Palladium‐Templated Subcomponent Self‐Assembly of Macrocycles,Catenanes, and Rotaxanes

The reaction of 2,6‐diformylpyridine with diverse amines and Pd^II ions gave rise to a variety of metallosupramolecular species, in which the Pd^II ion is observed to template a tridentate bis(imino)pyridine ligand. These species included a mononuclear complex as well as [2+2] and [3+3] macrocycles. The addition of pyridine‐containing macrocyclic capping ligands allows for topological complexity to arise, thereby enabling the straightforward preparation of structures that include a [2]catenane, a [2]rotaxane, and a doubly threaded [3]rotaxane.     

Palladium‐Templated Subcomponent Self‐Assembly of Macrocycles,Catenanes, and Rotaxanes

The reaction of 2,6‐diformylpyridine with diverse amines and Pd^II ions gave rise to a variety of metallosupramolecular species, in which the Pd^II ion is observed to template a tridentate bis(imino)pyridine ligand. These species included a mononuclear complex as well as [2+2] and [3+3] macrocycles. The addition of pyridine‐containing macrocyclic capping ligands allows for topological complexity to arise, thereby enabling the straightforward preparation of structures that include a [2]catenane, a [2]rotaxane, and a doubly threaded [3]rotaxane.     

One‐ and two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymers constructed from 2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetate ligands

The one‐ and two‐dimensional polymorphic cadmium polycarboxylate coordination polymers, catena‐poly[bis[μ₂‐2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetato‐κ³N³:O,O′]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₁₀H₉N₂O₂)₂]_n, and poly[bis[μ₂‐2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetato‐κ³N³:O,O′]cadmium(II)], also [Cd(C₁₀H₉N₂O₂)₂]_n, were prepared under solvothermal conditions. In each structure, each Cd^II atom is coordinated by four O atoms and two N atoms from four different ligands. In the former structure, two crystallographically independent Cd^II atoms are located on twofold symmetry axes and doubly bridged in a μ₂‐N:O,O′‐mode by the ligands into correspondingly independent chains that run in the [100] and [010] directions. Chains containing crystallographically related Cd^II atoms are linked into sheets viaπ–π stacking interactions. Sheets containing one of the distinct types of Cd^II atom are stacked perpendicular to [001] and alternate with sheets containing the other type of Cd^II atom. The second complex is a two‐dimensional homometallic Cd^II (4,4) net structure in which each Cd^II atom is singly bridged to four neighbouring Cd^II atoms by four ligands also acting in a μ₂‐N:O,O′‐mode. A square‐grid network results and the three‐dimensional supramolecular framework is completed by π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic ring systems.     

meso‐Cumulenic 2H‐Corroles from meso‐Ethynyl‐3H‐corroles

Alkynyl‐substituted 3H‐corrole 9 a was converted to [3]cumulenic 2H‐corrole 10 a by treatment with trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl), and 1,3‐butadiyne‐bridged 3H‐corrole dimer 11 b was transformed into [5]cumulene‐bridged 2H‐corrole dimer 12 b by oxidation with PbO₂. Both 10 a and 12 b were metalated to form Zn^II complexes 10 a‐Zn and 12 b‐Zn . The structures of 10 a‐Zn and 12 b‐Zn show planar conformations with bond‐length alternations that are analogous to those of tetraaryl [n]cumulenes. The cumulenic corrole dimers 12 b and 12 b‐Zn display large NIR absorption bands in the range of 700–1400 nm (maximum ϵ≈1.0×10⁵ m ⁻¹ cm⁻¹) owing to the effective π‐conjugation between the two corrole units through the [5]cumulene bridge.     

catena‐Poly­[[di­aqua­cadmium(II)]‐μ‐5‐carboxyimidazole‐4‐carboxylato‐κ4N1,O5:O4,N3]

A new cadmium coordination polymer, [Cd(C₅H₂N₂O₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, possesses a one‐dimensional zigzag chain structure built from Cd^II centers bridged sequentially by pairs of O and N atoms of the 5‐carboxyimidazole‐4‐carboxylate ligand. The Cd^II center is in a distorted octahedral geometry, being coordinated by two O atoms from two coordinated water mol­ecules [Cd—O = 2.322 (7) and 2.364 (7) Å], and by two N atoms [Cd—N = 2.222 (6) and 2.232 (6) Å] and two carboxyl O atoms [Cd—O = 2.383 (6) and 2.414 (6) Å] from two 5‐carboxyimidazole‐4‐carboxylate ligands.     

