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Gavin Vaughan

Publications and source records attributed to Gavin Vaughan.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Self-assembly, structure, and dynamic interconversion of metallosupramolecular architectures generated by Pb(II) binding-induced unfolding of a helical ligand.

The binding of lead(II) cations to the terpyridine-type subunits of the helical ligand 1 leads to the self-assembly of different polynuclear metallosupramolecular architectures of nanometric size. Three different entities are generated and may be interconverted as a function of metal/ligand stoichiometry: a [4 x 4]Pb(16)(II) grid-type array 2, a [4 # 4]Pb(12)(II) double-cross species 4, and an intermediate complex 3. The structures of 2 and 4 have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography; that of 3 is based on NMR spectral data. The interconversion of the three species generates dynamic diversity and represents an expression of constitutional dynamic chemistry. In the course of ion binding, the helical molecules of ligand 1 unwrap to yield fully extended strands arranged in perpendicular fashion in the architectures 2-4 generated. This process amounts to molecular motions in two directions which confer to the present systems characteristics of two-dimensional nanomechanical devices, capable of performing 2D-contraction/extension motions. The triple features of self-organization, dynamic interconversion, and potential addressability displayed by the processes described trace a self-fabrication approach to nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Journal Article↗

Self-organized heteroditopic macrocyclic superstructures.

[structure: see text] The synthesis of heteroditopic macrocyclic ureido receptors and of their NaX complexes is described. NMR studies and determination of the crystal structure show the formation of self-organized dimeric or polymeric superstructures by a cooperative macrocyclic cation complexation, anion-hydrogen bonding, and pi-pi stacking interactions. Membrane transport experiments show a direct relation between the synergetic ion-pair recognition and the transport properties of these molecular information transfer devices.

Journal Article↗

Dynamic chemical devices: generation of reversible extension/contraction molecular motion by ion-triggered single/double helix interconversion.

The polyheterocyclic strands 1-H and 2-H adopt a helical shape enforced by the pyridine-pyrimidine helicity codon. The crystal structure of 2-H shows the formation of stacks of dimers of right- and left-handed individual helices. Treatment of 1-H and 2-H with silver triflate results in the generation of double-helical entities 1-DH and 2-DH, containing two strands and two silver ions. NMR studies and determination of the crystal structure of 2-DH indicate that the duplex is stabilized by coordination of each Ag(+) ion to two terminal bipyridine units, one from each strand, and by pronounced pi-pi stacking interactions between the internal heterocycles of the strands, yielding a very robust double helical structure. Reversible interconversion of the single and double helix may be achieved by addition of a cryptand capable of sequestering Ag(+) and releasing it by protonation. Thus, successive addition of acid and base leads to reversible interconversion between the shorter ( approximately 3.6 A) single helix and the longer ( approximately 10.3 A) double helix, resulting in the generation of pronounced extension/contraction motion. The system 1,2-H/1,2-DH represents a dynamic chemical device undergoing ionic modulation of reversible molecular mechanical motion fueled by acid/base neutralization.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Metal complexes with 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,4-diazadiene ligands: synthesis, structures, and an intramolecular metal-mediated [4 + 2] cycloaddition employing a benzene ring as a dienophile.

2,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,4-diazadienes RN=C(PPh2)-C(PPh2)=NR (1a, R = 4-tolyl; 1b, R = 4-tert-butylphenyl; 1c, R = mesityl) were used as novel ligands for transition metals. The metal complexes [(1c)Mo(CO)4] (2a), [(1c)[Mo(CO)4]2] (2b), [(1a)Cu(Cl)(PPh3)] (3), and [(1b)[(NiBr2(THF))]2] (4) were characterized by elemental analysis, MS, and 31P[1H], 1H, and 13C NMR spectra (except the paramagnetic complex 4). Additionally, the molecular structure of the complexes in the solid state was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 2a and 2b the chelating ligand coordinates via the N,P donor set, whereas in 3 the chelating ligand coordinates via the two P atoms. 4 contains a square-planar (P,P)NiBr2 moiety on the one side of the bridging ligand 1b. On the opposite side the 1,2-dimine unit bonds to another Ni center having octahedral geometry. The bulkier ligand 1c reacts to form the mononuclear compound 5. X-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals shows that 5 contains a quinoxaline derivative with a cyclohexa-1,3-diene ring in the peripheral position. Furthermore, it contains a bis(diphenylphosphino)-ethylene unit coordinating the NiBr2. This arrangement is the result of an intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition between the 1,2-diimine unit (as diheterodiene) and the benzene ring of the 4-tolyl-N substituent (as dieneophile). The same type of ring-closing reaction followed by a tautomerization reaction to form the mononuclear compound 6 occurred by dissolution of the binuclear complex 4 in methanol. This reaction can be used as a simple method for the synthesis of novel 1,2-bis(diarylphosphanyl)ethylenes containing a quinoxaline backbone.

Journal Article↗