Gd2AlGe2: An “Almost‐Zintl Phase” and a New Stacking Variant of the W2CoB2 Type

The synthesis, structure determination and calculated electronic structure of the new phase, Gd₂AlGe₂, are reported. The compound crystallizes in a new structure type with space group C2/c, a = 10.126(2) Å, b = 5.6837(12) Å, c = 7.7683(16) Å, and β = 104.729(3)s. Tight‐binding linear‐muffin‐tin orbital (TB‐LMTO‐ASA) calculations show a distinct minimum in the total density of states for this structure at 18 valence electrons per formula unit (Gd₂AlGe₂ has 17 valence electrons in its formula unit), which arises from polar covalent bonding within the three‐dimensional [AlGe₂] net, Gd‐Ge interactions and three‐center, two‐electron bonding between Al and Gd. The structure is a new stacking variant of the W₂CoB₂ structure type, which is observed for numerous ternary rare‐earth silicides and germanides.     

The double‐stranded ladder‐like structure of poly[[bis(μ2‐acetato‐κ2O:O′)bis(acetato‐κO)bis(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′)dicopper(II)] 4‐nitrophenol disolvate tetrahydrate]

The reaction of 4,4′‐bipyridine with copper acetate in the presence of 4‐nitrophenol led to the formation of the title compound, {[Cu(CH₃COO)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]·C₆H₅NO₃·2H₂O}_n. The complex forms a double‐stranded ladder‐like coordination polymer extending along the b axis. The double‐stranded polymers are separated by 4‐nitrophenol and water solvent molecules. The two Cu^II centres of the centrosymmetric Cu₂O₂ ladder rungs have square‐pyramidal coordination environments, which are formed by two acetate O atoms and two 4,4′‐bipyridine N atoms in the basal plane and another acetate O atom at the apex. The ladder‐like double strands are separated from each other by one unit‐cell length along the c axis, and are connected by the water and 4‐nitrophenol molecules through a series of O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions and two unique intermolecular π–π interactions.     

Density Functional Theory Study on Hydrogen Bonding Interaction of Catechin-(H2O)n

Density functional theory B3LYP method with 6‐31G* basis set has been used to optimize the geometries of the catechin, water and catechin‐(H₂O)_n complexes. The vibrational frequencies have been studied at the same level to analyze these complexes. Six and eleven stable structures for the catechin‐H₂O and catechin‐(H₂O)₂ have been found, respectively. Theories of atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) have been utilized to investigate the hydrogen bonds involved in all the systems. The interaction energies of all the complexes corrected by basis set superposition error, are from ?13.27 to ?83.56 kJ/mol. All calculations also indicate that there are strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions in catechin‐water complexes. The strong hydrogen‐bonding contributes to the interaction energies dominantly. The O–H stretching motions in all the complexes are red‐shifted relative to that of the monomer.     

Twist‐chair conformation of the tetraoxepane ring remains unchanged in tetraoxaspirododecane diamines

A detailed structural analysis has been performed for N,N′‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl)‐7,8,11,12‐tetraoxaspiro[5.6]dodecane‐9,10‐diamine, C₂₀H₂₂Cl₂N₂O₄, (I), N,N′‐bis(2‐fluorophenyl)‐7,8,11,12‐tetraoxaspiro[5.6]dodecane‐9,10‐diamine, C₂₀H₂₂F₂N₂O₄, (II), and N,N′‐bis(4‐fluorophenyl)‐7,8,11,12‐tetraoxaspiro[5.6]dodecane‐9,10‐diamine, C₂₀H₂₂F₂N₂O₄, (III). The seven‐membered ring with two peroxide groups adopts a twist‐chair conformation in all three compounds. The lengths of the C—N and O—O bonds are slightly shorter than the average statistical values found in the literature for azepanes and 1,2,4,5‐tetraoxepanes. The geometry analysis of compounds (I)–(III), the topological analysis of the electron density at the (3, ?1) bond critical points within Bader's quantum theory of `Atoms in molecules' (QTAIM) and NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,2p) level of theory showed that there are n_O→σ*(C—O), n_N→σ*(C—O) and n_O→σ*(C—N) stereoelectronic effects. The molecules of compounds (I) and (III) are packed in the crystals as zigzag chains due to strong N—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen‐bond interactions, whereas the molecules of compound (II) form chains in the crystals bound by N—H…O, C—H…π and C—H…O contacts. All these data show that halogen atoms and their positions have a minimal effect on the geometric parameters, stereoelectronic effects and crystal packing of compounds (I)–(III), so that the twist‐chair conformation of the tetraoxepane ring remains unchanged.     

