Design and self-assembly of ditopic and tetratopic cavitand complexes

The self-assembly of open ditopic and tetratopic cavitand complexes has been investigated by using monofunctionalized cavitand ligands and suitable metal precursors. In the case of ditopic complexes, self-assembly protocols, leading exclusively to the formation of both thermodynamically stable cis-Pt square-planar complexes 8 and 9 and the kinetically inert fac-Re octahedral complex 14, have been elaborated. The use of cis-[Pt(CH3)CN)2Cl2] as metal precursor led to the formation of monotopic trans-10 and ditopic trans-11 cavitand complexes, while cis-[Pt(dmso)2Cl2] afforded both cis-13 and trans-11 isomers. The self-assembly of tetratopic cavitand complexes has been achieved by using mononuclear [Pd(CH3CN)4(BF4)2] and dinuclear [M2(tppb)(OTf)4] (19: M = Pt; 20: M = Pd) metal precursors. Only the tetratopic dinuclear complexes 21 and 22 were stable. The ligand configuration with two phosphorus and two cavitand ligands at the metal centers is the most appropriate to build tetratopic cavitand complexes with sufficient kinetic stability.     

Cavitand-based nanoscale coordination cages

This communication reports design, self-assembly, solution, and solid-state characterization of nanoscale coordination cages formed by tetradentate cavitand ligands and appropriate metal precursors. The preorganization of the cavitand ligand in terms of structural rigidity and relative orientation of the pyridyl units leads to the exclusive formation of coordination cages in a wide temperature and concentration range. Desired features of the cage self-assembly process, such as reversibility in the presence of a competitive ligand and self-recognition of the cavitand components, have been assessed.     

Self-assembly and anion encapsulation properties of cavitand-based coordination cages

Two novel classes of cavitand-based coordination cages 7a--j and 8a--d have been synthesized via self-assembly procedures. The main factors controlling cage self-assembly (CSA) have been identified in (i) a P--M--P angle close to 90 degrees between the chelating ligand and the metal precursor, (ii) Pd and Pt as metal centers, (iii) a weakly coordinated counterion, and (iv) preorganization of the tetradentate cavitand ligand. Calorimetric measurements and dynamic (1)H and (19)F NMR experiments indicated that CSA is entropy driven. The temperature range of the equilibrium cage-oligomers is determined by the level of preorganization of the cavitand component. The crystal structure of cage 7d revealed the presence of a single triflate anion encapsulated. Guest competition experiments revealed that the encapsulation preference of cages 7b,d follows the order BF(4)(-) > CF(3)SO(3)(-) > PF(6)(-) at 300 K. ES-MS experiments coupled to molecular modeling provided a rationale for the observed encapsulation selectivities. The basic selectivity pattern, which follows the solvation enthalpy of the guests, is altered by size and shape of the cavity, allowing the entrance of an ancillary solvent molecule only in the case of BF(4)(-).     

Cyclopentadienylrhodium coordination to alkenylarenes

Photochemical reaction of [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))(C(2)H(4))(2)] (5) with alkenyl benzene derivatives PhC(R(1))=CHR(2) results in the formation of four types of cyclopentadienylrhodium complexes: the mononuclear ethylene eta(2)-alkenylbenzene complexes [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))(eta-C(2)H(4))(eta(2)-PhC(R(1))=CHR(2))] 9 a (R(1)=H, R(2)=Ph), 9 b (R(1)=Ph, R(2)=H), 9 c (R(1)=CH(3), R(2)=H), the mononuclear eta(4)-alkenylbenzene complex [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))[beta,alpha,1,2-eta-C(6)H(5)C(Ph)=CH(2)]] (10), the dinuclear mu-eta(4):eta(4)-alkenylbenzene complex [anti-[Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))](2)[mu-beta,alpha,1,2-eta:3,4,5,6-eta-C(6)H(5)C(Ph)C=CH(2)]] (11), and the dinuclear rhodaindenyl complexes [Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))[1-3,8,9-eta-[1-(eta-C(5)H(5))]-3-R(1)-1-rhodaindenyl]] 12 a (R(1)=Ph), 12 b (R(1)=CH(3)). Reaction of 5 with triisopropenylbenzene gives the dinuclear complex [[Rh(eta-C(5)H(5))](2)(mu-beta,alpha,1,2-eta:beta',alpha',4,3-eta-C(6)H(3)[C(CH(3))=CH(2)](3))] (13). In the complexes 9, only the olefinic side chain of the alkenylbenzene binds to the metal. In the complexes 10, 11, 12, and 13, an arene nucleus coordinates to rhodium as a 1,3-diene moiety (or part thereof). The rhodaindenyl complexes 12 result from C-H activation of the alkenylbenzene at the beta and ortho positions. The crystal and molecular structures of 9 a, 9 b, 10, 11, and 12 a, b were determined. The role of 9-11 and 13 as models for intermediates during alkenylbenzene-assisted self-assembly of tricobalt clusters is discussed.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Three Metal Carbonyl Complexes Based on Pyridyl Side Chain Functionalized Tetramethylcyclopentadienyl Ligand

