The Formation of High‐Order Polybromides in a Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquid: From Monoanions ([Br5]− to [Br11]−) to the Isolation of [PC16H36]2[Br24] as Determined by van der Waals Bonding Radii

An unprecedented diversity of high‐order bromine catenates (anionic polybromides) was generated in a tetraalkylphosphonium‐based room temperature ionic liquid system. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify polybromide monoanions ranging from [Br₅]^? to [Br₁₁]^? in the bulk solution, while single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction identified extended networks of linked [Br₁₁]^? units, forming a previously unknown polymeric [Br₂₄]^2? dianion. This represents the largest polybromide species identified to date. In combination with recent work, this suggests that other, higher order molecular polybromide ions might be isolated.     

Investigation of Large Polychloride Anions: [Cl11]−, [Cl12]2−, and [Cl13]−

For decades the chemistry of polyhalides was dominated by polyiodides and more recently also by an increasing number of polybromides. However, apart from a few structures containing trichloride anions and a single report on an octachloride dianion, [Cl₈]^2?, polychlorine compounds such as polychloride anions are unknown. Herein, we report on the synthesis and investigation of large polychloride monoanions such as [Cl₁₁]^? found in [AsPh₄][Cl₁₁], [PPh₄][Cl₁₁], and [PNP][Cl₁₁]?Cl₂, and [Cl₁₃]^? obtained in [PNP][Cl₁₃]. The polychloride dianion [Cl₁₂]^2? has been obtained in [NMe₃Ph]₂[Cl₁₂]. The novel compounds have been thoroughly characterized by NMR spectroscopy, single‐crystal Raman spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The assignment of their spectra is supported by molecular and periodic solid‐state quantum‐chemical calculations.     

In situ Alkylation of 4,4′‐Vinylenedipyridine for Inorganic‐Organic Iodides/Iodidomercurates

Solvothermal reactions of HgI₂, 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine, and HI in alcoholic solution (methanol, ethanol, or pentanol) gave rise to a family of organic‐inorganic hybrid complexes, formulated as [C₁₄H₁₆N₂][I₄]^2– ( 1 ), [C₁₆H₂₀N₂][HgI₄] ( 2 ), and [C₂₂H₃₂N₂][HgI₄]₄ ( 3 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals that all three compounds are discrete structures, including the inorganic anion [I₄]^2– or [HgI₄]^2– and an organic cation, where the resulting organic cations were generated in situ alkylation reactions of 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine with alcohols, with cleavage of the alcoholic C–O bond followed by a one‐step in situ N‐alkylation reaction of 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine in acidic HI solution. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDS), IR, as well as UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the complexes.     

Highly Selective and Sensitive Voltammetric Sensor Based on Ruthenium Nanoparticle Anchored Calix[4]amidocrown‐5 Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide: Simultaneous Determination of Quercetin,Morin and Rutin in Grape Wine

In this report, ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs) and calix[4]amidocrown‐5 (C4A5) were synthesized and grafted onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite (RuNPs/C4A5/RGO). The morphologies of the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical experiments were performed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry. The simultaneous determination of quercetin, rutin and morin was performed on glassy carbon electrode modified with RuNPs/C4A5/RGO (RuNPs/C4A5/RGO/GCE). The linearity ranges and the detection limits of QR, RT and MR were 1.0×10^?10–1.0×10^?8 M and 2.0×10^?11 M respectively.     

Towards a Molecular Understanding of Cation–Anion Interactions—Probing the Electronic Structure of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids by NMR Spectroscopy,X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations

Ten [C₈C₁Im]⁺ (1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium)‐based ionic liquids with anions Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, [NO₃]^?, [BF₄]^?, [TfO]^?, [PF₆]^?, [Tf₂N]^?, [Pf₂N]^?, and [FAP]^? (TfO=trifluoromethylsulfonate, Tf₂N=bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, Pf₂N=bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, FAP=tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate) and two [C₈C₁C₁Im]⁺ (1,2‐dimethyl‐3‐octylimidazolium)‐based ionic liquids with anions Br^? and [Tf₂N]^? were investigated by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. While ¹H NMR spectroscopy is found to probe very specifically the strongest hydrogen‐bond interaction between the hydrogen attached to the C² position and the anion, a comparative XPS study provides first direct experimental evidence for cation–anion charge‐transfer phenomena in ionic liquids as a function of the ionic liquid’s anion. These charge‐transfer effects are found to be surprisingly similar for [C₈C₁Im]⁺ and [C₈C₁C₁Im]⁺ salts of the same anion, which in combination with theoretical calculations leads to the conclusion that hydrogen bonding and charge transfer occur independently from each other, but are both more pronounced for small and more strongly coordinating anions, and are greatly reduced in the case of large and weakly coordinating anions.     

