π-π interactions in the self-assembly of melamine and barbituric acid derivatives

Self-assembly of a pair of complementary molecular components, 5-(4-dodecyloxyben-zylidene)-(1H,3H)-2,4,6-pyrimidinetrione (PB12) and 4-amino-2,6-didodecylamino-1, 3, 5-triazine (M12) was studied by cyclic voltammogram, surface photovoltage spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR and X-ray diffraction. It is found that after mixing equimolar amount of PB12 and M12 at room temperature, not only triply complementary hydrogen bonds are formed between PB12 and M12 but also further self-assembly of the supermolecules based on network of hydrogen bonds occurs via π-π interactions. During the self-assembly of the supermolecules, π-π interactions are induced by delocalized interactions between the HOMO of M12 and the LUMO of PB12, resulting in the formation of a supramolecular nanotube with a layered structure bearing a d value of 0.41 nm and PB12 and M12are arranged alternatively between adjacent supermolecules.