Poly[diaqua[μ4‐4‐(isonicotinamido)phthalato]nickel(II)] displaying an sra topology

In the title compound, [Ni(C₁₄H₈N₂O₅)(H₂O)₂]_n, the Ni^II cation is six‐coordinate with a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry and the 4‐(isonicotinamido)phthalate ligand links the Ni^II centres into a three‐dimensional structure with sra topology. The structure is also stabilized by N—H...O hydrogen bonding between the uncoordinated amide groups of the ligand and extensive O—H...O hydrogen bonding between the two coordinated water molecules. The magnetic and thermal stability properties of the title compound are also discussed.     

Influence of Flexible Bis(benzimidazole) Derivatives on the Self‐assembly of Three Mixed Ligands Silver(I) Coordination Polymers

Three silver(I) coordination polymers namely, [Ag₄(L1)₂(1, 4‐ndc)₂]_n ( 1 ) {[Ag(L2)] · (1, 4‐Hndc) · H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and {[Ag(L3)(H₂O)] · (1, 4‐Hndc)}_n ( 3 ) [L1 = 1, 3‐bis(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene, 1, 4‐H₂ndc = 1, 4‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, L2 = 1, 3‐bis(5, 6‐dimethylbenzimidazole‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene, L3 = 1, 4‐bis(5, 6‐dimethylbenzimidazole)butane], were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and XRPD analysis. Complex 1 displays a 1D tube‐like chain, which is packed into a 3D supramolecular network by π–π stacking interactions. Complex 2 features an infinite 1D linear chain. Complex 3 contains a 1D wave‐like chain, which is extended into a 3D supramolecular network through O–H ··· O hydrogen bonding interactions. Moreover, these coordination polymers exhibit catalytic properties for degradation of methyl orange in Fenton‐like processes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Two New Chiral Copper(II) Compounds Constructed from (+)‐N‐Tosyl‐L‐glutamic Acid

Chiral coordination polymers have attracted intense interest mainly due to their potential applications. Hence, two new chiral copper(II) coordination polymers {[Cu(tsgluO)(H₂O)]₂·3H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and [Cu(tsgluO)(2,2′‐bipy)]_n ( 2 ) (H₂tsglu?(+)‐N‐tosyl‐l‐glutamic acid; 2,2′‐bipy?2,2′‐bipyridine) were synthesized in the absence or presence of 2,2′‐bipy ligand and structurally characterized. A single crystal X‐ray diffraction study revealed that compound 1 consists of a paddle‐wheel dicopper(II) core, which links other equivalents via four tsgluO^2? ligands to form a 1D double chain. Such a chain is further interconnected through weak π‐π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D H‐bonded supramolecular structure with 1D channels hosting lattice water molecules. Whereas, compound 2 , containing the coordinating 2,2′‐bipy, gives rise to a ladder‐like 1D double chain. Antiferromagnetic interactions were observed in 1 and 2 .     

A novel three‐dimensional copper(I) coordination polymer constructed from a copper–bromide net and nicotinic acid ligands

The title compound, poly[μ₃‐bromido‐(pyridine‐3‐carboxylato‐κN)copper(I)], [CuBr(C₆H₅NO₂)]_n, is a novel coordination polymer based on a copper–bromide net and nicotinic acid ligands. The asymmetric unit contains one copper(I) ion, one bromide ligand and one nicotinic acid ligand, all on general positions. The Cu^I atom is tetrahedral and coordinated by three bridging Br atoms and the N atom from the nicotinic acid ligand. The Cu–Br units form alternating six‐membered chair‐patterned rings in net‐like layers. The attached nicotinic acid units point alternately up and down. The layers are assembled into a three‐dimensional network via intermolecular O—H...O and C—H...Br hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

A helical zinc(II) coordination polymer assembled from 1,3‐bis[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methoxy]benzene and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid

In catena‐poly[[aqua[1,3‐bis(pyridine‐3‐ylmethoxy)benzene‐κN]zinc(II)]‐μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O⁴], [Zn(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₈H₁₆N₂O₂)(H₂O)]_n, each Zn^II centre is tetrahedrally coordinated by two O atoms of bridging carboxylate groups from two benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate anions (denoted L²⁻), one O atom from a water molecule and one N atom from a 1,3‐bis[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methoxy]benzene ligand (denoted bpmb). (Aqua)O—H...N hydrogen‐bonding interactions induce the formation of one‐dimensional helical [Zn(L)(bpmb)(H₂O)]_n chains which are interlinked through (aqua)O—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions, producing two‐dimensional corrugated sheets.     

