Crystal structures of chloro-, bromo-, and nitro-substituted chromium(III) acetylacetonates

The molecular and crystal structures of chlorine-, bromine-, and nitro-substituted chromium(III) acetylacetonate are determined. Connecting the substituent to the central atom does not change bond lengths and valence angles in metal chelate rings. Studied chromium complexes are characterized by greater intermolecular interactions compared with analogous metal acetylacetonates. In some cases, intermolecular interactions increase the bend of chelate rings along the O?O line. Substituents do not interact with chromium ions of neighboring molecules because metal is blocked by three ligands.     

[1‐(Pyrazin‐2‐yl)ethylidene]hydrazine: a new multitopic ligand for the design of hybrid molecular frameworks

Hydrazones and their derivatives are closely related to imine compounds and are potential antimicrobial agents. They have also found application in supramolecular chemistry as multitopic ligands to link multiple metal centres for the design of hybrid molecular frameworks. The molecule of the title compound, C₆H₈N₄, consists of an imine linkage with an N—N bond length of 1.3540 (14) Å. This asymmetric compound is nearly planar and adopts an E configuration about the azomethine C=N double bond. In the solid state, there are two intermolecular N—H…N interactions that interconnect the molecules into a two‐dimensional network. The three‐dimensional arrangement of the crystal packing is further stabilized by intermolecular π–π interactions interconnecting the centroids of the heterocyclic rings.     

2‐[(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)iminomethyl]­thiophene

The molecular structure of the title compound, C₁₁H₉NOS, has three planar moieties, two of which are rings, namely the hydroxy­phenyl and the thio­phene, with an angle of 20.76 (10)° between them. The crystal structure is stabilized by an O—H?N hydrogen bond and by C—H?O intermolecular interactions. The C?O intermolecular contact distance is 3.443 (2) Å.     

Crystal engineering: a holistic view

Crystal engineering, the design of molecular solids, is the synthesis of functional solid-state structures from neutral or ionic building blocks, using intermolecular interactions in the design strategy. Hydrogen bonds, coordination bonds, and other less directed interactions define substructural patterns, referred to in the literature as supramolecular synthons and secondary building units. Crystal engineering has considerable overlap with supramolecular chemistry, X-ray crystallography, materials science, and solid-state chemistry and yet it is a distinct discipline in itself. The subject goes beyond the traditional divisions of organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, and this makes for a very eclectic blend of ideas and techniques. The purpose of this Review is to highlight some current challenges in this rapidly evolving subject. Among the topics discussed are the nature of intermolecular interactions and their role in crystal design, the sometimes diverging perceptions of the geometrical and chemical models for a molecular crystal, the relationship of these models to polymorphism, knowledge-based computational prediction of crystal structures, and efforts at mapping the pathway of the crystallization reaction.     

The X-Ray Crystal Structure and Packing of a Hexakis-adduct of C60: Temperature dependence of weak C?H…︁O interactions

The crystal structure and packing of the C₆₀ hexakis-adduct 1 has been determined from accurate X-ray diffraction measurements. The largest deformations on the C₆₀ surface occur within the bridged pyracylene subunits; the bridgehead 6–6 bond lengths of the four cyclopropane and the two cyclohexene rings, attached in pseudo-octahedral positions, are close to 1.6 Å. Significant deformations also occur in the remaining part of the C₆₀ skeleton, not bridged to any of the functional groups. The crystal packing, analyzed at 270, 230, and 180 K is characterized by a three-dimensional network of 14 weak C? H…?O interactions. For most of these, H…?O and C…?O distances decrease on cooling the crystal specimen, indicating that they are attractive in nature. On the other hand, the shortest, nearly linear C(sp³)? H…?O contact seems to be repulsive, since cooling of the crystal specimen leads to significantly longer H…?O and C…?O distances and to a reduction of the C? H…?O linearity. Probably as a result of this intermolecular expansion, strain is produced in the crystal. Depending on the crystal-mounting procedure, this can lead either to a disordered structure (below ca. 200 K), or to destruction of the crystal specimen.     

From Intramolecular (Circular) in an Isolated Molecule to Intermolecular Hole Delocalization in a Two‐Dimensional Solid‐State Assembly: The Case of Pillarene

To achieve long‐range charge transport/separation and, in turn, bolster the efficiency of modern photovoltaic devices, new molecular scaffolds are needed that can self‐assemble in two‐dimensional (2D) arrays while maintaining both intra‐ and intermolecular electronic coupling. In an isolated molecule of pillarene, a single hole delocalizes intramolecularly via hopping amongst the circularly arrayed hydroquinone ether rings. The crystallization of pillarene cation radical produces a 2D self‐assembly with three intermolecular dimeric (sandwich‐like) contacts. Surprisingly, each pillarene in the crystal lattice bears a fractional formal charge of +1.5. This unusual stoichiometry of oxidized pillarene in crystals arises from effective charge distribution within the 2D array via an interplay of intra‐ and intermolecular electronic couplings. This important finding is expected to help advance the rational design of efficient solid‐state materials for long‐range charge transfer.     