Viologen‐Templated Arrays of Cucurbit[7]uril‐Modified Iron‐Oxide Nanoparticles

Magnetic and fluorescent assemblies of iron‐oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were constructed by threading a viologen‐based ditopic ligand, DPV²⁺, into the cavity of cucurbituril (CB[7]) macrocycles adsorbed on the surface of the NPs. Evidence for the formation of 1:2 inclusion complexes that involve DPV²⁺ and two CB[7] macrocycles was first obtained in solution by ¹H NMR and emission spectroscopy. DPV²⁺ was found to induce self‐assembly of nanoparticle arrays (DPV²⁺?CB[7]NPs) by bridging CB[7] molecules on different NPs. The resulting viologen‐crosslinked iron‐oxide nanoparticles exhibited increased saturation magnetization and emission properties. This facile supramolecular approach to NP self‐assembly provides a platform for the synthesis of smart and innovative materials that can achieve a high degree of functionality and complexity and that are needed for a wide range of applications.     

catena‐Poly[[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)copper(II)]‐μ‐(dihydrogen benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylato)‐κ2O1:O4]

In the title compound, [Cu(C₁₀H₄O₈)(C₁₂H₈N₂)]_n, the Cu^II cation has a four‐coordination environment completed by two N atoms from one 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) ligand and two O atoms belonging to two di­hydrogen benzene‐1,2,4,5‐­tetra­carboxyl­ate anions (H₂TCB²⁻). There is a twofold axis passing through the Cu^II cation and the centre of the phen ligand. The [Cu(phen)]²⁺ moieties are bridged by H₂TCB²⁻ anions to form an infinite one‐dimensional coordination polymer with a zigzag chain structure along the c axis. A double‐chain structure is formed by hydrogen bonds between adjacent zigzag chains. Furthermore, there are π–π stacking inter­actions between the phen ligands, with an average distance of 3.64 Å, resulting in a two‐dimensional network structure.     

The two‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[diaqua(μ2‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline)‐μ4‐sulfato‐μ3‐sulfato‐dicadmium(II)]

In the title coordination polymer, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₃H₈N₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, there are two crystallographically independent Cd^II centres with different coordination geometries. The first Cd^II centre is hexacoordinated by four O atoms of four sulfate ligands, one water O atom and one N atom of a 1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (IP) ligand, giving a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The second Cd^II centre is heptacoordinated by four O atoms of three sulfate ligands, one water O atom and two N atoms of one chelating IP ligand, resulting in a distorted monocapped anti‐trigonal prismatic geometry. The symmetry‐independent Cd^II ions are bridged in an alternating fashion by sulfate ligands, forming one‐dimensional ladder‐like chains which are connected through the IP ligands to form two‐dimensional layers. These two‐dimensional layers are linked by interlayer hydrogen bonds, leading to the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

The structures of three Hg2X4L2 macrocycles {X = Cl,Br and I,and L = 1,2‐bis[4‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenoxy]ethane} assembled from ether‐bridged dipyridyl ligands

The new ether‐bridged dipyridyl ligand 1,2‐bis[4‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenoxy]ethane (L) has been used to synthesize three isostructural centrosymmetric binuclear Hg^II macrocycles, namely bis{μ‐1,2‐bis[4‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenoxy]ethane‐κ²N:N′}bis[dichloridomercury(II)], [Hg₂Cl₄(C₂₄H₂₀N₂O₂)₂], and the bromido, [Hg₂Br₄(C₂₄H₂₀N₂O₂)₂], and iodido, [Hg₂I₄(C₂₄H₂₀N₂O₂)₂], analogues. The Hg atoms adopt a highly distorted tetrahedral coordination environment consisting of two halides and two pyridine N‐donor atoms from two bridging ligands. In the solid state, the macrocycles form two‐dimensional sheets in the bc plane through noncovalent Hg...X and X...X (X = Cl, Br and I) interactions.     

catena‐Poly­[bis­[(2,2‐bi­pyridine‐κ2N,N′)­copper(II)]‐μ4‐1,2,4,5‐benzene­tetra­carboxyl­ato‐κ4O1:O2:O3:O4]

