Supramolecular engineering of a 2D Kagomé lattice: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties

Two 2D Mn (II) complexes, [Mn3(TzDC)2(phen)3] x 2 H2O (1; H3TzDC = 1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [Mn3(TzDC)2(bipy)3] x 4 H2O (2; bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and characterized magnetically, and complex 1 was the first example of the chiral complex with a Kagomé lattice connectivity obtained through spontaneous resolution.     

Perovskite-related oxynitrides – Recent developments in synthesis,characterisation and investigations of physical properties

Since the first investigations of perovskite type oxynitrides with the generalised composition ABO_3?xN_x about twenty years ago, these compounds have become of growing interest. The incorporation of nitride ions in the perovskite lattice results in distinct changes in the electronic structure leading to unusual physical properties. In this article we report on new synthesis techniques, different analytical methods, progress in the structural characterisation by comprehensive diffraction techniques and local spectroscopic methods like XAS and NMR as well as state of the art theoretical investigations. Various physical characteristics like electrical and thermal transport parameters and dielectric properties are described. The thermal and chemical stability of oxynitride perovskites are investigated and their applications in different photocatalytic reactions are discussed.     

Highly emissive hand-shaped π-conjugated alkynylpyrenes: synthesis, structures, and photophysical properties

Three alkynyl-functionalised, hand-shaped, highly fluorescent and stable emitters, namely, 2-tert-butyl-4,5,7,9,10-pentakis(p-R-phenylethynyl)pyrenes have been successfully synthesized via a Pd/Cu-catalysed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The chemical structures of the alkynylpyrenes were fully characterized by their (1)H/(13)C NMR spectra, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Synchrotron single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that there is a 1-D, slipped, face-to-face motif with off-set, head-to-tail stacked columns, which are clearly influenced by the single, bulky, tert-butyl group in the pyrene ring at the 2-position. Detailed studies on the photophysical properties in both solutions and thin films strongly indicate that they might be promising candidates for optoelectronic applications, such as organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) or as models for investigating the fluorescent structure-property relationship of the alkynyl-functionalised pyrene derivatives.     

X-rays to study,induce, and pattern structures in sol–gel materials

X-rays investigations have been shown to reveal important information regarding material features and the formation mechanism of mesostructured materials. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis performed using a synchrotron source has been very important in the optimization of the organization of mesoporous coatings obtained by evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA). The interaction between X-rays and ordered mesoporous films has only recently been reported, and new knowledge has been developed to use this external radiation source to tune the local material properties. Here we discuss the recent developments in X-ray lithography combined with sol–gel synthesis to pattern mesostructured and hierarchical porous coatings including the ability to tailor functionalized surfaces.     

Volatile iridium(I) complexes with β-diketones and cyclooctadiene: syntheses,structures and thermal properties

A series of volatile mixed-ligand iridium(I) complexes [Ir(cod)(L)] (cod = cyclooctadiene-1,5, L = R¹C(O)CHC(O)R², R¹ = CF₃, R² = CF₃ – hfac 1, Me – tfac 2; ^tBu – ptac 3, Ph – btfac 4, R¹ = R² = Me – acac 5; ^tBu – thd 6) was synthesized and investigated in terms of usage in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition processes. Compounds 3 and 4 were obtained for the first time. All compounds were investigated by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and mass spectrometry. Crystal structures of 2–4 and 6 were determined by single-crystal XRD. The influence of β-diketonate ligand on the thermal properties of complexes in condensed and gas phase was revealed. The following volatility order was arranged: L = hfac 1 > tfac 2 ≈ ptac 3 > acac 5 > thd 6 > btfac 4. Complexes 1 and 6 vapors demonstrated the lowest and the highest thermostability, respectively.     