The three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded structures in the ammonium and sodium salt hydrates of 4‐aminophenylarsonic acid

The structures of two hydrated salts of 4‐aminophenylarsonic acid (p‐arsanilic acid), namely ammonium 4‐aminophenylarsonate monohydrate, NH₄⁺·C₆H₇AsNO₃⁻·H₂O, (I), and the one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[[(4‐aminophenylarsonato‐κO)diaquasodium]‐μ‐aqua], [Na(C₆H₇AsNO₃)(H₂O)₃]_n, (II), have been determined. In the structure of the ammonium salt, (I), the ammonium cations, arsonate anions and water molecules interact through inter‐species N—H...O and arsonate and water O—H...O hydrogen bonds, giving the common two‐dimensional layers lying parallel to (010). These layers are extended into three dimensions through bridging hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving the para‐amine group acting both as a donor and an acceptor. In the structure of the sodium salt, (II), the Na⁺ cation is coordinated by five O‐atom donors, one from a single monodentate arsonate ligand, two from monodentate water molecules and two from bridging water molecules, giving a very distorted square‐pyramidal coordination environment. The water bridges generate one‐dimensional chains extending along c and extensive interchain O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions link these chains, giving an overall three‐dimensional structure. The two structures reported here are the first reported examples of salts of p‐arsanilic acid.     

Can a Single Molecule of Water be Completely Isolated Within the Subnano‐Space Inside the Fullerene C60 Cage? A Quantum Chemical Prospective

Based on an experimental observation, it has been controversially suggested in a study (Kurotobi et al., Science 2011 , 33, 613) that a single molecule of water can completely be localized within the subnano‐space inside the fullerene C₆₀ cage and, that neither the H atoms nor the O lone‐pairs are linked, either via hydrogen bonding or through dative bonding, with the interior C‐framework of the C₆₀ cage. To resolve the controversy, electronic structure calculations were performed by using the density functional theory, together with the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, the natural population and bond orbital analyses, and the results were analyzed by using varieties of recommended diagnostics often used to interpret noncovalent interactions. The present results reveal that the mechanically entrapped H₂O molecule is not electronically innocent of the presence of the cage; each H atom of H₂O is weakly O? H???C₆₀ bonded, whereas the O lone‐pairs are O???C₆₀ bonded regardless of the conformations investigated. Exploration of various featured properties suggests that H₂O@C₆₀ may be regarded as a unique system composed of both inter‐ and intramolecular interactions.     

catena‐Poly[[di‐μ2‐aqua‐hexaaquabis(μ3‐4‐oxidopyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)trimanganese(II)] trihydrate]: a new one‐dimensional coordination polymer based on a trinuclear MnII complex of chelidamic acid

4‐Hydroxypyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid (chelidamic acid, hypydc_[H]H₂) reacts with MnCl₂·2H₂O in the presence of piperazine in water to afford the title complex, {[Mn₃(C₇H₂NO₅)₂(H₂O)₈]·3H₂O}_n or {[Mn₃(hypydc)₂(H₂O)₈]·3H₂O}_n. This compound is a one‐dimensional coordination polymer, with the twofold symmetric repeat unit containing three metal centres. Two different coordination geometries are observed for the two independent Mn^II metal centres, viz. a distorted pentagonal bipyramid and a distorted octahedron. The 4‐oxidopyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate anions and two of the water molecules act as bridging ligands. The zigzag‐like geometry of the coordination polymer is stabilized by hydrogen bonds. O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and water clusters consolidate the three‐dimensional network structure.     