The high-pressure electronic structure of the [Ni(ptdt)2] organic molecular conductor

The electronic structure of the single component molecular crystal [Ni(ptdt)(2)] (ptdt = propylenedithiotetrathiafulvalenedithiolate) is determined at ambient and high pressure using density functional theory. The electronic structure of this crystal is found to be of the "crossing bands" type with respect to the dispersion of the HOMO and LUMO, resulting in a small, non-zero density of states at the Fermi energy at ambient pressure, indicating that this crystal is a "poor quality" metal, and is consistent with the crystal's resistivity exhibiting a semiconductor-like temperature dependence. The ambient pressure band structure is found to be predominantly one-dimensional, reflecting enhanced intermolecular interactions along the [100] stacking direction. Our calculations indicate that the band structure becomes two-dimensional at high pressures and reveals the role of shortened intermolecular contacts in this phenomenon. The integrity of the molecular structure is found to be maintained up to at least 22 GPa. The electronic structure is found to exhibit a crossing bands nature up to 22 GPa, where enhanced intermolecular interactions increase the Brillouin zone centre HOMO-LUMO gap from 0.05 eV at ambient pressure to 0.15 eV at 22 GPa; this enhanced HOMO-LUMO interaction ensures that enhancement of a metallic state in this crystal cannot be simply achieved through the application of pressure, but rather requires some rearrangement of the molecular packing. Enhanced HOMO-LUMO interactions result in a small density of states at the Fermi energy for the high pressure window 19.8-22 GPa, and our calculations show that there is no change in the nature of the electronic structure at the Fermi energy for these pressures. We correspondingly find no evidence of an electronic semiconducting-metal insulator transition for these pressures, contrary to recent experimental evidence [Cui et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 6358 (2009)].     

Diethyl 1-(p-fluoro­phenyl)-5-oxo-3-(2-thienyl)­pyrrolidine-2,2-di­carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C₂₀H₂₀FNO₅S, the pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation. The fluoro­phenyl and thio­phene rings are individually planar. The molecular and crystal structures are stabilized by intra- and intermolecular C—H⋯O interactions.     

Weak intermolecular interactions in 11‐chloro‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐cyclohepta[b]quinoline

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₄ClN, is a chloro analogue of tacrine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The compound comprises a seven‐membered alicyclic ring whose CH donor groups are engaged in extensive intermolecular interactions. The important feature of this crystal structure is that, regardless of the presence of two typical hydrogen‐bonding acceptors, viz. chlorine and nitrogen, the corresponding C—H...Cl and C—H...N interactions take no significant role in crystal stabilization. The molecules form dimers through π–π interactions with an interplanar distance between interacting pyridine rings of 3.576 (1) Å. Within the dimers, the molecules are additionally interconnected by four C—H...π interactions. The dimers arrange into regular columns via further intermolecular C—H...π interactions.     

Synthesis and characterisation of tetra-tetrazole macrocycles

The syntheses of tetra-tetrazole macrocycles, containing two bis-tetrazole units linked by a variety of alkyl-chain lengths from four to eight carbons, are described. The crystal structures of three of these derivatives are reported, and the molecular conformation in the solid state is compared to that of the previously reported tetra-tetrazole macrocycle and to other bis- and tris(tetrazole)benzene structures. The macrocycle conformation is influenced by the length of the alkyl-chain linker, the relative orientation of the tetrazole rings on the benzene ring and by intermolecular interactions. In the macrocycles based on 1,2-bis(tetrazole)benzene, the adjacent tetrazole rings on the benzene ring are prevented from becoming co-planar on intramolecular (steric) grounds. In the 1,3- and 1,4-bis(tetrazole)benzene derivatives, there is no such impediment, and a co-planar arrangement is observed where intra- and/or intermolecular stacking interactions exist. Deviations from co-planarity are associated with optimisation of intermolecular interactions between the tetrazole rings and adjacent alkyl chains. In the macrocycle based on 1,4-bis(tetrazole)benzene with four-carbon linkers, an intramolecular stacking interaction exists, which precludes the presence of any cavity. In the macrocycle based on 1,3-bis(tetrazole)benzene with six-carbon linkers, a cavity of 10.8×9.4 Å is observed for each molecule in the solid state, although the packing of adjacent molecules is such that there are no extended channels running through the crystal.     