The synthesis and thermal,optical and electrical properties of novel aromatic–aliphatic five- and six-membered thermotropic polyimides

Polymers have been prepared by the polycondensation of 4,4′-(butane-1,4-diylbis(oxy)) bis(butane-4,1-diyl) bis(4-aminobenzoate) and 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60-dodecaoxatetrahexacontane-1,64-diyl bis(4-aminobenzoate) (PBBA 1200) with three dianhydrides based on naphthalene, perylene and phthalic moieties, respectively. This has resulted in five novel aliphatic–aromatic polyimides. The polyimides differed in aliphatic chain length and whether the imide ring was five- or six-membered. The chemical structure of the polyimides has been confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. The optical and electrical properties of the polyimides have been studied using current–voltage measurements, and the effect of the polyimide structure on thermal and mesomorphic behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction at different temperatures was employed to confirm the structural properties of the polyimides. All the novel polyimides, with the sole exception of that obtained from PBBA1200 and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, showed liquid crystalline properties. As far as we are aware, this is the first time that six-membered polyimides exhibiting liquid crystalline properties have been reported.     

Toxic metal complexes of macrocyclic cyclen molecule – synthesis,structure and complexing properties

Toxic metal (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Ag⁺) complexes with the tetradentate macrocyclic ligand - cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, [12]aneN₄, L) were prepared and studied in the solid state by IR, X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermal analysis. Diffraction results have yielded three molecular structures, [Cd([12]ane-κ⁴N^1,4,7,10)(NO₃)₂)] (1), [Hg([12]ane-κ⁴N^1,4,7,10)(NO₃-κ²O,O`)]NO₃ (2), [Pb₂([12]ane-κ⁴N^1,4,7,10)₂][Pb(NO₃)₆] (3) and one polymeric structure {[Ag₂([12]ane-κ³N^1,4,7)(μ₂-[12]aneN¹⁰)](NO₃)₂?2H₂O)}_n (4) featuring a unique coordination mode not observed before with cyclen as a ligand. The monodentate (1) and chelate (with small bite angle 50.3(3)°, (2) coordination modes of nitrate ligands were confirmed. Stereochemically active 6s² lone pair was suggested in 3 and DFT results confirmed no significant metal–metal covalent bond. The stability constants of the complexes with Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions were determined by potentiometric methods in aqueous solutions. Additionally, the structures of complexes in solution were observed by ¹H NMR. Both methods confirm similar cyclen complexing properties toward Zn²⁺ biometal and Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ toxic metals.     

Heterometallic copper(Ⅱ) vanadates: synthesis,crystal structures and third-order nonlinear optical properties

Three polymeric heterometallic clusters with 1D, 2D, and 3D frameworks, constructed from a cyclic vanadate {V4O12}4-building block and three geometric constraint ligands, were synthesized by a one-pot self-assembly reaction. Z-scan experiments demonstrated that all the three cluster polymers have large hyperpolarizability γ values. TD-DFT calculations afforded insight into the electronic transitions and spectral characterization of these novel NLO molecular materials.     

Design of new super-high birefringent isothiocyanato bistolanes – synthesis and properties

We report the synthesis of new laterally ethyl-substituted high birefringent phenylethynyltolane liquid crystals with alkylsulphanyl chain and isothiocyanate terminal group. The thermal and optical properties such as birefringence are measured and discussed based on their molecular structures. The compounds exhibit birefringence (Δn) in the range of 0.63–0.75 and are expected to be excellent components of high birefringent nematic mixtures for various applications.     

Modular chiral β-selenium-, sulfur-, and tellurium amides: synthesis and application in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

A series of modular chiral β-chalcogen amides have been efficiently synthesized from inexpensive and easily available 2-oxazolines. All the selenium, sulfur, and tellurium compounds were evaluated as chiral ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation. The corresponding alkylated products were obtained in excellent enantiomeric excess, using BSA/CH₂Cl₂ as the base/solvent system.     

Flexible bis(pyridyl-tetrazole) ligand-induced ring-containing metal–organic coordination polymers: synthesis,structures, and properties

Three coordination polymers (CPs), [Co(3-bptzp)(BDC)] (1), [Zn(3-bptzp)(BDC)] (2), and [Cd(3-bptzp)(BDC)] (3) (3-bptzp = 1,4-bis(5-(3-pyridyl)tetrazolyl)propane, H₂BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The CPs were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy (IR), elemental analyses, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Complexes 1–3 represent the first examples of CPs based on the flexible bis(pyridyl-tetrazole) 3-bptzp. Structure analyses reveal that 1–3 are 1-D ring-containing polymeric chains. For 2 and 3, adjacent 1-D chains are extended to 2-D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonding. Dye adsorption properties of 1–3, electrochemical properties of 1, and fluorescent-sensing behaviors of 2 and 3 have also been investigated.     