Investigation of the change in the electronic properties of FeF3 by the introduction of oxygen using a molecular orbital method

FeF₃ has attracted interest as a conversion‐reaction‐based positive electrode material in applications to lithium ion batteries. However, slow reaction kinetics is a major drawback due to its poor electrical conductivity. The electronic features of FeF₃ were examined using the DV‐Xα molecular orbital method. This article reports the effects of oxygen doping on the bonding characteristics and electrical conductivity. An analysis of the bond overlap population and spatial distribution of electrons showed that the Fe? O bond has a more covalent nature than the Fe? F bond. New energy levels were generated in the original band gap region through an interaction between the Fe3d and O2p orbitals with the introduction of oxygen. The electrical conductivity of FeF₃ is expected to be increased by the partial substitution of oxygen for fluorine due to the higher covalent character and the formation of new energy levels. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Vibrational Spectroscopy and Thermal Behavior of the First Alkali Metal Hydrated Hexaborate： K2[B6O9（OH）2]

New hydrated potassium hexaborate K2[B6O9（OH）2] has been synthesized under mild solvothermal conditions. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized by FT-IR, Rarnan spectra and DTA-TG. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P21/n, a=0.9036（2） nm, b=0.66052（18） nm, c=1.5997（4） nm, β=91.862（4）°, V=0.9543（4） nm^3 and Z=4. Its crystal structure consists of K-O polyhedra and 1-D stepped polyborate chains constructed by new [B6O9（OH）2]2- fundamental building blocks. 1-D polyborate chains contain 3,8-membered boron rings. Adjacent chains are further linked via H-bonding interactions into 2-D layers. The K^＋ cations reside not only between the layers but also in the 8-membered boron rings of the chains, compensating the negative charges of the borate chains and holding the layers together into the 3-D structure through bonding with oxygen atoms of the chains.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Crystal Structure of （2,2′—Bipyridine）（μ—maleato）copper（Ⅱ）Dihydrate

The title polymeric complex [Cu(C₄H₂O₄)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n·2nH₂O was prepared and its crystal structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. The crystal belongs to space group P2₁/c with cell dimensions of a = 1.0104(1), b = 1.9952(2), c = 0.7357(2) nm, β= 98.38(2)° and Z = 4. The complex forms zig‐zag chains along crystallographic axis c via Cu—O (carboxyl) bond in the apical direction. Each repeated unit consists of a square pyramidal Cu(II) centre with one maleate dianion and one 2,2′‐bipyridine forming a basal plane. Adjacent chains link to each other by H‐bonding between carboxyl groups and crystalline water. The distance of 0.3482 nm between parallel bipyridine rings shows a π‐π stacking interaction. The title complex was also characterized by IR, UV and ESR spectra.     

A Novel Mixed‐Ligand Manganese(II) Complex Containing a V‐shape Water Trimer: Synthesis,Structure and Magnetic Properties of {[Mn(azpy)2(dca)(H2O)2](ClO4)(azpy)(H2O)2}n

A novel mixed‐ligand complex {[Mn(azpy)₂(dca)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)(azpy)(H₂O)₂}_n ( 1 ) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray analysis, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic measurement. The 4,4′‐azopyridine and dicyanamide ligands are abbreviated as azpy and dca, respectively. The crystal structure of 1 revealed that the 1D covalent bonding chains constructed by μ_1,5‐dca bridging the Mn^II ions are linked together via O–H···N and O–H···O hydrogen bonds and π‐π stacking interactions into a 3D supramolecular structure. V‐shape (bent) water trimers were also found in the structure. The water clusters play an important role in the formation of the 3D supramolecular structure. The determination of the variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities (2–300 K) shows the existence of a very weak antiferromagnetic interaction with a J value of ?0.16 cm^?1.     

A new heteroleptic oxalate‐based compound: poly[[2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine]di‐μ6‐oxalato‐chromium(III)potassium(I)]

The title compound, [KCr(C₂O₂)₂(C₆H₈N₂)]_n, was obtained from aqueous solution and analyzed with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction at 100 K. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and displays a three‐dimensional polymeric architecture built up by bimetallic oxalate‐bridged Cr^III–K helical chains linked through centrosymmetric K₂O₂ units to yield a sheet‐like alternating P/M arrangement which looks like that of the previously described two‐dimensional [NaCr(ox)₂(pyim)(H₂O)]·2H₂O [pyim is 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)imidazole; Lei et al. (2006). Inorg. Chem. Commun. 9 , 486–488]. The Cr^III ions in each helix have the same chirality. The infinite neutral sheets are eclipsed with respect to each other and are held together by a hydrogen‐bonding network involving 2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine H atoms and oxalate O atoms. Each sheet gives rise to channels of Cr₄K₄ octanuclear rings and each resultant hole is occupied by a pair of 2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine ligands with partial overlap. The shortest Cr...Cr distance [5.593 (4) Å] is shorter than usually observed in the K–M^III–oxalate family.     

