The dynamic properties of foldamers, synthetic molecules that mimic folded biomolecules, have mainly been explored in free solution. We report on the design, synthesis, and conformational behavior of photoresponsive foldamers bound in a phospholipid bilayer akin to a biological membrane phase. These molecules contain a chromophore, which can be switched between two configurations by different wavelengths of light, attached to a helical synthetic peptide that both promotes membrane insertion and communicates conformational change along its length. Light-induced structural changes in the chromophore are translated into global conformational changes, which are detected by monitoring the solid-state (19)F nuclear magnetic resonance signals of a remote fluorine-containing residue located 1 to 2 nanometers away. The behavior of the foldamers in the membrane phase is similar to that of analogous compounds in organic solvents.

Suitably substituted enantioenriched 4-aryl-1,4-dihydro-pyridines prepared by an organocatalytic enantioselective Michael addition were oxidized with MnO2 into axially chiral 4-arylpyridines with central-to-axial chirality conversion. Moderate to complete percentages (cp) were observed, and a model for the conversion of chirality is discussed.

The gold­(I)-catalyzed reaction of bromoalkynes with allylsilanes gives 1,4-enynes in a formal cross-coupling reaction. Mechanistic studies revealed the involvement of gold­(I) vinylidenes or vinylidenephenonium gold­(I) cations depending on the substituent on the bromoalkyne. In the case of bromo arylalkynes, the vinylidenephenonium gold­(I) cations lead to 1,4-enynes via a 1,2-aryl rearrangement. The same reactivity has been observed in the presence of InBr3.