An Amino‐Acid‐Based Self‐Healing Hydrogel: Modulation of the Self‐Healing Properties by Incorporating Carbon‐Based Nanomaterials

An amino‐acid‐based (11‐(4‐(pyrene‐1‐yl)butanamido)undecanoic acid) self‐repairing hydrogel is reported. The native hydrogel, as well as hybrid hydrogels, have been thoroughly characterized by using various microscopic techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and by using rheological experiments. The native hydrogel exhibited interesting fluorescence properties, as well as a self‐healing property. Interestingly, the self‐healing, thixotropy, and stiffness of the native hydrogel can be successfully modulated by incorporating carbon‐based nanomaterials, including graphene, pristine single‐walled carbon nanotubes (Pr‐SWCNTs), and both graphene and Pr‐SWCNTs, within the native gel system. The self‐recovery time of the gel was shortened by the inclusion of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), Pr‐SWCNTs, or both RGO and Pr‐SWCNTs. Moreover, hybrid gels that contained RGO and/or Pr‐SWCNTs exhibited interesting semiconducting behavior.     

Preparation of a Reduced Graphene Oxide Wrapped Lithium‐Rich Cathode Material by Self‐Assembly

A lithium‐rich cathode material wrapped in sheets of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and functionalized with polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) was prepared by self‐assembly induced from the electrostatic interaction between PDDA–RGO and the Li‐rich cathode material. At current densities of 1000 and 2000 mA g^?1, the PDDA–RGO sheet wrapped samples demonstrated increased discharge capacities, increasing from 125 to 155 mA h g^?1 and from 82 to 124 mA h g^?1, respectively. The decreased resistance implied by this result was confirmed from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results, wherein the charge‐transfer resistance of the pristine sample decreased after wrapping with the PDDA–RGO sheets. The PDDA–RGO sheets served as a protective layer sand as a conductive material, which resulted in an improvement in the retention capacity from 56 to 81 % after 90 cycles.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of biologically significant bis(1,3‐dimesityl‐4,5‐naphthoquinoimidazol‐2‐ylidene)gold(I) complexes with chloride and dichloridoaurate counter‐ions

Diffraction‐quality single crystals of two gold(I) complexes, namely bis(1,3‐dimesityl‐4,5‐naphthoquinoimidazol‐2‐ylidene)gold(I) chloride benzene monosolvate, [Au(C₂₉H₂₆N₂O₂)₂]Cl·C₆H₆ or [(NQMes)₂Au]Cl·C₆H₆, 2 , and bis(1,3‐dimesityl‐4,5‐naphthoquinoimidazol‐2‐ylidene)gold(I) dichloridoaurate(I) dichloromethane disolvate, [Au(C₂₉H₂₆N₂O₂)₂][AuCl₂]·2CH₂Cl₂ or [(NQMes)₂Au][AuCl₂]·2CH₂Cl₂, 4 , were isolated and studied with the aid of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2 crystallizes in a monoclinic space group C2/c with eight molecules in the unit cell, while compound 4 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with two molecules in the unit cell. The crystal lattice of compound 2 reveals C—H…Cl^? interactions that are present throughout the entire structure representing head‐to‐tail contacts between the aromatic (C—H) hydrogens of naphthoquinone and Cl^? counter‐ions. Compound 4 stacks with the aid of short interactions between a naphthoquinone O atom of one molecule and the mesityl methyl group of another molecule along the a axis, leading to a one‐dimensional strand that is held together by strong π–η² interactions between the imidazolium backbone and the [AuCl₂]^? counter‐ion. The bond angles defined by the Au^I atom and two carbene C atoms [C(carbene)—Au—C(carbene)] in compounds 2 and 4 are nearly rectilinear, with an average value of ～174.1 [2]°. Though 2 and 4 share the same cation, they differ in their counter‐anion, which alters the crystal lattice of the two compounds. The knowledge gleaned from these studies is expected to be useful in understanding the molecular interactions of 2 and 4 under physiological conditions.     

