Units of 2-ureido-4-pyrimidone that dimerize strongly in a self-complementary array of four cooperative hydrogen bonds were used as the associating end group in reversible self-assembling polymer systems. The unidirectional design of the binding sites prevents uncontrolled multidirectional association or gelation. Linear polymers and reversible networks were formed from monomers with two and three binding sites, respectively. The thermal and environmental control over lifetime and bond strength makes many properties, such as viscosity, chain length, and composition, tunable in a way not accessible to traditional polymers. Hence, polymer networks with thermodynamically controlled architectures can be formed, for use in, for example, coatings and hot melts, where a reversible, strongly temperature-dependent rheology is highly advantageous.

6-Methyl-2-butylureidopyrimidone dimerizes via four hydrogen bonds in the solid state as well as in CHCl3 solution via a donor−donor−acceptor−acceptor (DDAA) array of hydrogen bonding sites in the 4[1H]-pyrimidinone tautomer. An intramolecular hydrogen bond from the pyrimidine NH group to the urea oxygen atom preorganizes the molecules for dimerization. The dimerization constant of the dimer in CHCl3 exceeds 106 M-1. In CHCl3 containing DMSO, the dimer is in equilibrium with the monomeric 6[1H]-pyrimidinone tautomer. In 6-phenyl-2-butylureidopyrimidone, the 4[1H]-pyrimidinone tautomer coexists with the pyrimidin-4-ol form, which dimerizes with similar high dimerization constants via four hydrogen bonds in a DADA array. The latter tautomer predominates in derivatives with electronegative 6-substituents, like 6-nitrophenyl- and 6-trifluoromethyl-2-butylureidopyrimidone. Due to its simple preparation and high dimerization constant, the ureidopyrimidone functionality is a useful building block for supramolecular chemistry.

The association behavior of several 2,4-diamino-s-triazines, 2,6-diaminopyridines, and their acylated derivatives with uracil derivatives was studied. In solution 1H-NMR and IR spectroscopy were used, and in the solid state as (co)crystals X-ray diffraction was used. Acylation of 2,6-diaminopyridine leads to an increase of the association constant in CDCl3 of the complexes with N-propylthymine from 84 to 440−920 M-1, whereas acylation of diamino-s-triazines leads to a dramatic fall in the association constant of the complexes with N-propylthymine from 890 to ca. 6 M-1. This phenomenon is related to different conformational preferences of these compounds. The amide groups in bis(acylamino)pyridines prefer a trans conformation, with the carbonyl group anti with respect to the ring nitrogen and coplanar with the aromatic ring. The amides of bis(acylamino)triazines, however, reside predominantly in a cis conformation. Repulsive secondary electrostatic interactions between the cis-amide and uracil carbonyl groups are thought to be responsible for the low association constant of complexes of bis(acylamino)triazines with uracils. The relatively high dimerization constants of bis(acylamino)triazines have been rationalized by the strong tendency to dimerize via quadruple hydrogen bonding.

Telechelic oligo- and poly(dimethylsiloxanes) 1 and 2, with two ureidopyrimidone (UPy) functional groups, have been prepared via a hydrosilylation reaction. The compounds have been characterized in solution by 1H NMR and viscometry and in the solid state by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, FTIR, and rheology measurements. The measurements show that the UPy groups of 1 and 2 are associated via quadruple hydrogen bonds in a donor−donor−acceptor−acceptor (DDAA) array. In many aspects, the materials behave like entangled, high molecular weight polymers. Compound 2 has a T g at −119 °C and shows melting of microcrystalline domains of associated UPy units at −25 °C. Compound 1 has a crystalline form (T m = 112 °C) and an amorphous modification with a T g of 25 °C. Solid-state NMR was used to investigate the mobility of these phases. WISE spectra show a higher mobility of the UPy groups in the amorphous phase than in the crystals of 1. Amorphous 1 and 2 behave like entangled polymers. Their mechanical behavior is characterized by a rubbery plateau and a relatively high activation enthalpy for stress relaxation (ΔH = 127 kJ/mol for 1; ΔH = 54 kJ/mol for 2), which was derived from the temperature dependence of the zero-shear viscosity. Estimates for the degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 and 2, based on the mechanical properties, give DP > 100 for 1 and approximately 20 for 2. Like in condensation polymerization, the DP's of reversible supramolecular polymers are presumably limited by the presence of small amounts of monofunctional impurities.

Highly stable dimers are formed in solution and in the solid state by a class of readily synthesized, self‐complementary building blocks for supramolecular chemistry, which associate through a donor‐acceptor‐donor‐acceptor array of four hydrogen‐bonding sites. An additional intramolecular hydrogen bond in the compound whose crystal structure is shown on the right preorganizes the molecule for dimerization.

(1997). Crystal engineering of melamine -imide complexes: tuning the stoichiometry by steric hindrance of the imide carbonyl groups. Angewandte Chemie -International Edition, 36(9), 969-971.

Sehr stabile Dimere einer Klasse leicht zugänglicher selbstkomplementärer Bausteine für supramolekulare Aggregate bilden sich in Lösung und im Festkörper durch Assoziation über eine Donor‐Acceptor‐Donor‐Acceptor‐Anordnung von vier H‐Brückenköpfen. Eine weitere, intramolekulare H‐Brücke in dem rechts gezeigten Molekül (Struktur im Kristall) präorganisiert dieses für die Dimerisierung.

Because of the promising performance in olefin polymerization of 2,2'-bis(2-indenyldiyl)biphenyl zirconium dichloride, we developed a new and broadly applicable route to 2,2'-bis(2-indenyl)biphenyl derivatives. Reaction of the known 2,2'-diiodobiphenyl (26) with the new 2-indenyl boronic acid (23) did not result in the desired 2,2'-bis(2-indenyl)biphenyl (10); instead an isomer thereof, (spiro-1,1-(2,2'-biphenyl)-2-(2-indenyl)indane) (27), was obtained. It was found that compound 10 could be made via a palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2,2-biphenyldiboronic acid (31) with 2-bromoindene (21) under standard Suzuki reaction conditions. However, the yield of this reaction was low at low palladium catalyst loadings, due to a competitive hydrolysis reaction of 2,2-biphenyldiboronic acid (31). HTE techniques were used to find an economically viable protocol. Thus, use of the commercially available 1.0 molar solution of (n-Bu)(4)NOH in methanol with cosolvent toluene led to precipitation of the pure product in a fast and clean reaction, using only 0.7 mol % (0.35 mol % per C-C) of the expensive palladium catalyst.