Coplanarity by hydrogen bonding in well-defined oligoheterocycles

(Hetero)aryl-aryl coupling for covalent bonding and intramol. hydrogen bond formation for establishing the secondary structure have been united to design and construct well-defined, functionalized macromols. The suitability of azaheterocyclic units to realize this concept is exemplified by star shaped discotic liq. cryst. compds. and ladder-type conjugated copolymers. A review with >40 ref

Deracemisations under kinetic and thermodynamic control

Deracemisation reactions occur when a racemic mixture is converted into a nonracemic mixture by increasing the quantity of one enantiomer at the expense of the other. This process can take place under thermodynamic control, but when combined with crystallisation processes kinetic factors also play a role. This review summarises the different approaches that have been taken to achieve efficient deracemisations. Starting from examples in which spontaneous symmetry breaking was found to occur, attrition enhanced deracemisation will be discussed in which solid-solution equilibria drive the deracemisation process. The combination of detailed experimental studies and mathematical models resulted in a profound understanding of this complex process, which is applicable to all congomerate forming compounds with a racemisable stereocenter. Then, we focus on deracemisations that occur under full thermodynamic control. Especially the combination of supramolecular interactions with a racemisation process gives interesting results, albeit that they are less predictable. The review will end with the possibilities supramolecular helical structures that show dynamic helicity can offer in conjunction with asymmetric catalysis. Herein, the helical preference induced by a minute amount of chiral compound is relayed to high enantiomeric excesses in a variety of reactions

Hydrolases in polymer chemistry:chemoenzymatic approaches to polymeric materials

Lipases show high activity in the polymerization of a range of monomers using ring-opening polymerization and polycondensation. The range of polymer structures from this enzymatic polymerization can be further increased by combination with chemical methods. This paper reviews the developments of the last 5-8 years in chemoenzymatic strategies towards polymeric materials. Special emphasis is on the synthesis of polymer architectures like block and graft copolymers and polymer networks. Moreover, the combination of chemical and enzymatic catalysis for the synthesis of unique chiral polymers is highlighted.</p