In the title complex, [Cu₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]_n, the Cu^II cation has a four‐coordinated environment, completed by two carboxyl O atoms belonging to two 1,2,4,5‐benzene­tetra­carboxyl­ate anions (TCB⁴⁻) and two N atoms from one 2,2′‐bi­pyridine (2,2′‐bipy) ligand, forming a distorted square‐planar geometry. The [Cu(2,2′‐bipy)]²⁺ moieties are bridged by TCB⁴⁻ anions, which lie about inversion centres, forming an infinite one‐dimensional coordination polymer with a double‐chain structure along the a axis. A two‐dimensional network structure is formed via a face‐to‐face π–π interaction between the 2,2′‐bipy rings belonging to two adjacent double chains, at a distance of approximately 3.56 Å.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of an Unexpected Tetranuclear Zinc(II) Complex and a Benzoquinone Compound Derived from ZnII‐ and CdII‐Promoted Reactivity of Schiff Base Ligands

An unexpected polyhydroxyl‐bridged tetranuclear Zn^II complex and a benzoquinone compound derived from metal‐ion promoted reactivity of Schiff base ligands were synthesized and characterized. The reaction of zinc(II) acetate dihydrate with oxime‐type Schiff base ligand HL¹ [HL¹ = 1‐(3‐((3,5‐dibromosalicylaldehyde)amino)phenyl)ethan‐1‐one O‐benzyl oxime] in methanol, acetone, and acetonitrile resulted in the chemoselective cleavage of the C=N bond of the Schiff base HL¹, and then the further addition of acetone to two salicylaldehyde molecules derived from cleavage of the C=N bond in situ α,α double aldol reaction promoted by Zn^II ions. The newly formed ligands H₄L² coordinate to four Zn^II ions forming a defect‐dicubane core structure [Zn^II₄(H₂L²)₂(μ₃‐OCH₃)₂(μ‐OCH₃)₂(CH₃OH)₂] ( 1 ) bridged exclusively by oxygen‐based ligands. The similar ligand HL³ [HL³ = 1‐(3‐((3,5‐dichlorosalicylaldehyde)amino)phenyl)ethan‐1‐one O‐benzyl oxime)] was employed to react with Cd^II acetate dihydrate under the same reaction conditions. No aldol addition occurred but a unexpected benzoquinone compound 2,5‐bis(((3‐(1‐((benzyloxy)imino)ethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)‐1,4‐benzoquinone ( 2 ) formed. The results provided interesting insights into one‐pot routes involving in situ reactions act as a strategy for obtaining a variety of polymeric/polynuclear complexes which are inconvenient to obtain from directly presynthesizing the ligands.     

Synthesis of [n]Cyclo‐5,15‐porphyrinylene‐4,4′‐biphenylenes Displaying Size‐Dependent Excitation‐Energy Hopping

A set of 5,15‐biphenylene‐bridged porphyrin wheels, namely, [n]cyclo‐5,15‐porphyrinylene‐4,4′‐biphenylenes [n]CPB , have been synthesized through the platination of 5,15‐bis(4‐(pinacolboranyl)phenyl) nickel(II) porphyrin and subsequent reductive elimination of Pt^II(cod)‐bridged cyclic porphyrin intermediates. The calculated strain energies for [3]CPB , [4]CPB , [5]CPB , and [6]CPB are 49.3, 32.9, 23.5, and 16.0 kcal mol^?1, respectively. UV/Vis absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry indicated characteristic ring‐size‐dependent absorption‐peak shifts and redox‐potential shifts, which presumably reflect the degree of strain in the π‐systems. Excitation‐energy hopping (EEH) times were determined to be 5.1, 8.0, 8.0, and 9.6 ps for [3]CPB , [4]CPB , [5]CPB , and [6]CPB , respectively, in a pump‐power‐dependent TA experiment.     

