Calix[4]pyrrole‐Based Heteroditopic Ion‐Pair Receptor That Displays Anion‐Modulated,Cation‐Binding Behavior

A new ditopic ion‐pair receptor 1 was designed, synthesized, and characterized. Detailed binding studies served to confirm that this receptor binds fluoride and chloride ions (studied as their tetraalkylammonium salts) and forms stable 1:1 complexes in CDCl₃. Treatment of the halide‐ion complexes of 1 with Group I and II metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺; studied as their perchlorate salts in CD₃CN) revealed unique interactions that were found to depend on both the choice of the added cation and the precomplexed anion. In the case of the fluoride complex [ 1? F]^? (preformed as the tetrabutylammonium (TBA⁺) complex), little evidence of interaction with the K⁺ ion was seen. In contrast, when this same complex (i.e., [ 1? F]^? as the TBA⁺ salt) was treated with the Li⁺ or Na⁺ ions, complete decomplexation of the receptor‐bound fluoride ion was observed. In sharp contrast to what was seen with Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺, treating complex [ 1? F]^? with the Cs⁺ ion gave rise to a stable, receptor‐bound ion‐pair complex [Cs ?1? F] that contains the Cs⁺ ion complexed within the cup‐like cavity of the calix[4]pyrrole, which in turn was stabilized in its cone conformation. Different complexation behavior was observed in the case of the chloride complex [ 1? Cl]^?. In this case, no appreciable interaction was observed with Na⁺ or K⁺. In addition, treating [ 1? Cl]^? with Li⁺ produces a tightly hydrated dimeric ion‐pair complex [ 1? LiCl(H₂O)]₂ in which two Li⁺ ions are bound to the crown moiety of the two receptors. In analogy to what was seen in the case of [ 1? F]^?, exposure of [ 1? Cl]^? to the Cs⁺ ion gives rise to an ion‐pair complex [Cs ?1? Cl] in which the cation is bound within the cup of the calix[4]pyrrole. Different complexation modes were also observed when the binding of the fluoride ion was studied by using the tetramethylammonium and tetraethylammonium salts.     

Coordination behaviour and two‐dimensional‐network formation in poly[[μ‐aqua‐diaqua(μ5‐propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetato)dilithium(I)cobalt(II)] dihydrate]: the first example of an MII–1,3‐pdta complex with a monovalent metal counter‐ion

The title compound, {[CoLi₂(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₈)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n, constitutes the first example of a salt of the [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex (1,3‐pdta is propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetate) with a monopositive cation as counter‐ion. Insertion of the Li⁺ cation could only be achieved through application of the ion‐exchange column technique which, however, appeared unsuccessful with other alkali metals and the ammonium cation. The structure contains two tetrahedrally coordinated Li⁺ cations, an octahedral [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ anion and five water molecules, two of which are uncoordinated, and is built of two‐dimensional layers extending parallel to the (010) lattice plane, the constituents of which are connected by the coordinate bonds. O—H_water...O hydrogen bonds operate both within and between these layers. The crystal investigated belongs to the enantiomeric space group P2₁ with only one (Λ) of two possible optical isomers of the [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex. A possible cause of enantiomer separation during crystallization might be the rigidification and polarization of the [M(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ core, resulting from direct coordination of Li⁺ cations to three out of four carboxylate groups constituting the 1,3‐pdta ligand. The structure of (I) differs considerably from those of the other [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complexes, in which the charge compensation is realized by means of divalent hexaaqua complex cations. This finding demonstrates a significant structure‐determining role of the counter‐ions.     

Vinyl sulfones

Four neutral vinyl sulfones, two of which are paired with phosphonate groups, are described. The compounds are diisopropyl (2‐phenylethenylsulfonylmethyl)phosphonate, C₁₅H₂₃O₅PS, (I), diisopropyl {[2‐(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)ethenylsulfonyl]methylsulfonylmethyl}phosphonate, C₁₈H₂₇O₁₀PS₂, (II), bis(trans‐2‐phenylethenyl) sulfone, C₁₆H₁₄O₂S, (III), and bis(trans‐2‐phenylethenylsulfonyl)methane, C₁₇H₁₆O₄S₂, (IV). Their structures can be considered as highly functionalized mimics of mono‐, di‐ and triphosphates. These phosphate isosteres are currently of interest as agents for enzyme inhibition in both cancer and HIV therapy. All except one of the compounds has Z′ > 1. The lone exception is (IV), a disulfone with twofold crystallographic symmetry. Geometrically, the sulfone functionality is found to be a good mimic for phosphate. The principal effect of the vinyl group is to shorten the S—C(vinyl) distance relative to the S—CH₂ distance by ca 0.05 Å. The S—C—S and S—C—P backbones resemble the P—O—P backbone but are not identical because the S—C and P—C distances are longer than the P—O distance and the S—C—S and S—C—P angles are more acute than the P—O—P angle. No prior crystal structures of comparable compounds have been published.     