Mn (II) and Zn (II) complexes of a benzimidazole ligand having undecyl chains: Crystal structures,photophysical and thermal properties

A new tridentate benzimidazole ligand (L‐C¹¹) containing undecyl chains and its Mn (II) and Zn (II) complexes were synthesised and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Molecular structures of complexes [Mn(L‐C¹¹)Cl₂] and [Zn(L‐C¹¹)Cl₂] were evaluated by X‐ray diffraction studies. The X‐ray data showed metal ions in both complexes are five‐coordinate with distorted square pyramidal geometry around the metal centres. The undecyl chains in the structure of the complexes are aligned in an interdigitated manner (head to tail) forming a non‐polar domain. The aggregation properties of the ligand and its complexes were investigated by UV–Vis. absorption and emission spectroscopies in DMF‐water mixtures. The emission spectral data revealed that the compounds showed aggregation induced quenching (AIQ) in DMF‐water solutions. Moreover, thermal properties of the compounds were investigated by TG, DTG and DSC analysis.     

Two hydro­chlorides of 7‐methyl‐3,7,11,17‐tetra­aza­bi­cyclo­[11.3.1]­heptadeca‐1(17),13,15‐triene

The X‐ray structure determinations of the two title com­pounds, namely 7‐methyl‐7,17‐di­aza‐3,11‐diazo­niabi­cyclo[11.3.1]­hep­ta­deca‐1(17),13,15‐triene dichloride monohydrate, C₁₄H₂₆N₄²⁺·2Cl^?·H₂O, (I), and 7‐methyl‐17‐aza‐3,7,11‐triazo­niabi­cyclo­[11.3.1]­heptadeca‐1(17),13,15‐triene 2.826‐chloride 0.174‐nitrate, C₁₄H₂₇N₄³⁺·2.826Cl^?·0.174NO₃^?, (II), are re­ported. Protonation occurs at the secondary amine N atoms in (I) and at all three amine N atoms in (II) to which the Cl^? ions are linked via N—H?Cl hydrogen bonds. The macrocyclic hole is quite different in both structures, as is observed by comparing particularly the N3?N4 distances [2.976 (4) and 4.175 (4) Å for (I) and (II), respectively]. In (II), a Cl^? ion alternates with an NO₃^? ion in a disordered structure.     

Non‐Covalent Functionalization of Graphene with Bisphenol A for High‐Performance Supercapacitors

The reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/bisphenol A (BPA) composites were prepared by an adsorption‐reduction method. The composites are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV‐vis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirm that BPA is adsorbed on the basal plane of RGO by π‐π stacking interaction. Furthermore, the electrochemical behaviors were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the RGO/BPA nanocomposites exhibit ultrahigh specific capacitance of 466 F·g^?1 at a current density of 1 A·g^?1, excellent rate capability (more than 81% retention at 10 A·g^?1 relative to 1 A·g^?1) and superior cycling stability (90% capacitance decay after 4000 cycles). Consequently, the RGO/BPA nanocomposites can be regarded as promising electrode materials for supercapacitor applications.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and DNA‐Binding Properties of a New Cd(II) Complex Involving 2‐(2‐1H‐Imidazolyl)‐1H‐Imdazolium Ligand

A new Cd(II) complex of Cd(H₃biim)₂(NCS)₂Cl₂ [H₃biim=2‐(2‐1H‐imidazolyl)‐1H‐imidazolium] was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT‐IR and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. In the X‐ray crystallography structure, the cadmium(II) ion is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms of two 2‐(2‐1H‐imidazolyl)‐ 1H‐imdazolium, two nitrogen atoms of two thiocyanate ions and two Cl^?. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA was investigated through electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, cyclic voltammetry and gel electrophoresis. These results show that the Cd(II) complex can electrostatically bind to the phosphate group of DNA backbone. Interestingly, we found that the complex can cleave the pBR322 DNA at pH=7.2 and 37°C.     