Thermal treatment of the pyridyl side chain functionalized tetramethyl cyclopentadiene C5Me4CH2(C5H4N) with Fe(CO)5, Ru3(CO)12 and Mo(CO)6 in refluxing xylene respectively gave the corresponding dinuclear metal carbonyl complexes 1~3. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectra. The molecular structures of 1~3 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Dinuclear Complexes of Flexidentate Pyridine-Substituted Formazanate Ligands

The utility of flexidentate pyridyl-substituted formazanate ligands for assembling dinuclear coordination complexes with iridium(III) and/or platinum(II) building blocks is demonstrated herein. The dinuclear complexes are prepared either via a stepwise strategy, adding one metal unit at a time, or via one-pot self-assembly. Eight of the new complexes, including both mononuclear precursors and dinuclear products, are structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy, revealing several distinct binding modes of the formazanates. All complexes are characterized by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The frontier orbitals are primarily localized on the formazanate ligand, and a characteristic, intense formazanate-centered π→π* absorption band is observed in the absorption spectra.     

Heteroleptic metal alkoxide "oxoclusters" as molecular models for the sol-gel synthesis of perovskite nanoparticles for bio-imaging applications

Systematic structural study of the molecules, resulting from microhydrolysis of heterometallic beta-diketonate alkoxides of barium and strontium (single-source precursors of perovskite oxide materials), demonstrates that the structures of these products result from a thermodynamically driven self-assembly of metal cations and ligands directed towards the most densely packed cores. The ratio between metal cations, and of the cations to bidentate heteroligands, is easily changed to enable the highest packing density. The key to the application of single-source precursors appears to be the use of stoichiometric or superstoichiometric water amounts together with solvents preventing diffusion of possible homometallic intermediates. Eu-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles have been successfully obtained and characterized.     

Dissymmetrical U‐Shaped π‐Stacked Supramolecular Assemblies by Using a Dinuclear CuI Clip with Organophosphorus Ligands and Monotopic Fully π‐Conjugated Ligands

Reactions between the U‐shaped binuclear Cu^I complex A that bears short metal–metal distances and the cyano‐capped monotopic π‐conjugated ligands 1 – 5 that carry gradually bulkier polyaromatic terminal fragments lead to the formation of π‐stacked supramolecular assemblies 6 – 10 , respectively, in yields of 50–80 %. These derivatives have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopic analysis and X‐ray diffraction studies. Their solid‐state structures show the selective formation of U‐shaped supramolecular assemblies in which two monotopic π‐conjugated systems present large ( 6 , 7 , and 9 ) or medium ( 8 and 10 ) intramolecular π overlap, thus revealing π–π interactions. These assemblies self‐organize into head‐to‐tail π‐stacked dimers that in turn self‐assemble to afford infinite columnar π stacks. The nature, extent, and complexity of the intermolecular contacts within the head‐to‐tail π‐stacked dimer depend on the nature of the terminal polyaromatic fragment carried by the cyano‐capped monotopic ligand, but it does not alter the result of the self‐assembling process. These results demonstrate that the dinuclear molecular clip A that bears short metal–metal distances allows selective supramolecular assembly processes driven by the formation of intra‐ and intermolecular short π–π interactions in the resulting self‐assembled structures; thus, demonstrating that their shape is not only dictated by the symmetry of the building blocks. This approach opens perspectives toward the formation of extended π‐stacked columns based on dissymmetrical and functional π‐conjugated systems.     