Polymers Bearing an S‐Sulfate Side Chain. Oxidative Crosslinking of the Copolymer of Vinyl Mercaptoacetate S‐Sulfate and 2‐Hydroxyethyl Acrylate

Vinyl mercaptoacetate S‐sulfate sodium salt (VMAS) was prepared with a yield of 74% from a reaction of vinyl chloroacetate and sodium thiosulfate. Polymerization of VMAS with 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) in the presence of ammonium persulfate and N,N,N ′,N ′‐tetramethylethylenediamine afforded a colorless copolymer bearing the S—SO₃^– Na⁺ group in 3.2–4.3 mol‐% and having a MW of 2.4–13×10⁴. The polymer was water‐soluble but, upon treatment with an oxidizing agent, was transformed quickly into a water‐tolerant material. It again became water‐soluble on the addition of a reducing agent. The unique solubility alternation was explained by the formation and fission of S—S bond crosslinking in the polymer.     

The nature of the bonding of Li+ to H2O and NH3; A3 initio studies

Ab initio wavefunctions have been calculated for the complex of Li⁺ with NH₃ and H₂O in order to better characterize the nature of the bonding. Hartree—Fock and generalized valence bond calculations were performed using a double zeta basis plus polarization functions. The binding energies obtained at the GVB level are D_e (Li⁺ — NH₃) = 40.4 kcal/mol and D_e (Li⁺ ? H₂O) = 37.6 kcal/mol, in reasonable agreement with experimental values. Model calculations indicate that the Li⁺ ? base bond is basically electrostatic. Small basis sets were found to lead to D_e as large as 75 kcal/mol for Li⁺ — NH₃, a significant overestimation. Repulsions due to the Li⁺ core are responsible for keeping the Li⁺ too far away for significant relaxation effects.     

Ab initio calculations on the interaction of oxygen containing ligands with alkali cations. The system H2CO/Li+

Ab initio calculations on formaldehyde/Li⁺ complexes are presented. The most stable arrangement is characterized by an energy of interaction of 43.2 kcal/mole, C_2v symmetry and an oxygen—lithium distance of R_OLi = 1.77 Å. A detailed analysis of the electron density function gives proof of the electrostatic nature of the complexes H₂O/Li⁺ and H₂Co/Li⁺ and shows extensive mutual polarization. The failure of the semi-empirical method to predict the changes in electron density at the Li⁺ cation correctly is explained.     

Enhancement of Oxygen Evolution Activity of Nickel Oxyhydroxide by Electrolyte Alkali Cations

Herein, the effect of the alkali cation (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺) in alkaline electrolytes with and without Fe impurities is investigated for enhancing the activity of nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Cyclic voltammograms show that Fe impurities have a significant catalytic effect on OER activity; however, both under purified and unpurified conditions, the trend in OER activity is Cs⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Li⁺, suggesting an intrinsic cation effect of the OER activity on Fe‐free Ni oxyhydroxide. In situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), shows this cation dependence is related to the formation of superoxo OER intermediate (NiOO^?). The electrochemically active surface area, evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), is not influenced significantly by the cation. We postulate that the cations interact with the Ni?OO^? species leading to the formation of NiOO^??M⁺ species that is stabilized better by bigger cations (Cs⁺). This species would then act as the precursor to O₂ evolution, explaining the higher activity.     