(1‐Butyl‐4‐methyl‐pyridinium)[Cu(SCN)2]: A Coordination Polymer and Ionic Liquid

The compound (C₄C₁py)[Cu(SCN)₂], (C₄C₁py=1‐Butyl‐4‐methyl‐pyridinium), which can be obtained from CuSCN and the ionic liquid (C₄C₁py)(SCN), turns out to be a new organic–inorganic hybrid material as it qualifies both, as a coordination polymer and an ionic liquid. It features linked [Cu(SCN)₂]^? units, in which the thiocyanates bridge the copper ions in a μ_1,3‐fashion. The resulting one‐dimensional chains run along the a axis, separated by the C₄C₁py counterions. Powder X‐ray diffraction not only confirms the single‐crystal X‐ray structure solution but proves the reformation of the coordination polymer from an isotropic melt. However, the materials shows a complex thermal behavior often encountered for ionic liquids such as a strong tendency to form a supercooled melt. At a relatively high cooling rate, glass formation is observed. When heating this melt in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature‐dependent polarizing optical microscopy (POM), investigations reveal the existence of a less thermodynamically stable crystalline polymorph. Raman measurements conducted at 10 and 100 °C point towards the formation of polyanionic chain fragments in the melt. Solid‐state UV/Vis spectroscopy shows a broad absorption band around 18 870 cm^?1 (530 nm) and another strong one below 20 000 cm^?1 (<500 nm). The latter is attributed to the d(Cu^I)→π*(SCN)‐MLCT (metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer) transition within the coordination polymer yielding an energy gap of 2.4 eV. At room temperature and upon irradiation with UV light, the material shows a weak fluorescence band at 15 870 cm^?1 (630 nm) with a quantum efficiency of 0.90(2) % and a lifetime of 131(2) ns. Upon lowering the temperature, the luminescence intensity strongly increases. Simultaneously, the band around 450 nm in the excitation spectrum decreases.     

Bis[2‐(3‐pyridinio)benzimidazolium] di‐μ‐chloro‐bis­[trichloro­cadmium(II)]

The title compound, (C₁₂H₁₁N₃)₂[Cd₂Cl₈], consists of two discrete 2‐(3‐pyridinio)benzimidazolium cations and one [Cd₂Cl₈]⁴⁻ anion. The dimeric [Cd₂Cl₈]⁴⁻ anion lies about an inversion centre and consists of two distorted [CdCl₅] trigonal bipyramids which share a common edge. The two Cd atoms are each coordinated by two μ‐Cl atoms and three terminal Cl atoms, with a Cd·Cd separation of 3.9853 (6) Å. The packing displays two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded sheets, which are further linked by C—H·Cl contacts and π–π stacking inter­actions to yield a three‐dimensional network.     

Ethyl‐Zinc(II)‐Cation Equivalents: Synthesis and Hydroamination Catalysis

Ion‐like ethylzinc(II) compounds with weakly coordinating aluminates [Al(OR^F)₄]^? and [(R^FO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) were synthesized in a one‐pot reaction and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of ion‐like Et‐Zn[Al(OR^F)₄] in intermolecular hydroamination and in the unusual double hydroamination of anilines and alkynes was investigated. Favorable performance was also found in comparison to the Et₂Zn/ [PhNMe₂H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? system generated in situ at lower catalyst loadings of 2.5 mol %.     

Zinc‐containing ionic liquid as a dual solvent‐catalyst in base‐free condensations under ultrasonic irradiation

In this study, natural‐based ionic liquid (IL) using caffeine (Caff), trietahnolamine (TEA) and ZnBr₂, [Caff‐TEA]⁺[ZnBr₃]^?, which features high catalytic activity and environmentally‐friendly nature was synthesized with melting point of 76 °C by a facile method. The synthesized [Caff‐TEA]⁺[ZnBr₃]^? has high catalytic activity as both of catalyst and solvent in condensation reactions for the synthesis of benzylidenes, bis‐hydroxyenones and xanthenes. Synthesized IL was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹HNMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Also synthesized heterocycles were characterized by FT‐IR, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹HNMR) and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³CNMR).     

Protonation of CH3N3 and CF3N3 in Superacids: Isolation and Structural Characterization of Long‐Lived Methyl‐ and Trifluoromethylamino Diazonium Ions

The methylamino diazonium cations [CH₃N(H)N₂]⁺ and [CF₃N(H)N₂]⁺ were prepared as their low‐temperature stable [AsF₆]^? salts by protonation of azidomethane and azidotrifluoromethane in superacidic systems. They were characterized by NMR and Raman spectroscopy. Unequivocal proof of the protonation site was obtained by the crystal structures of both salts, confirming the formation of alkylamino diazonium ions. The Lewis adducts CH₃N₃?AsF₅ and CF₃N₃?AsF₅ were also prepared and characterized by low‐temperature NMR and Raman spectroscopy, and also by X‐ray structure determination for CH₃N₃?AsF₅. Electronic structure calculations were performed to provide additional insights. Attempted electrophilic amination of aromatics such as benzene and toluene with methyl‐ and trifluoromethylamino diazonium ions were unsuccessful.     

