Synthesis of Functionalized ABAC- and ABCD-Type Inherently Chiral Heteracalix[4]aromatics

Org Lett. 2023 Jul 14;25(27):5105-5110. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01830. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Abstract

Despite their interesting stereochemistry and potential applications in (supramolecular) chemistry and chiroptical materials, inherently chiral macrocyclic compounds remain rare and are largely unexplored. We report herein a fragment coupling method to construct ABAC- and ABCD-type inherently chiral heteracalix[4]aromatics. The synthesis involves SNAr CuI-catalyzed Ullmann coupling and aliphatic nucleophilic substitution reactions as key steps using readily available starting materials. Postmacrocyclization functionalization reactions enabled the production of amino-substituted and (benzo[d])imidazole-2-(thi)one-bearing heteracalix[4]aromatics. Enantiopure ABCD-type macrocycles were obtained from resolution.

MeSH terms

  • Calixarenes / chemistry
  • Macrocyclic Compounds*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Calixarenes