Endo-Functionalized Cyclic Oligophenylenes: Synthesis and Complexation with a Chiral Phosphoric Acid

The synthesis of endo-functionalized cyclic oligophenylenes in which adjacent benzene rings are perpendicular to one another is described. Annulation precursors, OH- or NH2-functionalized quinquephenyl diboronic acids, and septiphenyl dibromo compounds were systematically prepared by using a diprotected biphenyl-3,4′-diyl diboronic acid as a key compound. Four endo-functionalized cyclic oligophenylenes were synthesized by annulation of the precursors in dilute conditions through Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling. X-ray analysis of the macrocycle revealed the unique 1D channel packing structure formed by connecting the nanometer-sized cavity of the macrocycle. Furthermore, NH2-functionalized macrocycles could bind a chiral phosphoric acid in the cavity in CDCl3 solution.