B3N3 Borazine Substitution in Hexa‐peri‐Hexabenzocoronene: Computational Analysis and Scholl Reaction of Hexaphenylborazine

The doping of graphene molecules by borazine (B₃N₃) units may modify the electronic properties favorably. Therefore, the influence of the substitution of the central benzene ring of hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC, C₄₂H₁₈) by an isoelectronic B₃N₃ ring resulting in C₃₆B₃N₃H₁₈ (B3N3HBC) is investigated by computational methods. For comparison, the isoelectronic and isosteric all‐B/N molecule B₂₁N₂₁H₁₈ (termed BN) and its carbon derivative C₆B₁₈N₁₈H₁₈ (C6BN), obtained by substitution of a central B₃N₃ by a C₆ ring, are also studied. The substitution of C₆ in the HBC molecule by a B₃N₃ unit results in a significant change of the computed IR vibrational spectrum between 1400 and 1600 cm^?1 due to the polarity of the borazine core. The properties of the BN molecule resemble those of hexagonal boron nitride, and substitution of the central B₃N₃ ring by C₆ changes the computed IR vibrational spectrum only slightly. The allowed transitions to excited states associated with large oscillator strengths shift to higher energy upon going from HBC to B3N3HBC, but to lower energy upon going from BN to C6BN. The possibility of synthesis of B3N3HBC from hexaphenylborazine (HPB) using the Scholl reaction (CuCl₂/AlCl₃ in CS₂) is investigated. Rather than the desired B3N3HBC an insoluble and X‐ray amorphous polymer P is obtained. Its analysis by IR and ¹¹B magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy reveals the presence of borazine units. The changes in the ¹¹B quadrupolar coupling constant C_Q, asymmetry parameter η, and isotropic chemical shift δ_iso(¹¹B) with respect to HPB are in agreement with a structural model that includes B3N3HBC‐derived monomeric units in polymer P. This indicates that both intra‐ and intermolecular cyclodehydrogenation reactions take place during the Scholl reaction of HPB.     

Jahn–Teller Effect in Circulenes: X‐ray Diffraction Study of Coronene and Corannulene Radical Anions

Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of two polyaromatic radical anions crystallized as sodium salts, namely [Na(DME)₃]⁺[C₂₀H₁₀^?] ( 1 ) and [Na(DME)₃]⁺[C₂₄H₁₂^?] ( 2 ) are reported. This allowed the first structural evaluation of Jahn–Teller (JT) effects for monoreduced circulenes and a comparison between bowl‐shaped corannulene and planar coronene. The C_s and D_2h symmetrical distortions are found to fit the experimental data for C₂₀H₁₀^.? and C₂₄H₁₂^.?, respectively. The continuous symmetry measure (CSM) analysis was carried out to provide a quantitative measure of the JT distortions in 1 and 2 . In addition, the X‐ray crystallographic results were fully supported by DFT calculations.     

Synthesis,Interionic Structure,and Reactivity toward CO and p‐Methylstyrene of Palladacyclic Compounds Bearing α‐Diimine Ligands

Palladacyclic compounds [Pd(C₆H₄(C₆H₅C?O)C?N? R)(N? N)] [X] (R = Et, ⁱPr, 2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; N? N = bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, or 1,4‐(o,o′‐dialkylaryl)‐1,4‐diazabuta‐1,3‐dienes; [X]^? = [BF₄]^? or [PF₆]^?) were synthesized from the dimers [{Pd(C₆H₄(C₆H₅C?O)C?N? R)(μ‐Cl)}₂] and N? N ligands. Their interionic structure in CD₂Cl₂ was determined by means of ¹⁹F,¹H‐HOESY experiments and compared with that in the solid state derived from X‐ray single‐crystal studies. [Pd(C₆H₄(C₆H₅C?O)C?N? R)(N? N)] [X] complexes were found to copolymerize CO and p‐methylstyrene affording syndiotactic or isotactic copolymers when bpy or 1,4‐(o,o′‐dimethylaryl)‐1,4‐diazabuta‐1,3‐dienes were used, respectively. The reactions with CO and p‐methylstyrene of the bpy derivatives were investigated. Two intermediates derived from a single and a double insertion of CO into the Pd? C bonds were isolated and completely characterized in solution.