A one‐dimensional chloride‐bridged PtII/PtIV mixed‐valence complex with a 4‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]benzenesulfonate counter‐ion

The title compound, catena‐poly[[[bis(ethylenediamine‐κ²N,N′)platinum(II)]‐ μ‐chlorido‐[bis(ethylenediamine)platinum(IV)]‐μ‐chlorido] tetrakis{4‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]benzenesulfonate} dihydrate], {[Pt^IIPt^IVCl₂(C₂H₈N₂)₄](HOC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄SO₃)₄·2H₂O}_n, has a linear chain structure composed of square‐planar [Pt(en)₂]²⁺ (en is ethylenediamine) and elongated octahedral trans‐[PtCl₂(en)₂]²⁺ cations stacked alternately, bridged by Cl atoms, along the b axis. The Pt atoms are located on an inversion centre, while the Cl atoms are disordered over two sites and form a zigzag ...Cl—Pt^IV—Cl...Pt^II... chain, with a Pt^IV—Cl bond length of 2.3140 (14) Å, an interatomic Pt^II...Cl distance of 3.5969 (15) Å and a Pt^IV—Cl...Pt^II angle of 170.66 (6)°. The structural parameter indicating the mixed‐valence state of the Pt atom, expressed by δ = (Pt^IV—Cl)/(Pt^II...Cl), is 0.643.     

Two‐Dimensional Holo‐ and Hemidirected Lead(II) Coordination Polymers: Synthetic,Spectroscopic, Thermal,and Structural Studies of [Pb(μ‐SCN)2(μ‐ebp)1.5]n and {[Pb(μ‐OAc)(μ‐ebp)](ClO4)}n (ebp=4,4′‐[(1E)‐Ethane‐1,2‐diyl]bis[pyridine]; OAc=Acetato)

Two new coordination polymers of Pb^II complexes with bridging 4,4′‐[(1E)‐ethane‐1,2‐diyl]bis[pyridine] (ebp), thiocyanato, and acetato ligands, [Pb(μ‐SCN)₂(μ‐ebp)_1.5]_n ( 1 ) and {[Pb(μ‐OAc)(μ‐ebp)](ClO₄)}_n ( 2 ), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, thermal analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In 1 , the Pb²⁺ ions are doubly bridged by both the ebp and the SCN⁻ ligands into a two‐dimensional polymeric network. The seven‐coordinate geometry around the Pb²⁺ ion in 1 is a distorted monocapped trigonal prism, in which the Pb²⁺ ions have a less‐common holodirected geometry. In 2 , the Pb²⁺ ions are bridged by AcO⁻ ligands forming linear chains, which are also further bridged by the neutral ebp ligands into a two‐dimensional polymeric framework. The Pb²⁺ ions have a five‐coordinate geometry with two N‐atoms from two ebp ligands and three O‐atoms of AcO⁻. Although ClO acts as a counter‐ion, it also makes weak interactions with the Pb²⁺ center. The arrangement of the ligands in 2 exhibits hemidirected geometry, and the coordination gap around the Pb²⁺ ion is possibly occupied by a configurationally active lone pair of electrons.     

EPR‐spektroskopische Charakterisierung (X‐, Q‐Band) monomerer AgII‐ und AuII‐Komplexe der Thiakronenether [12]anS4, [16]anS4, [18]anS6 und [27]anS9

EPR Spectroscopic Characterization (X‐, Q‐Band) of Monomeric Ag^II‐ and Au^II‐Complexes of the Thiacrownethers [12]aneS₄, [16]aneS₄, [18]aneS₆ and [27]aneS₉ The reaction of the prepared Ag^I complexes of the thiacrownethers [12]aneS₄, [16]aneS₄, [18]aneS₆ and [27]aneS₉ with c. H₂SO₄ as well as the reaction of [Au^IIICl₄]^‐ with [18]aneS₆ and [27]aneS₉ leads to labile Ag^II‐ (4d⁹, ^{107, 109}Ag: I=1/2) and Au^II‐ (5d⁹, ¹⁹⁷Au: I=3/2) thiacrownether complexes, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ and Q‐band EPR. The EPR spectra of [Ag^II([12]anS₄)]²⁺ and [Ag^II([18]anS₆)]²⁺ were reinvestigated. According to an analysis of the spin‐density distribution only 20 ‐ 25 % is located on the Ag or Au atoms. Most of the spin‐density was found to be on the S donor atoms of the thiacrownethers. The high delocalization of the spin‐density leads certainly to a noticeable reduction of the Ag^I/Ag^II redox potential and is considered as being mainly responsible for the easy accessibility of the Ag^II compounds.     