Multicomponent Self-assembly:Spontaneous Formation of a Metallomacrocycle from Two Quinoline Based Linear Ligands and Four Silver(Ⅰ) Nitrates

Using metal ions to control the self-assembly of metallosupramolecules of varying architecture is one of the fascinating developments in supramolecular chemistry[1,2],particularly those concerned with the deliberate construction of molecular aggregates,like helices,rotaxanes,catenanes,knots,cages[3～6] and the crystal engineering of two or three dimensional networks with varied topology and interpenetration[7～10].Coordination bonds have proved themselves to be one of the most useful connectors in supramolecular self-assembly due to their versatile geometrical modes(e.g.linear,trigonal,square plane,tetrahedral,octahedral) in bond formations.By careful design of tailored ligands,various novel supramolecular architectures have been constructed.Recently,angular bi- or tridentate and other polydentate ligands have aroused a special interest,and a variety of molecular squares,boxes and cages[1～14] with internal cavity or void have been reported,in which many nanoscale structures are formed[6,15,16].We have been interested in the construction of metal based supramolecular structures with polydentate ligands[17～20] and herein report a new metallomacrocyclic complex assembled from two linear polydentate ligands and silver(Ⅰ) nitrate.     

Complete selection of a self-assembling homo- or hetero-cavitand cage via metal coordination based on ligand tuning

Selective formation of a homo- or hetero-cavitand cage via metal-coordination, by using tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand (1), tetrakis(4-pyridylethynyl)-cavitand (2), or tetrakis(4-cyanophenyl)-cavitand (3) as deep cavitand ligands and Pd(dppp)(OTf)2 (4) as a connector, has been investigated by 1H NMR and CSI-MS. When the cavitand and 4 were mixed in CDCl3 in a 2:4 molar ratio, 1 gave a complicated mixture, whereas 2 or 3 formed a homo-cavitand cage {2(2).4[Pd(dppp)]}8+.8(TfO-) (5) or {2(3).4[Pd(dppp)]}8+.8(TfO-) (6), respectively, as a single species. In a 1:1:4 mixture of 2, 3, and 4, homo-cavitand cages 5 and 6 were observed in a 1:1 ratio. In marked contrast, a mixture of 1, 3, and 4 in a 1:1:4 ratio was exclusively self-assembled into a hetero-cavitand cage {1.3.4[Pd(dppp)]}8+.8(TfO-) (7). The selectivity for the self-assembly of the homo- or hetero-cavitand cage via metal coordination would arise from a combination of factors such as coordination ability and steric demand of cavitand ligands.     

The versatile, efficient, and stereoselective self-assembly of transition-metal helicates by using hydrogen-bonds

A diverse range of dinuclear double-stranded helicates in which the ligand strand is built up by using hydrogen-bonding has been synthesized. The helicates, formulated as [Co(2)(L)(2)(L-H)(2)X(2)], readily self-assemble from a mixture of a suitable pyridine-alcohol compound (L; for example, 6-methylpyridine-2-methanol, 1), and a CoX(2) salt in the presence of base. Nine such helicates have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. For helicates derived from the same pyridine-alcohol precursor, a remarkable regularity was found for both the molecular structure and the crystal packing arrangements, regardless of the nature of the ancillary ligand (X). A notable exception was observed in the solid-state structure of [Co(2)(1)(2)(1-H)(2)(NCS)(2)] for which intermolecular nonbonded contacts between the sulfur atoms (SS=3.21 A) lead to the formation of 1D chains. Helicates derived from (R)-6-methylpyridine-2-methanol (2) are soluble in solvents such as CH(3)CN and CH(2)Cl(2), and their self-assembly could be monitored in solution by (1)H NMR, UV/Vis, and CD titrations. No intermediate complexes were observed to form in a significant concentration at any point throughout these titrations. The global thermodynamic stability constant of [Co(2)(2)(2)(2-H)(2)(NO(3))(2)] was calculated from spectrophotometric data to be logbeta=8.9(8). The stereoisomerism of these helicates was studied in some detail and the self-assembly process was found to be highly stereoselective. The chirality of the ligand precursors can control the absolute configuration of the metal centers and thus the overall helicity of the dinuclear assemblies. Furthermore, the enantiomers of rac-6-methylpyridine-2-methanol (3) undergo a self-recognition process to form exclusively homochiral helicates in which the four pyridine-alcohol units possess the same chirality.     