Theoretical investigation of gas phase ethanol–(water)n (n = 1–5) clusters and comparison with gas phase pure water clusters (water)n (n = 2–6)

Various properties (such as optimal structures, structural parameters, hydrogen bonds, natural bond orbital charge distributions, binding energies, electron densities at hydrogen bond critical points, cooperative effects, and so on) of gas phase ethanol–(water)_n (n = 1–5) clusters with the change in the number of water molecules have been systematically explored at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ//MP2/6‐311++G(d,p) computational level. The study of optimal structures shows that the most stable ethanol‐water heterodimer is the one where exists one primary hydrogen bond (O? H…O) and one secondary hydrogen bond (C? H …O) simultaneously. The cyclic geometric pattern formed by the primary hydrogen bonds, where all the molecules are proton acceptor and proton donor simultaneously, is the most stable configuration for ethanol–(water)_n (n = 2–4) clusters, and a transition from two‐dimensional cyclic to three‐dimensional structures occurs at n = 5. At the same time, the cluster stability seems to correlate with the number of primary hydrogen bonds, because the secondary hydrogen bond was extremely weaker than the primary hydrogen bond. Furthermore, the comparison of cooperative effects between ethanol–water clusters and gas phase pure water clusters has been analyzed from two aspects. First of all, for the cyclic structure, the cooperative effect in the former is slightly stronger than that of the latter with the increasing of water molecules. Second, for the ethanol–(water)₅ and (water)₆ structure, the cooperative effect in the former is also correspondingly stronger than that of the latter except for the ethanol–(water)₅ book structure. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Polymeric dopant effects of bent‐core covalent‐bonded and hydrogen‐bonded structures on banana‐shaped liquid crystalline complexes

Two series of banana‐shaped liquid crystalline (LC) H‐bonded complexes HP_m / CB_n (i.e., bent‐core H‐bonded side‐chain homopolymer HP mixed with bent‐core covalent‐bonded small molecule CB ) and CP_m / HB_n (i.e., bent‐core covalent‐bonded side‐chain homopolymer CP mixed with bent‐core H‐bonded small molecular complex HB ) with various m/n molar ratios were developed. The bent‐core covalent‐ and H‐bonded structural moieties were homopolymerized in the banana‐shaped LC H‐bonded complexes HP_m / CB_n and CP_m / HB_n , respectively. The influences of m/n molar ratios (polymeric moieties vs. small molecular moieties) on the mesomorphic and electro‐optical properties of both banana‐shaped LC H‐bonded complexes HP_m / CB_n and CP_m / HB_n were investigated. The polar smectic phases could be achieved and stabilized by smaller contents of polymeric dopants in banana‐shaped LC H‐bonded complexes, such as HP1/CB10 , HP1/CB15 , CP1/HB10 , and CP1/HB15 , which possessed tunable spontaneous polarization (Ps) values according to the molar ratios of m/n , that is, lower Ps values obtained in H‐bonded complexes HP_m /CB_n and CP_m / HB_n with higher ratios of H‐bonded moieties (larger m/n molar ratios), respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 764–774, 2010     

Hexakis[3‐(aminocarbonyl)pyridinium] decavanadate(V) dihydrate

The structure of the title compound, (C₆H₇N₂O)₆[V₁₀O₂₈]·2H₂O, at 120 (2) K has monoclinic (C2/c) symmetry. The asymmetric unit consists of one half‐decavanadate anion of C_i symmetry, three cations and one water molecule. Each water molecule is hydrogen bonded to two decavanadate anions, thus forming a one‐dimensional chain of anions. The three‐dimensional supramolecular structure is formed by a network of N—H...O, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, in which the cations, anions and water molecules are involved, and by nonparallel‐displaced π‐stacking interactions between pyridine rings. As a result of hydrogen bonding, the carboxamide groups of the cations are somewhat twisted from the pyridine ring plane.