On‐Surface Self‐Assembly of a C3‐Symmetric π‐Conjugated Molecule Family Studied by STM: Two‐Dimensional Nanoporous Frameworks

The on‐surface self‐assembled behavior of four C ₃‐symmetric π‐conjugated planar molecules ( Tp , T12 , T18 , and Ex ) has been investigated. These molecules are excellent building blocks for the construction of noncovalent organic frameworks in the bulk phase. Their hydrogen‐bonded 2D on‐surface self‐assemblies are observed under STM at the solid/liquid interface; these structures are very different to those in the bulk crystal. Upon combining the results of STM measurements and DFT calculations, the formation mechanism of different assemblies is revealed; in particular, the critical role of hydrogen bonding in the assemblies. This research provides us with not only a deep insight into the self‐assembled behavior of these novel functional molecules, but also a convenient approach toward the construction of 2D multiporous networks.     

Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Cucurbit[6]uil and Ionic Liquid in Non‐aqueous System

A novel [2]pseudorotaxane of cucurbit[6]uril(CB[6]) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium bromide ([C₄mim]Br) was synthesized by directly mixing the host and the guest molecules in non‐aqueous system. Structural characterizations of the [2]pseudorotaxane were carried out by 1D, 2D NMR and X‐ray crystallography techniques both in solution and in crystal structure. The crystal structure demonstrated that CB[6] and [C₄mim]Br formed a complex with the ratio 1:1, in which one guest [C₄mim]Br was included inside the CB[6], while two other [C₄mim]Br molecules were free and surrounded the [2]pseudorotaxane as solvent molecules, which could stabilize the crystal structure through hydrogen bonds. Moreover, parallel solvent channels consisting by free [C₄mim]Br molecules occupied the pores among the frame of the pseudorotaxanes and formed zigzag lines in the crystal structure. [C₄mim]Br can serve as not only the guest reactant but also the solvent in the formation of [2]pseudorotaxane formation.     

A Macrocycle Based on a Heptagon‐Containing Hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene

A cyclophane is reported incorporating two units of a heptagon‐containing extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analogue of the hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) moiety (hept‐HBC). This cyclophane represents a new class of macrocyclic structures that incorporate for the first time seven‐membered rings within extended PAH frameworks. The saddle curvature of the hept‐HBC macrocycle units induced by the presence of the nonhexagonal ring along with the flexible alkyl linkers generate a cavity with shape complementarity and appropriate size to enable π interactions with fullerenes. Therefore, the cyclophane forms host–guest complexes with C₆₀ and C₇₀ with estimated binding constants of K_a=420±2 m ^?1 and K_a=(6.49±0.23)×10³ m ^?1, respectively. As a result, the macrocycle can selectively bind C₇₀ in the presence of an excess of a mixture of C₆₀ and C₇₀.     

Temperature‐induced pseudopolymorphism of molecular salts from a pyridyl bis‐urea macrocycle and naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonic acid

Molecular salts, often observed as cocrystals, play an important role in the fields of pharmaceutics and materials science, where salt formation is used to tune the properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and improve the stability of solid‐state materials. Salt formation via a proton‐transfer reaction typically alters hydrogen‐bonding motifs and influences supramolecular assembly patterns. We report here the molecular salts formed by the pyridyl bis‐urea macrocycle 3,5,13,15,21,22‐hexaazatricyclo[15.3.1.1^7,11]docosa‐1(21),7(22),8,10,17,19‐hexaene‐4,14‐dione, ( 1 ), and naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonic acid (H₂NDS) as two salt cocrystal solvates, namely 4,14‐dioxo‐3,5,13,15,21,22‐hexaazatricyclo[15.3.1.1^7,11]docosa‐1(21),7(22),8,10,17,19‐hexaene‐21,22‐diium naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate dimethyl sulfoxide disolvate, C₁₆H₂₀N₆O₂²⁺·C₁₀H₆O₆S₂²⁻·2C₂H₆OS, ( 2 ), and the corresponding monosolvate, C₁₆H₂₀N₆O₂²⁺·C₁₀H₆O₆S₂²⁻·C₂H₆OS, ( 3 ). This follows the ΔpK_a rule such that there is a proton transfer from H₂NDS to ( 1 ), forming the reported molecular salts through hydrogen bonding. Prior to salt formation, ( 1 ) is relatively planar and assembles into columnar structures. The salt cocrystal solvates were obtained upon slow cooling of dimethyl sulfoxide–acetonitrile solutions of the molecular components from two temperatures (363 and 393 K). The proton transfer to ( 1 ) significantly alters the conformation of the macrocycle, changing the formerly planar macrocycle into a step‐shaped conformation with trans–cis urea groups in ( 2 ) or into a bowl‐shape conformation with trans–trans urea groups in ( 3 ).     

