Probing anion-pi interactions in 1-D Co(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) coordination polymers containing flexible pyrazine ligands

Two flexible thioether-containing heterocyclic ligands bis(2-pyrazylmethyl)sulfide (L1) and 2-benzylsulfanylmethylpyrazine (L2) have arene rings with differing pi-acidities which were used to probe anion-pi binding in five 1-D coordination polymers formed from the metal salts Co(ClO4)2, Ni(NO3)2, and Cd(NO3)2. In {Co(L1)(MeCN)2](ClO4)2}infinity (1), {Ni(L1)(NO3)2]}infinity (2), and {Cd2(L1)(MeCN)(H2O)(NO3)4].H2O}infinity (3.H2O), the symmetrical ligand L1 was bound facially to the metal center and was bridged through a pyrazine donor to an adjacent metal forming a polymer chain. The folding of L1 formed U-shaped pi-pockets in 1 and 3.H2O which encapsulated free and bound anions, respectively. The anions interacted with the pi-acidic centers in a variety of different binding modes including anion-pi-anion and pi-anion-pi sandwiching. A wider pi-pocket was formed in 2 which also contained anion-pi interactions. The polymer chains in 2 were interdigitated through a rare type of complementary T-shaped N(pyrazine)...pi interaction. In {Co(L2)(H2O)3](ClO4)2.H2O}infinity (4.H2O) and {Cd(L2)(H2O)(NO3)2]}infinity (5), the unsymmetrical ligand L2 chelated the metal center and bridged through a pyrazine donor to an adjacent metal forming a polymer chain. The ligand arrangement resulted in the anions in both structures being involved in only anion-pi-anion sandwich interactions. In 4.H2O, the noncoordinated ClO4- anions interacted with only one chain while in 5 the coordinated NO3- anions acted as anion-pi supramolecular synthons between chains. Comparison between the polymers formed with ligands L1 and L2 showed that only the more pi-acidic ring was involved in the anion-pi interactions.