Self-assembly of Asymmetric Dimer Particles in Supported Copolymer Bilayer

Using self-consistent field and density functional theories, we investigate the self-assembly behavior of asymmetric dimer particles in a supported AB block copolymer bilayer. Asym-metric dimer particles are amphiphilic molecules composed by two different spheres. One prefers to A block of copolymers and the other likes B block when they are introduced into the copolymer bilayer. The two layer structure of the dimer particles is formed within the bilayer. Due to the presence of the substrate surface, the symmetry of the two leaflets of the bilayer is broken, which may lead to two different layer structures of dimer particles within each leaflet of the bilayer. With the increasing concentration of the asymmetric dimer particles, in-plane structure of the dimer particles undergoes sparse square, hexagonal, dense square, and cylindrical structures. In a further condensed packing, a bending cylindrical structurecomes into being. Here we verify that the entropic effect of copolymers, the enthalpy of the system and the steric repulsion of the dimer particles are three important factors determing the self-assembly of dimer particles within the supported copolymer bilayer.     

Homo- and heterobimetallic niobium(v) and tantalum(v) peroxo-tartrate complexes and their use as molecular precursors for Nb-Ta mixed oxides

New water-soluble bimetallic peroxo-tartrato complexes of niobium(V) and/or tantalum(V) have been prepared, characterized from the structural and spectroscopic point of view, and used as molecular precursors for Nb-Ta mixed oxides. Two new homometallic complexes, (gu)5[Nb2(O2)4(tart)(Htart)] x 4H2O (1a) and (gu)6[Ta2(O2)4(tart)2] x 4H2O (2a), and the corresponding heterometallic complex, (gu)5[NbTa(O2)4(tart)(Htart)] x 4H2O (3), have been obtained. The crystal structures of the homometallic compounds, (gu)5[Nb2(O2)4(tart)(Htart)] x 6H2O x 1H2O2 (1b) and (gu)6[Ta2(O2)4(tart)2] x 6H2O (2b), have been determined, showing, for both cases, two 8-fold-coordinated metal atoms, each surrounded by oxygen atoms belonging to two bidentate peroxides, two monodentate carboxylato, and two alkoxo groups from both bridging tartrato ligands. The coordination polyhedron around each metal atom is a dodecahedron. The thermal treatment of complexes 1a, 2a, and 3 in air at 700 or 800 degrees C, depending of the Ta content, provided Nb2O5, Ta2O5, and the solid solution TaNbO5, respectively. The thermal treatment of a 1:1 Nb/Ta molar ratio mixture of 1a and 2a has also been studied. BET and SEM measurements have been carried out and reveal these oxides possess relatively high specific surface areas and display a porous character. Comparison between the use of homo- and heterometallic precursors is discussed.     

Self-assembly of a cavitand-based heteronuclear coordination cage

A new self-assembly protocol leading to the formation of heteronuclear coordination cage 10 is reported. Reaction of tetradentate cavitand ligand 1, bearing one ethynylpyridine and three benzonitriles at the apical positions, with Pt(dppp)OTf₂ and Pd(dppp)OTf₂ in a 1:3 ratio yields 10 as the thermodynamic product. Under the same conditions, the self-assembly of 1 with either Pt or Pd metal precursors gives a mixture of isomeric homonuclear cages 8a-c or 9a-c, respectively.     