A Peanut‐Shaped Polyaromatic Capsule: Solvent‐Dependent Transformation and Electronic Properties of a Non‐Contacted Fullerene Dimer

Synthesis of molecular containers capable of incorporating multiple fullerenes remains challenging. Reported here is that room‐temperature mixing of metal ions with W‐shaped bispyridine ligands featuring polyaromatic panels results in the quantitative formation of a peanut‐shaped M₂L₄ capsule. The capsule reversibly converts into two molecules of an ML₂ double tube in response to changes in the solvent. Notably, the capsule allows the incorporation of two fullerene molecules into the connected two spherical cavities at room temperature. The close proximity yet non‐contact of the encapsulated C₆₀ molecules, with a separation of 6.4 Å, was revealed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The resultant, unusual fullerene dimer undergoes sequential reduction within the capsule to generate (C₆₀^.?)₂, C₆₀^.??C₆₀^2?, and (C₆₀^2?)₂ species. Furthermore, temperature‐controlled stepwise incorporation of two C₆₀ molecules into the capsule is demonstrated.     

Bi‐channel Surface Acoustic Wave Gas Sensor for Carbon Disulfide and Methanol Vapors in Polymer Plants

A C₆₀‐polyphenylacetylene (C₆₀‐PPA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated two‐channel surface acoustic wave (SAW) crystal gas sensor with a homemade computer interface for data acquisition and data processing was developed and employed to detect carbon disulfide (CS₂) and methanol (CH₃OH) vapors in polymer plants. The frequency of surface acoustic wave oscillator decreases due to the adsorption of gas molecules on the coated materials of the SAW sensor. Six coating materials (C₆₀‐PPA, nafion, PPA, crytand [2,2], polyethene glycol and PVP) were used to adsorb and detect carbon disulfide and methanol gases. Adsorption of all the six coating materials to CS₂ and CH₃OH was found to be physical adsorption. The C₆₀‐PPA coated SAW detector exhibited more sensitive to CS₂ than the other coating materials. In contrast, the PVP coated SAW detector was more sensitive to CH₃OH than the other coating materials. With the two‐channel SAW sensor, the C₆₀‐PPA coated SAW showed a good detection limit of 0.4 ppm and good reproducibility with RSD of 3.37 % (n=10) for CS₂. Similarly, the PVP coated SAW also showed a good detection limit of 0.05 ppm and good reproducibility, with RSD of 0.86 % (n=10) for CH₃OH. The interference effect of other organic molecules on the SAW detection system was negligible, except for the irreversible adsorption of C₆₀‐PPA to propylamine. The frequency signals from the two‐channel SAW sensor array C₆₀‐PPA and PVP coatings were processed by a back‐propagation artificial neural network (BPN) and multiple regression analysis (MRA). Thus a two‐channel SAW sensor array with BPN and MRA has been successfully applied for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of CS₂ and CH₃OH in mixtures.     

Supramolecular Interaction of Fullerenes with a Curved π‐Surface of a Monomeric Quadruply Ring‐Fused Porphyrin

Molecular binding of fullerenes, C₆₀ and C₇₀, with the Zn^II complex of a monomeric ring‐fused porphyrin derivative ( 2 ‐py) as a host molecule, which has a concave π‐conjugated surface, has been confirmed spectroscopically. The structures of associated complexes composed of fullerenes and 2 ‐py were explicitly established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The fullerenes in the 2:1 complexes, which consist of two 2 ‐py molecules and one fullerene molecule, are fully covered by the concave surfaces of the two 2 ‐py molecules in the crystal structure. In contrast, in the crystal structure of the 1:1 complex consisting of one 2 ‐py molecule and one C₆₀ molecule, the C₆₀ molecule formed a π–π stacked pair with a C₆₀ molecule in the neighboring complex using a partial surface, which was uncovered by the 2 ‐py molecule. Additionally, the molecular size of fullerene adopted significantly affects the ¹H NMR spectral changes and the redox properties of 2 ‐py upon the molecular binding.     