Robust Inclusion Complexes of Crown Ether Fused Tetrathiafulvalenes with Li+@C60 to Afford Efficient Photodriven Charge Separation

Inclusion complexes of benzo‐ and dithiabenzo‐crown ether functionalized monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene (MPTTF) molecules were formed with Li⁺@C₆₀ ( 1? Li⁺@C₆₀ and 2? Li⁺@C₆₀). The strong complexation has been quantified by high binding constants that exceed 10⁶ M ^?1 obtained by UV/Vis titrations in benzonitrile (PhCN) at room temperature. On the basis of DFT studies at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level, the orbital interactions between the crown ether moieties and the π surface of the fullerene together with the endohedral Li⁺ have a crucial role in robust complex formation. Interestingly, complexation of Li⁺@C₆₀ with crown ethers accelerates the intersystem crossing upon photoexcitation of the complex, thereby yielding ³(Li⁺@C₆₀)*, when no charge separation by means of ¹Li⁺@C₆₀* occurs. Photoinduced charge separation by means of ³Li⁺@C₆₀* with lifetimes of 135 and 120 μs for 1? Li⁺@C₆₀ and 2? Li⁺@C₆₀, respectively, and quantum yields of 0.82 in PhCN have been observed by utilizing time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and then confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance measurements at 4 K. The difference in crown ether structures affects the binding constant and the rates of photoinduced electron‐transfer events in the corresponding complex.     

Interplay between Cation–π and Coinage‐Metal–Oxygen Interactions: An Ab Initio Study and Cambridge Structural Database Survey

The interplay between cation–π and coinage‐metal–oxygen interactions are investigated in the ternary systems N???PhCCM???O (N=Li⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺; M=Ag, Au; O=water, methanol, ethanol). A synergetic effect is observed when cation–π and coinage‐metal–oxygen interactions coexist in the same complex. The cation–π interaction in most triads has a greater enhancing effect on the coinage‐metal–oxygen interaction. This effect is analyzed in terms of the binding distance, interaction energy, and electrostatic potential in the complexes. Furthermore, the formation, strength, and nature of both the cation–π and coinage‐metal–oxygen interactions can be understood in terms of electrostatic potential and energy decomposition. In addition, experimental evidence for the coexistence of both interactions is obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD).     

Lithiation of Copper Selenide Nanocrystals

The search for ion‐conductive solid electrolytes for Li⁺ batteries is an important scientific and technological challenge with economic and sustainable energy implications. In this study, nanocrystals (NCs) of the ion conductor copper selenide (Cu_2?ySe) were doped with Li by the process of cation exchange. Li_2xCu_2?2xSe alloy NCs were formed at intermediate stages of the reaction, which was followed by phase segregation into Li₂Se and Cu₂Se domains. Li‐doped Cu_2?ySe NCs and Li₂Se NCs exhibit a possible SI phase at moderately elevated temperatures and warrant further ion‐conductance tests. These findings may guide the design of nanostructured super‐ionic electrolytes for Li⁺ transport.     

Complex formation of O-carboxymethylcalix[4]resorcinolarene with alkaline metal and ammonium ions

Complex formation of 3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26-octa(carboxymethoxy)-1,8,15,22-tetraundecylcalix[4]arene (H₈X) with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and NH₄ ⁺ ions was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and pH-metry in water—DMSO solutions. Binding of one cation occurs during the stepped deprotonation of four carboxymethyl groups in H₈X. The K⁺ ion was found to be bound more efficiently than Li⁺ and Na⁺. The further deprotonation to the penta- and hexaanion leads to the coordination with two cations. The most stable binuclear complex is formed with the Li⁺ ion.     

A Heterobimetallic Superoxide Complex formed through O2 Activation between Chromium(II) and a Lithium Cation

The reaction of 1,1,3,3‐tetraphenyl‐1,3‐disiloxandiol (LH₂) with n‐butyllithium and CrCl₂ results in a mononuclear chromium(II) complex ( 1 ) that further reacts with O₂ at low temperatures to yield a mononuclear chromium(III) superoxide complex [L₂CrO₂(THF)][Li₂(THF)₃] ( 2 ). The crystal structure revealed that the chromium superoxido entity is stabilized by the coordination to an adjacent lithium cation. Complex 2 thus contains an unprecedented heterobimetallic [Cr^III(μ‐O₂)Li⁺] core; beyond this it is the first chromium superoxide for which a temperature‐dependent magnetic characterization could be achieved, and the first structurally characterized representative with chromium in an exclusive O‐donor environment.     