Preparation of NHC-substituted phosphitepalladacycles

The preparation of unsaturated NHC-substituted phosphitepalladacycles via phosphitepalladacycle acetato and chloro precursors and azolium salts with non-coordinating anions in DMSO is reported. With this one-pot synthesis NHC-substituted phosphitepalladacycles are obtained avoiding multi-step reactions. The molecular structures of an acetate-bridged phosphitepalladacycle dimer, an unsaturated NHC-substituted palladacyclic complex and one acetylacetonato phosphapalladacycle complex have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Anion-dependent formation of helicates versus mesocates of triple-stranded M2L3 (M = Fe2+, Cu2+) complexes

A series of dinuclear triple-stranded complexes, [Fe(2)L(3)?X]X(6) [X = BF(4)(-) (1), ClO(4)(-) (2)], [Fe(2)L(3)?SO(4)](2)(SO(4))(5) (3), [Fe(2)L(3)?Br](BPh(4))(6) (4), Fe(2)L(3)(NO(3))Br(6) (5), and [Cu(2)L(3)?NO(3)](NO(3))(6) (6), which incorporate a central cavity to encapsulate different anions, have been synthesized via the self-assembly of iron(II) or copper(II) salts with the N,N'-bis[5-(2,2'-bipyridyl)methyl]imidazolium bromide (LBr) ligand. X-ray crystallographic studies (for 1-4 and 6) and elemental analyses confirmed the cagelike triple-stranded structure. The anionic guest is bound in the cage and shows remarkable influence on the outcome of the self-assembly process with regard to the configuration at the metal centers. The mesocates (with different configurations at the two metal centers) have formed in the presence of large tetrahedral anions, while helicates (with the same configuration at both metal centers) were obtained when using the relatively smaller spherical or trigonal-planar anions Br(-) or NO(3)(-).     

Recognition-directed supramolecular assemblies of metal complexes of terpyridine derived ligands with self-complementary hydrogen bonding sites

The synthesis and X-ray structures of three metal complexes with terpyridine-derived ligands that contain amino-pyrimidine and amino-pyrazine moieties are presented. They have been designed in view of directing their self-assembly into specific supramolecular arrays through molecular recognition interactions. The solid-state structures indeed reveal extensive hydrogen-bonded networks. The Co complex 4a with PF6- counterions builds a two-dimensional infinite interwoven grid through strong double hydrogen bonds (d(N-H-N) =2.918-3.018 A) between the amino groups and the N atoms of the rings, with all H-bonding sites saturated. Changing the anions to BF4- in 4b leads to a similar infinite but partially broken grid with a quarter of the H-bonding sites unsaturated (d(N-H-N)=2.984-3.206 A). In the case of the Zn complex 12 with triflate anions, half of the hydrogen bonds are formed. Only one of the two orthogonal ligands has hydrogen bonds (d(N-H-N) = 3.082, 3.096 A) to the neighbouring complexes and thus builds linear, supramolecular, polymeric chains. These structural differences are mainly attributed to crystal-packing effects caused by the different anions. The data presented here may also be regarded as a prototype for the generation of organised arrays through sequential self-assembly processes.     

Aurophilicity versus mercurophilicity: impact of d10-d10 metallophilic interactions on the structure of metal-rich supramolecular assemblies

Treatment of U-shaped, binuclear Cu(I) complexes 1,1' (1, counterion: BF(4)(-); 1', counterion: PF(6)(-)) with metal cyanide linear linkers K[Au(CN)(2)] (3) and Hg(CN)(2) (4) lead to formation of new supramolecular assemblies 5,5' and 6,6', respectively, in good yield. These derivatives have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, IR, and X-ray diffraction studies. Derivative 5,5' are supramolecular metallacycles in which intramolecular aurophilic interactions between the Au(I) metal centers of the linkers are observed. Derivative 5 crystallizes as a single solid phase, whereas derivative 5' is characterized in the solid state as four different pseudo-polymorphs (5'a-d). Notably in the case of phase 5'd, a dimer of supramolecular metallacycles bounded by intermolecular aurophilic interactions is formed. Conversely, derivatives 6,6' present large structural diversity depending on the nature of the counterion. Derivative 6 is a supramolecular rectangle in which the Hg(II)-Hg(II) metal distance suggests mercurophilic interaction, whereas 6' crystallizes as two different pseudo-polymorphs 6'a,b, that is, a one-dimensional coordination polymer and one oligomer with no short Hg(II)-Hg(II) metal contacts, respectively. In derivatives 6,6', short contacts between the Hg(II) metal centers and fluorine atoms of the counterions are also observed, which may explain the counterion structural dependence of these supramolecular assemblies based on Hg(II) metal cyanide linker. Comparison of the different solid-state structures characterized highlights the importance of weak secondary interactions between the linkers for the formation supramolecular metallacycles from molecular clips 1,1' and suggests the range of energies required for these interactions to form metallacycles and to induce self-aggregation.     