Heptagon‐Embedded Pentacene: Synthesis,Structures, and Thin‐Film Transistors of Dibenzo[d,d′]benzo[1,2‐a:4,5‐a′]dicycloheptenes

This study presents a new class of conjugated polycyclic molecules that contain seven‐membered rings, detailing their synthesis, crystal structures and semiconductor properties. These molecules have a nearly flat C₆‐C₇‐C₆‐C₇‐C₆ polycyclic framework with a p‐quinodimethane core. With field‐effect mobilities of up to 0.76 cm² V^?1 s^?1 as measured from solution‐processed thin‐film transistors, these molecules are alternatives to the well‐studied pentacene analogues for applications in organic electronic devices.     

An unusual oligomerization/oxidation reaction of a 3‐boron‐substituted 1‐phenylbuta‐1,3‐diene produces 6,9,16,19‐tetraphenyl‐5,15‐distyryl‐3,13,25,26‐tetraoxa‐2,12‐diborapentacyclo[16.2.2.28,11.12,5.112,15]hexacosa‐1(20),7,10,17‐tetraene

The unusual title macrocyclic structure, C₆₀H₅₄B₂O₄, has been isolated from exposure of 3‐BF₃‐1‐phenylbuta‐1,3‐diene to both air and moisture in an attempt to obtain crystals of the starting butadiene compound. Formation of the macrocycle from six molecules of the starting butadiene material is rationalized and its structural features are compared with those of other B(OR)₂‐substituted cyclohexane and benzene ring containing structures. Molecules reside on crystallographic centers of inversion and there are no intermolecular interactions of note in the crystal structure.     

(S)‐5‐Benzylimidazolidine‐2,4‐dione monohydrate

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₁₀H₁₀N₂O₂·H₂O, also known as l ‐5‐benzylhydantoin monohydrate, is described in terms of two‐dimensional supramolecular arrays built up from infinite chains assembled via N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds among the organic molecules and solvent water molecules, with graph‐set R³₃(10)C(5)C²₂(6). The hydrogen‐bond network is reinforced by stacking of the layers through C—H...π interactions.     

Heptagon‐Embedded Pentacene: Synthesis,Structures, and Thin‐Film Transistors of Dibenzo[d,d′]benzo[1,2‐a:4,5‐a′]dicycloheptenes

This study presents a new class of conjugated polycyclic molecules that contain seven‐membered rings, detailing their synthesis, crystal structures and semiconductor properties. These molecules have a nearly flat C₆‐C₇‐C₆‐C₇‐C₆ polycyclic framework with a p‐quinodimethane core. With field‐effect mobilities of up to 0.76 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ as measured from solution‐processed thin‐film transistors, these molecules are alternatives to the well‐studied pentacene analogues for applications in organic electronic devices.     

Magnesium and nickel(II) furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylate

The salts hexaaquamagnesium furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylate, [Mg(H₂O)₆](C₆H₂O₅), (I), and hexaaquanickel furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylate, [Ni(H₂O)₆](C₆H₂O₅), (II), provide the first crystallographic characterization of the furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylate dianion. Both structures exhibit extensive three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding networks between the octahedral coordinated hexaaquametal(II) ions and the dicarboxylate anions. Although the two structures are not isomorphous, they contain essentially identical two‐dimensional slabs. The distinction between the structures is that these slabs are related by translation in (II), whereas adjacent slabs in (I) are reflected relative to each other by the action of a glide plane. The reflection occurs so that the local contacts between slabs are not changed, and thus the hydrogen‐bond networks are identical except for the orientation of the water molecules at the interface between slabs.     

