Concise Synthesis of Molecular Hyperboloids by Oligomeric Macrocyclization of Octagonal Molecules

Abstract

Molecular hyperboloids were designed and synthesized. The synthesis was achieved by development of oligomeric macrocyclization of an octagonal molecule with a saddle shape. The saddle-shaped molecule, that is, [8]cyclo-meta-phenylene ([8]CMP), was decorated with two linkers for the oligomeric macrocyclization and was synthetically assembled by Ni-mediated Yamamoto coupling. Three congeners of the molecular hyperboloids (2mer-4mer) were obtained, and 2mer and 3mer were subjected to X-ray crystallographic analysis. Crystal structures revealed nanometer-sized hyperboloidal structures with 96π and 144π electrons, which also possessed nanopores on the curved molecular structures. Structures of [8]CMP cores of the molecular hyperboloids were compared with those of saddle-shaped phenine [8]circulene with a negative Gauss curvature to confirm their structural resemblance, which suggests further explorations of expanded networks of molecular hyperboloids.