Diastereoselectivity and molecular recognition in the self-assembly of double-stranded dinuclear metal complexes of the type [M2[(R,S)-tetraphos]2](PF6)2 (M = Ag and Au)

The ligand (R,S)-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)P(Ph)CH(2)CH(2)P(Ph)CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2), (R,S)-tetraphos, combines with silver(I) and gold(I) ions in the presence of hexafluorophosphate to diastereoselectively self-assemble the head-to-head (H,H) diastereomers of the double-stranded, dinuclear metal complexes [M(2)[(R,S)-tetraphos](2)](PF(6))(2) in which the two chiral metal centers in the complexes have M (R end of phosphine) and P (S end of phosphine) configurations. The crystal and molecular structures of the compounds have been determined: (H,H)-(M,P) -[Ag(2)[(R,S)-tetraphos](2)](PF(6))(2), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.3784(2), b = 47.320(1), c = 17.3385(4) A, beta = 103.8963(5) degrees, Z = 4; (H,H)-(M,P)-[Au(2)[(R,S)-tetraphos](2)](PF(6))(2), monoclinic, P.2(1) (No. 4, c unique axis), a = 24.385(4), b = 46.175(3), c = 14.820(4) A, Z = 8. The complexes crystallize as racemic compounds in which the unit cell in each case contains equal numbers of enantiomorphic molecules of the cation and associated anions. The cations in both structures have similar side-by-side structures of idealized C(2) symmetry, the bulk helicity of each molecule in the solid state being due solely to the twist of the central ten-membered ring containing the two metal ions of opposite configuration, which has the chiral twist-boat-chair-boat conformation. When 1 equiv each of (R,S)-tetraphos, (R,R)-(+/-)-tetraphos, (S,S)-(+)-tetraphos, 2 equiv of Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2) (dppe), and 7 equiv of [AuCl(SMe(2))] in dichloromethane are allowed to react for several minutes in the presence of an excess of ammonium hexafluorophosphate in water (two phases), the products are the double-stranded digold(I) complexes in which each ligand strand has recognized itself by stereoselective self-assembly, together with [Au(dppe)(2)]PF(6).     

The role of the solvation shell decomposition of alkali metal ions in their selective complexation by resorcinarene and its cavitand

2-Methylresorcinarene and its methylene-bridged cavitand derivative as host compounds were investigated in selective complexation of alkali metal ions as guests in methanol media by photoluminescence measurements. These host molecules possess either flexible (2-methylresorcinarene) or rigid (cavitand) molecular skeleton. The Benesi–Hildebrand method and the van't Hoff theory have been applied to determine the stability constants and the thermodynamic parameters, respectively. Considerable interactions between 2-methylresorcinarene and Li⁺ or Na⁺ ions have been observed while the rigid cavitand derivative can interact only with K⁺ or Cs⁺ ions. Neither the complexes of 2-methylresorcinarene with K⁺ or Cs⁺ nor those of the cavitand derivative with Li⁺ or Na⁺ ions are stable at room temperature in methanol media. Quantum-chemical investigations justified that only solvated Li⁺ and Na⁺ ions can form stable complexes with 2-methylresorcinarene while unsolvated K⁺ and Cs⁺ ions form stable complexes with the methylene-bridged cavitand. These results highlight that the stability of the guest solvation shell and its size could play a key role in the selectivity behaviour of host molecules.