Untersuchungen zur Kristallstruktur von Lithium‐dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborat aus wäßriger Lösung: Li2(H2O)7[B12H12]

Investigations on the Crystal Structure of Lithium Dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate from Aqueous Solution: Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂] By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and subsequent isothermic evaporation of the resulting solution to dryness, it was possible to obtain the heptahydrate of lithium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Li₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · 7 H₂O (≡ Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂]). Its structure has been determined from X‐ray single crystal data at room temperature. The compound crystallizes as colourless, lath‐shaped, deliquescent crystals in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with the lattice constants a = 1215.18(7), b = 934.31(5), c = 1444.03(9) pm and four formula units in the unit cell. The crystal structure of Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂] can not be described as a simple AB₂‐structure type. Instead it forms a layer‐like structure analogous to the well‐known barium compound Ba(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]. Characteristic feature is the formation of isolated cation pairs [Li₂(H₂O)₇]²⁺ in which the water molecules form two [Li(H₂O)₄]⁺ tetrahedra with eclipsed conformation, linked to a dimer via a common corner. The bridging oxygen atom (∢(Li‐ O ‐Li) = 112°) thereby formally substitutes Ba²⁺ in Ba(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂] according to (H₂ O )Li₂(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]. A direct coordinative influence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— cluster anions to the Li⁺ cations is not noticeable, however. The positions of the hydrogen atoms of both the water molecules and the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— units have all been localized. In addition, the formation of B‐H^δ—···^δ+H‐O‐hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and the hydrogen atoms from the anionic [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— clusters is considered and their range and strength is discussed. The dehydratation of the heptahydrate has been investigated by DTA‐TG measurements and shown to take place in two steps at 56 and 151 °C, respectively. Thermal treatment leads to the anhydrous lithium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Li₂[B₁₂H₁₂], eventually.     

Intermetallic Competition in the Fragmentation of Trimetallic Au–Zn–Alkali Complexes

Cationization is a valuable tool to enable mass spectrometric studies on neutral transition‐metal complexes (e.g., homogenous catalysts). However, knowledge of potential impacts on the molecular structure and catalytic reactivity induced by the cationization is indispensable to extract information about the neutral complex. In this study, we cationize a bimetallic complex [AuZnCl₃] with alkali metal ions (M⁺) and investigate the charged adducts [AuZnCl₃M]⁺ by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IR‐MPD) in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal a μ³ binding motif of all alkali ions to the three chlorido ligands. The cationization induces a reorientation of the organic backbone. Collision‐induced dissociation (CID) studies reveal switches of fragmentation channels by the alkali ion and by the CID amplitude. The Li⁺ and Na⁺ adducts prefer the sole loss of ZnCl₂, whereas the K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ adducts preferably split off MCl₂ZnCl. Calculated energetics along the fragmentation coordinate profiles allow us to interpret the experimental findings to a level of subtle details. The Zn²⁺ cation wins the competition for the nitrogen coordination sites against K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ , but it loses against Li⁺ and Na⁺ in a remarkable deviation from a naive hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) concept. The computations indicate expulsion of MCl₂ZnCl rather than of MCl and ZnCl₂.     

The Prominent Enhancing Effect of the Cation–π Interaction on the Halogen–Hydride Halogen Bond in M1⋅⋅⋅C6H5X⋅⋅⋅HM2

We designed M¹???C₆H₅X???HM² (M¹=Li⁺, Na⁺; X=Cl, Br; M²=Li, Na, BeH, MgH) complexes to enhance halogen–hydride halogen bonding with a cation–π interaction. The interaction strength has been estimated mainly in terms of the binding distance and the interaction energy. The results show that halogen–hydride halogen bonding is strengthened greatly by a cation–π interaction. The interaction energy in the triads is two to six times as much as that in the dyads. The largest interaction energy is ?8.31 kcal mol^?1 for the halogen bond in the Li⁺???C₆H₅Br???HNa complex. The nature of the cation, the halogen donor, and the metal hydride influence the nature of the halogen bond. The enhancement effect of Li⁺ on the halogen bond is larger than that of Na⁺. The halogen bond in the Cl donor has a greater enhancement than that in the Br one. The metal hydride imposes its effect in the order HBeH<HMgH<HNa<HLi for the Cl complex and HBeH<HMgH<HLi<HNa for the Br complex. The large cooperative energy indicates that there is a strong interplay between the halogen–hydride halogen bonding and the cation–π interaction. Natural bond orbital and energy decomposition analyses indicate that the electrostatic interaction plays a dominate role in enhancing halogen bonding by a cation–π interaction.     