Difur­aza­no­[3,4‐b:3′,4′‐f]‐4,5‐di­aza‐1,8‐dioxa­cyclo­dodecine and an acyclic analogue

The novel title fur­azan‐containing macrocycle (systematic name: 6,9,14,17‐tetraoxa‐2,3,5,7,16,18‐hexa­aza­tri­cyclo­[13.3.0.0^4,8]­octadeca‐4,7,15,18‐tetraene), C₈H₁₀N₆O₄, (I), is the first macrocycle where the fur­azan rings are connected via a hydrazine group. In spite of the strain in the 12‐membered macrocycle of (I), the geometry of the fur­azan fragment is the same in (I) and in its acyclic analogue 1,8‐bis(5‐amino­fur­azan‐4‐yl­oxy)‐3,6‐dioxaoctane, C₁₀H₁₆N₆O₆, (II). In both compounds, the participation of the fur­azan rings in intermolecular hydrogen bonding equalizes the N—O bonds within the fur­azan rings, in contrast with rings which do not participate in such interactions.     

A Fourfold Gold(I)−Aryl Macrocycle with Hyperbolic Geometry and its Reductive Elimination to a Carbon Nanoring Host

An ethylene glycol-decorated [6]cyclo-meta-phenylene (CMP) macrocycle was synthesized and utilized as a subunit to construct a fourfold Au^I₂−aryl metallacycle with an overall square arrangement. The corners consist of rigid dinuclear gold(I) complexes previously known to form only triangular metallacycles. The interplay between the conformational flexibility of the [6]CMP macrocycle and the rigid dinuclear gold(I) moieties enable the square geometry, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The formation of the gold complex shows size-selectivity compared to an alternative route using platinum(II) corner motifs. Upon reductive elimination, an all-organic ether-decorated carbon nanoring was obtained. Investigation as a host for the complexation of large guest molecules with a suitable convex π-surfaces was accomplished using isothermal NMR binding titrations. Association constants for [6]cycloparaphenylene ([6]CPP), [7]CPP, C₆₀, and C₇₀ were determined.     

Donor–acceptor rod–coil block copolymers comprising poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐alt‐bithiophene] and fullerene as compatibilizers for organic photovoltaic devices

The successful synthesis is described for a donor–acceptor rod–coil block copolymer comprising blocks of poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐alt‐bithiophene] (F6T2) and polystyrene functionalized with fullerene (PS(C₆₀)) (F6T2‐b‐PS(C₆₀)). This new material was obtained by combining Suzuki polycondensation with radical addition fragmentation chain transfer. The block copolymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, and optical spectroscopy methods. Photophysical data for (F6T2‐b‐PS(C₆₀)) and a related block copolymer (F6T2‐b‐PS(PCBM)) (PCBM, phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester) are reported and their performance as compatibilizers in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells is assessed. It is demonstrated that the addition of the rod–coil block copolymers to the active layer extends the operational stability of organic photovoltaic devices. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 888–903     

μ‐4,4′‐Bipyridine‐κ2N:N′‐bis[triaqua(4,4′‐bipyridine‐κN)cadmium(II)] bis(3‐aminobenzoate) bis(perchlorate) dihydrate: a novel supramolecular system constructed by π–π and hydrogen‐bonding interactions

The title dicadmium compound, [Cd₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₅(H₂O)₆](C₇H₆NO₂)₂(ClO₄)₂·2H₂O, is located around an inversion centre. Each Cd^II centre is coordinated by three N atoms from three different 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands and three O atoms from three coordinating water molecules in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. In the dicadmium cation unit, one 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) molecule acts as a bidentate bridging ligand between two Cd metal ions, while the other four 4,4′‐bipy molecules act only as monodentate terminal ligands, resulting in a rare `H‐type' [Cd₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₅(H₂O)₆] host unit. These host units are connected to each other viaπ–π stacking interactions, giving rise to a three‐dimensional supramolecular grid network with large cavities. The 3‐aminobenzoate anions, perchlorate anions and water molecules are encapsulated in the cavities by numerous hydrogen‐bonding interactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a coordination compound based on both 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands together with discrete 3‐aminobenzoate anions.     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐substituted polyaniline with mesogen molecules

