Synthesis and Characterization of 5‐Cyanotetrazolide‐Based Ionic Liquids

New salts based on imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, phosphonium, guanidinium, and ammonium cations together with the 5‐cyanotetrazolide anion [C₂N₅]^? are reported. Depending on the nature of cation–anion interactions, characterized by XRD, the ionic liquids (ILs) have a low viscosity and are liquid at room temperature or have higher melting temperatures. Thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, viscosimetry, and impedance spectroscopy display a thermal stability up to 230 °C, an electrochemical window of 4.5 V, a viscosity of 25 mPa s at 20 °C, and an ionic conductivity of 5.4 mS cm^?1 at 20 °C for the IL 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium 5‐cyanotetrazolide [BMPyr][C₂N₅]. On the basis of these results, the synthesized compounds are promising electrolytes for lithium‐ion batteries.     

Pincer‐Type Platinum(II) Complexes Containing N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligand: Structures,Photophysical and Anion‐Binding Properties,and Anticancer Activities

Two classes of pincer‐type Pt^II complexes containing tridentate N‐donor ligands ( 1 – 8 ) or C‐deprotonated N^C^N ligands derived from 1,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)benzene ( 10 – 13 ) and auxiliary N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand were synthesized. [Pt(trpy)(NHC)]²⁺ complexes 1 – 5 display green phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ (Φ: 1.1–5.3 %; τ: 0.3–1.0 μs) at room temperature. Moderate‐to‐intense emissions are observed for 1 – 7 in glassy solutions at 77 K and for 1 – 6 in the solid state. The [Pt(N^C^N)(NHC)]⁺ complexes 10 – 13 display strong green phosphorescence with quantum yields up to 65 % in CHCl₃. The reactions of 1 with a wide variety of anions were examined in various solvents. The tridentate N‐donor ligand of 1 undergoes displacement reaction with CN^? in protic solvents. Similar displacement of the N^C^N ligand by CN^? has been observed for 10 , leading to a luminescence “switch‐off” response. The water‐soluble 7 containing anthracenyl‐functionalized NHC ligand acts as a light “switch‐on” sensor for the detection of CN^? ion with high selectivity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the Pt^II complexes towards HeLa cells has been evaluated. Complex 12 showed high cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 0.46 μM , whereas 1 – 4 and 6 – 8 are less cytotoxic. The cellular localization of the strongly luminescent complex 12 traced by using emission microscopy revealed that it mainly localizes in the cytoplasmic structures rather than in the nucleus. This complex can induce mitochondria dysfunction and subsequent cell death.     

Non‐coordinating‐Anion‐Directed Reversal of Activation Site: Selective C−H Bond Activation of N‐Aryl Rings

An Rh‐catalyzed selective C?H bond activation of diaryl‐substituted anilides is described. In an attempt to achieve C?H activation of C‐aryl rings, we unexpectedly obtained an N‐aryl ring product under non‐coordinating anion conditions, whereas the C‐aryl ring product was obtained in the absence of a non‐coordinating anion. This methodology has proved to be an excellent means of tuning and adjusting selective C?H bond activation of C‐aryl and N‐aryl rings. The approach has been rationalized by mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations. In addition, it has been found and verified that the catalytic activity of the rhodium catalyst is obviously improved by non‐coordinating anions, which provides an efficient strategy for obtaining a highly chemoselective catalyst. Mechanistic experiments also unequivocally ruled out the possibility of a so‐called “silver effect” in this transformation involving silver.     

A Hydrosilylation Approach to Silicon‐Bridged Functional Dipyrromethanes: Introducing Silicon to A New Arena

Two silylene‐spaced ((E)‐vinylsilyl)anthracene‐dipyrromethane dyads have been designed and synthesized by RhCl(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions of 5‐methyl‐5′‐(ethynylaryl)dipyrromethanes with (9‐Anthryl)‐dimethylsilane. The complexation studies of dyads toward different anions have also been performed, which reveal that dyads exhibit a highly selective response towards fluoride anion attributable to both hydrogen‐bonding and pentacoordination phenomena. This dual‐mode fluoride recognition event is unprecedented and may pave the way for future developments in the areas of porphyrinoids, organosilicon, polymer, and supramolecular chemistry.     

Coordinating Ability of Anions,Solvents, Amino Acids,and Gases towards Alkaline and Alkaline-Earth Elements,Transition Metals,and Lanthanides

After briefly reviewing the applications of the coordination ability indices proposed earlier for anions and solvents toward transition metals and lanthanides, a new analysis of crystal structures is applied now to a much larger number of coordinating species: anions (including those that are present in ionic solvents), solvents, amino acids, gases, and a sample of neutral ligands. The coordinating ability towards s-block elements is now also considered. The effect of several factors on the coordinating ability will be discussed: (a) the charge of an anion, (b) the chelating nature of anions and solvents, (c) the degree of protonation of oxo-anions, carboxylates and amino carboxylates, and (d) the substitution of hydrogen atoms by methyl groups in NH₃, ethylenediamine, benzene, ethylene, pyridine and aldehydes. Hit parades of solvents and anions most commonly used in the areas of transition metal, s-block and lanthanide chemistry are deduced from the statistics of their presence in crystal structures.     

Anilate Tethered Neutral Tetrahedral Pd(II) Cages Exhibiting Selective Encapsulation of Xylenes and Mesitylene

The design of porous materials for the recognition of multiple hydrocarbons is highly desirable for the energy-efficient separation and recognition of chemical feedstock. Herein, three new iso-structural porous discrete metal–organic cages of formula {[Pd₃(NiPr)₃PO]₄(R-AN)₆} (R-AN=anilate linkers) for the selective recognition of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons are reported. The tetrahedral cages 1 , 2 , and 3 containing anilate, chloranilate, and bromanilate linkers exhibited selective encapsulation of mesitylene, o-xylene, and p-xylene, respectively, over other analogous aromatic hydrocarbons. These selective encapsulations were driven by the variations in the portal diameters present at each of these cages and their interactions with the hydrocarbon guests. These observations are supported by mass spectrometry, NMR studies, and theoretical binding-energy calculations.