Interpreting molecular crystal disorder in plumbocene,Pb(C5H5)2: insight from theory

Plane-wave density functional theory has been applied in a novel way to help interpret the molecular crystal structure disorder observed in the orthorhombic zigzag phase of plumbocene, Pb(C5H5)2. A crystal lattice comprising uniformly staggered C5H5 rings was found to be lower in energy by 2.8 kJ mol-1 per unit cell, compared to a uniformly eclipsed packing arrangement. This energy difference has been attributed to the difference in the strength of intermolecular interactions between the Pb(C5H5)2 chains for the two different lattices. The calculations performed allowed the determination of the crystallographic occupancy factors by a quantum mechanical technique for the first time.     

Polarized infrared spectroscopic study on changes in molecular orientation and interaction during phase transitions of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring

Temperature-dependent polarized infrared spectra were measured over the temperature range 105-30°C for a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring (FLC-1) in the isotropic, smectic A (SmA), and chiral smectic C (SmC*) phases to investigate its molecular conformation, interactions, and alignment in each phase. It has been found, from the temperaturedependent spectral changes in the 1610-1600 cm^-1 region, that the degree of twist between the naphthalene and benzene rings of FLC-1 changes with temperature. The peak intensity of the band at 1606 cm^-1 containing contributions from both the benzene and naphthalene ring stretching modes begins to decrease, not suddenly but gradually, upon going from the SmA phase to the SmC* phase, suggesting that the molecular orientation of the two rings changes gradually between the two phases. The frequencies of two CH₂ stretching bands suggest that the disorder of the alkyl chain of FLC-1 is similar for the liquid crystal phase and the isotropic liquid phase. The splitting of the core C=O stretching band indicates that the resonance system consisting of the benzene ring and the C=O group in the core part of FLC-1 is involved in two kinds of intermolecular interaction between adjacent molecules in the liquid crystal phase.     

Polarized infrared spectroscopic study on changes in molecular orientation and interaction during phase transitions of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring

Temperature-dependent polarized infrared spectra were measured over the temperature range 105-30°C for a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring (FLC-1) in the isotropic, smectic A (SmA), and chiral smectic C (SmC*) phases to investigate its molecular conformation, interactions, and alignment in each phase. It has been found, from the temperaturedependent spectral changes in the 1610-1600 cm^-1 region, that the degree of twist between the naphthalene and benzene rings of FLC-1 changes with temperature. The peak intensity of the band at 1606 cm^-1 containing contributions from both the benzene and naphthalene ring stretching modes begins to decrease, not suddenly but gradually, upon going from the SmA phase to the SmC* phase, suggesting that the molecular orientation of the two rings changes gradually between the two phases. The frequencies of two CH₂ stretching bands suggest that the disorder of the alkyl chain of FLC-1 is similar for the liquid crystal phase and the isotropic liquid phase. The splitting of the core C=O stretching band indicates that the resonance system consisting of the benzene ring and the C=O group in the core part of FLC-1 is involved in two kinds of intermolecular interaction between adjacent molecules in the liquid crystal phase.     

Two polymorphs of 2,5‐dichloro‐3,6‐bis(dibenzylamino)‐p‐hydroquinone with flexible dibenzylamino groups

We obtained two conformational polymorphs of 2,5‐dichloro‐3,6‐bis(dibenzylamino)‐p‐hydroquinone, C₃₄H₃₀Cl₂N₂O₂. Both polymorphs have an inversion centre at the centre of the hydroquinone ring (Z′ = ), and there are no significant differences between their bond lengths and angles. The most significant structural difference in the molecular conformations was found in the rotation of the phenyl rings of the two crystallographically independent benzyl groups. The crystal structures of the polymorphs were distinguishable with respect to the arrangement of the hydroquinone rings and the packing motif of the phenyl rings that form part of the benzyl groups. The phenyl groups of one polymorph are arranged in a face‐to‐edge motif between adjacent molecules, with intermolecular C—H…π interactions, whereas the phenyl rings in the other polymorph form a lamellar stacking pattern with no significant intermolecular interactions. We suggest that this partial conformational difference in the molecular structures leads to the significant structural differences observed in their molecular arrangements.     