Theoretical study of the Michael addition of acetylacetone to methyl vinyl ketone catalyzed by the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydroxide

By performing density functional theory calculations, we have investigated the Michael addition of acetylacetone to methyl vinyl ketone in the absence and presence of the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydroxide ([bmIm]OH). In the absence of ionic liquids, acetylacetone is firstly tautomerized to enol form and then takes place Michael addition to methyl vinyl ketone. As in the catalyzed Michael addition reaction, a bmIm⁺‐OH^? ion pair is introduced into the reaction system to model the effect of the ionic liquid environment on the reactivity. The calculated results show that the anion enhances nucleophilic ability of acetylacetone since the OH^? anion captures a proton to form an acetylacetone anion‐H₂O complex, and the cation improves the electrophilic ability of methyl vinyl ketone by forming intermolecular hydrogen‐bonds. Both the remarkable effects of the cation and anion on the reactivity of reactants promote this reaction, which take place more easily compared with uncatalyzed reaction. The calculated results show that the main product of the Michael addition is in its ketone form. Our study provides a detailed reaction mechanism of Michael addition catalyzed by basic ionic liquid [bmIm]OH and clearly reveal the catalytic role of ionic liquid in important chemical reaction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

catena‐Poly­[[di­aqua­lithium(I)]‐μ‐[9H‐purine‐2,6(1H,3H)‐dionato‐O2:N7]]

In the title compound, [Li(C₅H₃N₄O₂)(H₂O)₂]_n, the coordinate geometry about the Li⁺ ion is distorted tetrahedral and the Li⁺ ion is bonded to N and O atoms of adjacent ligand mol­ecules forming an infinite polymeric chain with Li—O and Li—N bond lengths of 1.901 (5) and 2.043 (6) Å, respectively. Tetrahedral coordination at the Li⁺ ion is completed by two cis water mol­ecules [Li—O 1.985 (6) and 1.946 (6) Å]. The crystal structure is stabilized both by the polymeric structure and by a hydrogen‐bond network involving N—H?O, O—H?O and O—H?N hydrogen bonds.     

Photophysical and photochemical processes in zeolite cavities: The effects of ion-exchanged alkalimetal cations on the excited states of xanthone and the photolysis of 2-pentanone

The characteristics properties of xanthone phosphorescence and of 2-pentanone photolysis in alkali metal cation-exchanged zeolites have been investigated to clarify the effect of the micro-environment of host-adsorbents on the photophysical and photochemical properties of guest-molecules in restricted void spaces. The enhancement of the phosphorescence yields of xanthone included in zeolites is observed by changing the exchangeablealkali metal cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. Simultaneously, the phosphorescence lifetimes were observed to continuously shorten by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. These results suggest that the external heavy-atom effect deriving from the alkali metal cations on the singlet-triplet transitions of xanthone molecules stabilized on alkali metal cations in the order of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. The yields for the photolysis of 2-pentanone included in zeolites increase with changing the alkali metal cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. IR investigations of the adsorption state of 2-pentanone indicate that strength of the interaction between the alkali metal cations and 2-pentanones decreases by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺, which results in a longer lifetime of 2-pentanone. The selectivity of propylene formation is dramatically increased by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. The enhanced formation of propylene is asociated with the hydrogen absorption from propyl radicals by lattice oxygen, their basicity increasing by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. Thus, these changes in the zeolite cavities modified by exchanging cations caused significant effects not only on the excited state but also on the following chemical reactions of ketones.     

Cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether initiated with transition‐metal ate complexes

The cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether was examined with transition‐metal ate complexes with trityl cation as initiators. The initiators were generated by the reaction of triphenylmethyl chloride [trityl chloride (TrCl)] with ate complexes of Nb, Mo, and W with lithium cation, which were obtained in situ by the reaction of the transition‐metal halides with anionic reagents (organolithium or lithium amide). When the polymerization was initiated with a mixture of TrCl and Li⁺[NbH₅(NnBuPh)]^?, the resulting poly(isobutyl vinyl ether)s had narrow molecular weight distributions (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.13–1.20). Although the polymerization was supposed to be initiated by the electrophilic attack of the trityl cation, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis of the resulting poly(isobutyl vinyl ether)s revealed the presence of H at the α‐chain end. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2636–2641, 2006     

Cycloparaphenylene‐Based Ionic Donor–Acceptor Supramolecule: Isolation and Characterization of Li+@C60⊂[10]CPP

The first cycloparaphenylene (CPP)‐based ionic donor–acceptor supramolecule Li⁺@C₆₀?[10]CPP?X^? has been synthesized. X‐ray crystallography not only confirmed the molecular structure of Li⁺@C₆₀?[10]CPP?X^? but also uncovered the formation of a unique ionic crystal. The strong charge‐transfer interaction between [10]CPP and Li⁺@C₆₀, which was confirmed by electrochemical measurement and spectroscopic analyses, caused significant delocalization of the positive charge across the entire complex.