Four novel metal–organic frameworks based on 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: Syntheses,structures, and thermal properties

Four novel metal–organic frameworks, [Cu(Tmp)₂(H₂O)] · NO₃ (I) (Tmp = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), [Mn(Tmp)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2NO₃ · H₂O (II), [Pb(Tmp)(CH₃COO)₂] · 3H₂O (III) and [Zn(Tmp)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2NO₃ · 2H₂O (IV), have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 88362–88365 for I–IV, respectively), IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Both I and II complexes are crystallized in monoclinic system with space groups C2/c, P2₁/c, respectively, while III and IV complexes are crystallized in triclinic system with space groups \(P\overline 1 \). Generally, these crystal structures are stabilized by O–H···O hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between the phenanthroline rings of neighboring molecules. Thermogravimetric analyses of compounds I–IV display considerable thermal stability.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of azoimine and α-diimine ligands: synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical properties,crystal structures and DFT calculations

Five octahedral ruthenium(II) complexes with azoimine–quinoline (Azo) and α-diimine (L) ligands having the general formula [Ru^II(L)(Azo)Cl](PF₆) (1–5) {Azo: PhN=NC(COMe)=NC₉H₆N, L = 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dmeb) (1), 4,4′-di-tertbutyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dtb) (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3), 5-chlorophenanthroline (Clphen) (4), or 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (tmphen) (5)} were prepared by stepwise addition of the tridentate azoimine (H₂Azo) and α-diimine (L) pro-ligands to RuCl₃ in refluxing EtOH. The tridentate azoimine–quinoline ligands coordinate to ruthenium via the Azo-N′, N′-imine and N″-quinolone nitrogen atoms. The spectroscopic properties (IR, UV/Vis, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR) and electrochemical behavior of complexes 1–5 and the X-ray crystal structures of complexes 2 and 3 are presented. The coordination of Ru(II) to these strong π-acceptor ligands (Azo and L) results in a large anodic shift for the Ru(III/II) couples of 1.63–1.72 V versus NHE. The electronic spectra in MeCN and IR spectra in CH₂Cl₂ for complex 3 in its oxidized 3 ⁺ and reduced 3 ^? forms were investigated. The calculated absorption spectrum of 3 in MeCN was used to assign the UV–Vis absorption bands.     

pH-Controlled assembly of two POM-based inorganic–organic hybrid copper coordination polymers: synthesis,structures and properties

Transition Metal Chemistry - Two POM-based copper coordination polymers constituted by Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs), [Cu2 (SiW12O40)2 (Fbtx)3 (H2O)4]n (1) and {[Cu2 (SiW12O40) (Fbtx)2...     

Strecker reaction and α-amino nitriles: Recent advances in their chemistry,synthesis, and biological properties

α-Amino nitrile compounds have a profound impact on bio-chemical sciences, as they have been prepared from inexpensive starting materials and have become valuable intermediates in the chemical synthesis of vitally important heterocyclic and carbocyclic molecules, which serve as suitable models in pharmacological and biological research. The α-amino nitrile moiety has been found in the structure of different alkaloids, while the α-amidoacetonitrile group is an essential fragment of new anti-hyperglycemic drugs and promising pharmacological and agrochemical agents. Due to their synthetic, biological and practical importance, this review highlights the recent information about the preparation of α-amino nitriles through the Strecker-type and α-cyanation reactions, their chemical and biological properties, as well as their synthetic application, paying attention on the wonderful capacity for generating novel molecular diversity for pharmacological, biological and agrochemical researches, which ends with the total synthesis of complex alkaloids, preparation of new N-heterocycles and α-aminonitrile-containing drugs. Analyzing modern synthetic protocols for the Strecker-type reactions and cyanation reactions based on cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDD) process, the advantages and disadvantages of new catalysts and green reaction conditions are also discussed. In addition, remarkable biological properties of α-amidoacetonitrile derivatives as potent and selective protease inhibitors as well as promising pesticidal agents were briefly reviewed. The bibliography includes 461 references.     

Palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of diarylacetylenes: synthesis, structures, and physical properties of highly substituted naphthalenes and 8,8 a-dihydrocyclopenta[a]indenes

Depending on the electronic properties of their substituents, the major products generated by palladium‐catalyzed cycloisomerizations of diarylalkynes are either highly substituted 8,8a‐dihydrocyclopenta[a]indenes 3 or naphthalenes 4 . The structures of these compounds were verified by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Many functional groups tolerated the reaction conditions evaluated in this study. The isotope‐labeled experiments indicated that added water has a critical role in forming both classes of compounds. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of cycloadducts 3 and their analogues were systematically studied and compared with computational predictions based on density functional theory. Dihydrocyclopenta[a]indenes 3 in either solid or liquid form display strong luminescence, whereas cyclopenta[a]indene 11 j is practically nonfluorescent. The functional groups directly attached to the backbone of compound 3 significantly influenced physical properties. The steric effect arising from the aryl substituents caused different luminescence phenomena, including aggregation‐induced and ‐enhanced emission.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,luminescence and thermal properties of lanthanide complexes containing 2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid and 2,2:6′,2″-terpyridine

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Three novel ternary lanthanide complexes [Ln(2,5-DClBA)3(terpy)(H2O)] (Ln = Eu (1), Tb (2), Ho (3),...     

Synthesis,structures, thermal behaviour,luminescence and magnetic properties of lanthanide complexes constructed from 2,6-dimethylbenzoic acid and 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine

Six new lanthanide complexes, with the formula [La(2,6-DMBA)₃(5,5′-DM-2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)]₂ (1) and [Ln(2,6-DMBA)₃(5,5′-DM-2,2′-bipy)]₂ (Ln = Tb(2), Dy(3), Ho(4), Pr(5), Nd(6)) (2,6-DMBA = 2,6-dimethylbenzoate, 5,5′-DM-2,2′-bipy = 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) have been successfully synthesized and characterized. These title complexes have three different structural types. The structure of complex 1(type I) contains coordination water molecules, and the coordination number is 8. The coordination numbers of complexes 2–4 and 5–6 are 8 and 9, showing a distorted square antiprism geometry and distorted monocapped square anti-prismatic geometry, respectively. However they have the same general formula and they can be all assembled into the same 1D, 2D supramolecular structures via the C-H···O hydrogen bonding interactions, which is interesting in previous lanthanide complexes. The complexes were analyzed by TG-DSC/FTIR. In addition, the visible light luminescence experiments of Tb (III) complex was carried out, and the characteristic luminescence behavior of strong green color was shown. And the fluorescence lifetime and intrinsic quantum yield were calculated. The magnetic properties of complexes 2–4 were also studied, and the results showed that complex 3 and complexes 2, 4 have ferromagnetic interactions and antiferromagnetic interactions, respectively.     

Quinoxaline-walled π-stacking molecules: synthesis,conformation, and luminescence properties

A series of semi-rigid N-phenylsuccinimides I (11Xy), N-arylmethylsuccinimides II (18Xy), and N,N′-(1,4-arylenebis(methylene))disuccinimides III (19XyX) walled by quinoxaline (QX), dimethylquinoxaline (diMQX), or benzoquinoxaline (BQX) ring were synthesized. Intramolecular π–π interactions in solution were detected by NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy, in terms of reciprocal anisotropic shielding and exciplex formation, respectively. The X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed the preferential conformations in solid state, which were compatible with the results of conformational studies by NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results collectively indicated that 18Xy and 19XyX are driven by intramolecular π–π interactions in the mode of π-stacking (face-to-face) or T-shaped (edge-to-face) configuration to preferentially adopt the folded- and the double folded-conformation, respectively, where the spaced aromatic rings are oriented syn to each other in close proximity.