New Fluorescence Domain “Excited Multimer” Formed upon Photoexcitation of Continuously Stacked Diaroylmethanatoboron Difluoride Molecules with Fused π‐Orbitals in Crystals

The crystal‐packing structures of seven derivatives of diaroylmethanatoboron difluoride ( 1 a – gBF₂ ) are characterized by no overlap of the π‐conjugated main units of two adjacent molecules (type I), overlap of the benzene ring π‐orbitals of two adjacent molecules (type II), and overlap of the benzene and dihydrodioxaborinine rings π‐orbitals of adjacent molecules (type III). The crystal‐packing structures govern the fluorescence (FL) properties in the crystalline states. The FL domain that is present in type I crystals, in which intermolecular orbital interactions are absent, leads to excited monomer‐like FL properties. In the case of the type II crystals, the presence of intermolecular overlap of the benzene rings π‐orbitals generates new FL domains, referred to as “excited multimers”, which possess allowed S₀–S₁ electronic transitions and, as a result, similar FL lifetimes at longer wavelengths than the FL of the type I crystals. Finally, intermolecular overlap of the benzene and dihydrodioxaborinine ring π‐orbitals in the type III crystals leads to “excited multimer” domains with forbidden S₀–S₁ electronic transitions and longer FL lifetimes at similar wavelengths as that in type I crystals.     

Aggregation feature of fluorine-substituted benzene rings and intermolecular C-H.F interaction: crystal structure analyses of mono- and trifluoro-L-phenylalanines

X-Ray crystal structures of four different fluorine-substituted phenylalanines (two mono- and two tri-substitutions) were analyzed to investigate the effect of fluorine atom on the association pattern of benzene rings. Although respective structures showed similar molecular packing in such a way that the layers of hydrophobic benzene rings and hydrophilic amino/carboxyl groups were alternately running along a crystallographic axis, the association patterns of benzene rings were different depending on the substitution position and number of fluorine atoms. The general features could be that the partially displaced face-to-face interactions are increased with increase in the number of fluorine atoms, whereas the edge-to-face interactions are decreased. The C-H bond next to a fluorine-substituted carbon atom could serve as a donor of an intermolecular C-H.F hydrogen bond.     

High-performance organic field-effect transistors based on pi-extended tetrathiafulvalene derivatives

Aromatic ring-condensed TTF derivatives exhibited excellent p-type FET performances in thin films. Introduction of fused benzene and pyrazine rings to the TTF skeleton was effective to enhance the intermolecular interactions and stability to oxygen. Ordered molecular alignment was confirmed by XRD studies. A pi-stacking structure was observed in the single crystal of diquinoxalinoTTF.     

The molecular and crystal structure of tert-butyl Nalpha-tert-butoxycarbonyl-L-(S-trityl)cysteinate and the conformation-stabilizing function of weak intermolecular bonding

The title compound, C31H37NO4S [systematic name: (R)-tert-butyl-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-(tritylsulfanyl)propanoate] is an L-cysteine derivative with three functions: NH2, COOH and SH, blocked by protecting groups tert-butoxycarbonyl, tert-butyl and trityl, respectively. The main chain of the molecule adopts the extended, nearly all-trans C5 conformation with the intramolecular N-H...O=C hydrogen bond. The urethane group is not involved in any intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Only weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts are observed in the crystal structure. These are C-H...O hydrogen bonds and CH/pi interactions with donor...acceptor distances, C...O ca. 3.5 A and C...C ca. 3.7 A, respectively. The first type of interaction links phenyl H-atoms and carbonyl groups. The second type of interaction is formed between a methyl group of the tert-butyl fragment and a trityl phenyl ring. The resulting molecular conformation in the crystal is very close to an ab initio minimum energy conformer of the isolated molecule. The extended C5 conformation of the main peptide chain is the same and there is slight discrepancy in the disposition of trityl phenyl rings. Their small dislocation creates the possibility of forming the entire network above of extensive, specific, weak intermolecular interactions; these constrain the molecule and permit it to retain the minimum energy C5 conformation of its main chain in the solid state. In contrast, in n-hexane solution, where such specific interactions cannot occur, only a small population of the molecules adopts the extended C5 conformation.     

Solid-emissive boron–fluorine derivatives with large Stokes shift

Novel BOPIM (boron 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole complex) derivatives with large Stokes shift were efficiently synthesized through two-step reactions, starting from commercially available 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and α-diketone. The dyes exhibit high fluorescent intensity in solution and also in solid state due to the intermolecular non-planar interactions. According to X-ray single crystal measurements, the non-covalent interactions (such as C–H?F–B, etc.) play important role in inhibiting planar π–π stacking, and the existence of terminal phenyl rings increases the electronic density of π system, which facilitates the charge transfer from the electron-donating π system to the electron-accepting boron moiety. DFT calculation based on X-ray crystallographic analysis was carried out for compound 2, giving consistent results with photophysical measurements.