The N‐substituted polyaniline (PANi) was synthesized by incorporation of bromine‐terminated mesogens onto the emeraldine form of polyaniline. Firsty three liquid crystalline molecules containing biphenyl units were synthesized. These mesogenic molecules are named as: 6‐bromo‐ (4‐hexyloxy‐biphenyl‐4′‐oxy) hexane (C₆? C₆Br), 5‐bromo‐(4‐hexyloxy‐biphenyl‐4′‐oxy) pentane (C₆? C₅Br), 6‐bromo‐(4‐octyloxy‐biphenyl‐4′‐oxy) hexane (C₈? C₆Br). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in combination with polarizing optical microscopy (POM) were used to investigate the thermal properties of them. Optical microscopy showed focal conic texture characteristic of the Smectic A phase for (C₆? C₅Br) and (C₈? C₆Br). For (C₆? C₆? Br) smectic phase was determined. DSC experiments were also found in accord with mesophase formation. For the synthesis of N‐substituted polyaniline with these mesogen molecules, the emeraldine base polyaniline was reacted with BuLi to produce the N‐anionic polyaniline and then deprotonated polyaniline was reacted with bromine‐end mesogen to prepare mesogen‐substituted polyaniline through N‐substitution reaction. The degree of N‐substitution can be controlled by adjusting the molar feed ratio of mesogen to the number of repeat units of PANi. The microstructure and compositions of obtained polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, elemental analysis, DSC, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cyclicvoltammetry show that the electroactivity of N‐substituted polyaniline is strongly dependent on the degree of N‐grafting. The solubility of mesogen‐substituted polyaniline in common organic solvents such as THF and chloroform was improved by increasing the degree of N‐substitution and also the samples are partially soluble in xylene. Liquid crystalline behavior of mesogen‐substituted polyanilines was investigated via POM, but no mesophase was observed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation of a silicon‐containing macrocycle with a pyridoxalimine Schiff base ligand

The reaction of dichlorodiphenylsilane with a polydentate Schiff base ligand derived from pyridoxal and 2‐hydroxyaniline yields the macrocyclic centrosymmetric silicon compound 9,27‐dimethyl‐3,3,21,21‐tetraphenyl‐2,4,20,22‐tetraoxa‐8,13,26,31‐tetraaza‐3,21‐disilapentacyclo[30.4.0.0^6,11.0^14,19.0^24,29]hexatrideca‐1(32),6,8,10,12,14,16,18,24,26,28,30,33,35‐tetradecaene‐10,28‐diol chloroform tetrasolvate, C₅₂H₄₄N₄O₆Si₂·4CHCl₃. The asymmetric unit contains half of the macrocycle and two molecules of chloroform, with C—H...O and C—H...N contacts binding the two guests to the host in the crystal structure. This macrocyclic silicon compound represents a promising host for molecular‐recognition processes and for the construction of nanostructures.     

Poly[[aquabis(μ2‐isonicotinato‐κ3N:O,O′)cadmium(II)] 1,4‐di‐3‐pyridyl‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene hemisolvate]

The title compound, {[Cd(C₆H₄NO₂)₂(H₂O)]·0.5C₁₂H₁₀N₄}_n, presents an intricate three‐dimensional network with cavities traversing it in three orthogonal directions, where the (disordered) guest molecules lodge. The compound is a member of a series of coordination polymers presenting the same main host framework but with guests of variable size and geometry, to which the flexible skeleton seems to adapt. The disorder in the structure is explained in terms of an apparently well defined specificity in the position/orientation of the guest molecules, as determined by the main framework.     

A Solid‐State Fluorescent Host System with a 21‐Helical Column Consisting of Chiral (1R,2S)‐2‐Amino‐1,2‐diphenylethanol and Fluorescent 1‐Pyrenecarboxylic Acid

A solid‐state fluorescent host system was created by self‐assembly of a 2₁‐helical columnar organic fluorophore composed of (1R,2S)‐2‐amino‐1,2‐diphenylethanol and fluorescent 1‐pyrenecarboxylic acid. This host system has a characteristic 2₁‐helical columnar hydrogen‐ and ionic‐bonded network. Channel‐like cavities are formed by self‐assembly of this column, and various guest molecules can be included by tuning the packing of this column. Moreover, the solid‐state fluorescence of this host system can change according to the included guest molecules. This occurs because of the change in the relative arrangement of the pyrene rings as they adjust to the tuning of the packing of the shared 2₁‐helical column, according to the size of the included guest molecules. Therefore, this host system can recognize slight differences in molecular size and shape.