Tetranuclear and One‐dimensional Cobalt Complexes with 5‐tert‐Butyl Isophthalic Acid and Chelating Neutral Ligands

Two new Co^II coordination polymers [Co₄(tbip)₄(bipy)₄(H₂O)₄] ( 1 ) and [Co(tbip)(phen)(H₂O)] · H₂O ( 2 ) (H₂tbip = 5‐tert‐butyl isophthalic acid, bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a tbip‐bridged tetranuclear cobalt(II) complex, which is further linked by hydrogen bonds to form a supramolecular network. Compound 2 shows a tbip‐bridged linear chain structure, which is extended by hydrogen bonds to generate a double chain. Magnetic measurements show that there are weak ferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co^II ions in 1 .     

The coordination chemistry of two symmetric double‐armed oxadiazole‐bridged organic ligands with copper salts

Two new symmetric double‐armed oxadiazole‐bridged ligands, 4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐3‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐3‐carboxylate (L1) and 4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐4‐carboxylate (L2), were prepared by the reaction of 2,5‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole with nicotinoyl chloride and isonicotinoyl chloride, respectively. Ligand L1 can be used as an organic clip to bind Cu^II cations and generate a molecular complex, bis(4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐3‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐3‐carboxylate)bis(perchlorato)copper(II), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₂₈H₂₀N₄O₅)₂], (I). In compound (I), the Cu^II cation is located on an inversion centre and is hexacoordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry, with the pyridine N atoms of two L1 ligands in the equatorial positions and two weakly coordinating perchlorate counter‐ions in the axial positions. The two arms of the L1 ligands bend inward and converge at the Cu^II coordination point to give rise to a spirometallocycle. Ligand L2 binds Cu^I cations to generate a supramolecule, diacetonitriledi‐μ₃‐iodido‐di‐μ₂‐iodido‐bis(4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐4‐carboxylate)tetracopper(I), [Cu₄I₄(CH₃CN)₂(C₂₈H₂₀N₄O₅)₂], (II). The asymmetric unit of (II) indicates that it contains two Cu^I atoms, one L2 ligand, one acetonitrile ligand and two iodide ligands. Both of the Cu^I atoms are four‐coordinated in an approximately tetrahedral environment. The molecule is centrosymmetric and the four I atoms and four Cu^I atoms form a rope‐ladder‐type [Cu₄I₄] unit. Discrete units are linked into one‐dimensional chains through π–π interactions.     

Di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis{[bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine‐κ3N′,N′′,N′′′]copper(II)} bis(perchlorate)

The title compund, [Cu₂(OH)₂(C₂₂H₂₅N₃)₂](ClO₄)₂, is a copper(II) dimer, with two [CuL]²⁺ units [L is bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine] bridged by hydroxide groups to define the {[CuL](μ‐OH)₂[CuL]}²⁺ cation. Charge balance is provided by perchlorate counter‐anions. The cation has a crystallographic inversion centre halfway between the Cu^II ions, which are separated by 3.0161 (8) Å. The central core of the cation is an almost regular Cu₂O₂ parallelogram of sides 1.931 (2) and 1.935 (2) Å, with a Cu—O—Cu angle of 102.55 (11)°. The coordination geometry around each Cu^II centre can be best described as a square‐based pyramid, with three N atoms from L ligands and two hydroxide O atoms completing the coordination environment. Each cationic unit is hydrogen bonded to two perchlorate anions by means of hydroxide–perchlorate O—H...O interactions.     

A novel two‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer with 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl­methyl)­benzene

In the crystal structure of the title complex, poly­[[di­azidocobalt(II)]‐di‐μ‐1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl­methyl)­benzene‐κ⁴N⁴:N^4′], [Co(N₃)₂(bbtz)₂]_n, where bbtz is 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl­methyl)­benzene (C₁₂H₁₂N₆), the Co^II atom, which lies on an inversion centre, is six‐coordinated by four N atoms from four bbtz ligands and by two N atoms from two azide ligands, in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The Co^II atoms are bridged by four bbtz ligands to form a two‐dimensional [4,4]‐network.     

Formation and Geometrical Control of Polygon‐Like Metal‐Coordination Assemblies

Polygon‐like [2+2]‐ and [3+3]‐type metal complexes were prepared from dipyrrin dimers connected by acute‐angled spacers. The electrical conduction depends strongly on the packing alignment of the compounds, revealing the presence of effective hopping pathways for holes with relatively high mobility up to 0.11 cm² V^?1 s^?1 along the aligned axis of [3+3]‐type metal‐bridged assemblies. These observations correlated with the geometrical control of the π‐conjugated metal complexes in the cyclic structures, which enables their ordered arrangement in the assemblies.