Very strong C-H...O, N-H...O, and O-H...O hydrogen bonds involving a cyclic phosphate.

Very short C-H...O, N-H...O, and O-H...O hydrogen bonds have been generated utilizing the cyclic phosphate [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(O)OH (1). X-ray structures of (i) 1 (unsolvated, two polymorphs), 1...EtOH, and 1...MeOH, (ii) [imidazolium](+)[CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2PO2](-)...MeOH [2], (iii) [HNC5H4-N=N-C5H4NH](2+)[(CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2PO2)2](2-)...4CH3CN...H2O [3], (v) [K, 18-crown-6](+)[(CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2P(O)OH)(CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2PO2)](-)...2THF [4], (vi) 1...cytosine...MeOH [5], (vii) 1...adenine...1/2MeOH [6], and (viii) 1...S-(-)-proline [7] have been determined. The phosphate 1 in both its forms is a hydrogen-bonded dimer with a short O-H...O distance of 2.481(2) [triclinic form] or 2.507(3) A [monoclinic form]. Compound 2 has a helical structure with a very short C-H...O hydrogen bond involving an imidazolyl C-H and methanol in addition to N-H...O hydrogen bonds. A helical motif is also seen in 5. In 3, an extremely short N-H...O hydrogen bond [N...O 2.558(4) A] is observed. Compounds 6 and 7 also exhibit short N-H...O hydrogen bonds. In 1...EtOH, a 12-membered hydrogen-bonded ring motif, with one of the shortest known O-H...O hydrogen bonds [O...O 2.368(4) A], is present. 1...MeOH is a similar dimer with a very short O(-H)...O bond [2.429(3) A]. In 4, the deprotonated phosphate (anion) and the parent acid are held together by a hydrogen bond on one side and a coordinate/covalent bond to potassium on the other; the O-H...O bond is symmetrical and very strong [O...O 2.397(3) A].     

A series of chiral coordination polymers containing helicals assembled from a new chiral (R)-2-(4'-(4'-carboxybenzyloxy)phenoxy)propanoic acid: syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties

Ten new chiral coordination polymers, namely, [Ni(L)(H(2)O)(2)] (1), [Co(L)(H(2)O)(2)] (2), [Cd(L)(H(2)O)] (3), [Cd(L)(phen)] (4), [Mn(2)(L)(2) (phen)(2)]·H(2)O (5), [Cd(2)(L)(2)(biim-4)(2)] (6), [Zn(2)(L)(2)(biim-4)(2)] (7), [Cd(L)(pbib)] (8), [Cd(L)(bbtz)] (9) and [Cd(L)(biim-6)] (10), where phen = 1,10-phenathroline, biim-4 = 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole), pbib = 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene, bbtz = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, biim-6 = 1,1'-(1,6-hexanedidyl)bis(imidazole), and H(2)L = (R)-2-(4'-(4'-carboxybenzyloxy)phenoxy)propanoic acid, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by infrared spectra (IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), elemental analyses and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit similar 1D left-handed helical chains, which are further extended into 3D supramolecular structures through O-H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions, respectively. Compound 3 shows a 2D double-layer architecture containing helical chains. Compound 4 features two types of 2D undulated sheets with helical chains, which are stacked in an ABAB fashion along the c direction. Compound 5 possesses a 1D double chain ribbon structure containing unusual meso-helical chains, which is linked by π-π interactions into a 2D supramolecular layer. These layers are further extended by hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular assembly. Compounds 6 and 7 are isostructural and exhibit 2D (4(4))-sql networks with helical chains. Neighboring sheets are further linked by C-H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions to generate 3D supramolecular architectures. Compounds 8-10 are isostructural and display 3D 3-fold interpenetrating diamond frameworks with helical chains. The effects of coordination modes of L anions, metal ions and N-donor ligands on the structures of the coordination polymers have been discussed. The luminescent properties of 3, 4 and 6-10 have also been investigated in detail.     

Controlled supramolecular oligomerization of C3-symmetrical molecules in water: the impact of hydrophobic shielding

The supramolecular oligomerization of three water-soluble C(3)-symmetrical discotic molecules is reported. The compounds all possess benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide cores and peripheral Gd(III)-DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) moieties, but differ in their linker units and thus in their propensity to undergo secondary interactions in H(2)O. The self-assembly behavior of these molecules was studied in solution using circular dichroism, UV/Vis spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The aggregation concentration of these molecules depends on the number of secondary interactions and on the solvophobic character of the polymerizing moieties. Hydrophobic shielding of the hydrogen-bonding motif in the core of the discotic is of paramount importance for yielding stable, helical aggregates that are designed to be restricted in size through anti-cooperative, electrostatic, repulsive interactions.     

Conformational effect of 2,6-bis(imidazol-1-yl)pyridine on the self-assembly of 1D coordination chains: spontaneous resolution, supramolecular isomerism, and structural transformation

The achiral 2,6-bis(imidazol-1-yl)pyridine (L) was used as the ditopic organic tecton for the formation of coordination polymers with Zn(II) ions. Hydrothermal reaction between L and ZnX2 (X=Br, Cl) afforded spontaneous resolved double helical motifs in ZnLCl2.0.5H2O (1) and ZnLBr2.0.25H2O (2). In the homochiral crystals of 1a and 2a, the helices are of M-helicity, whereas, in 1b and 2b, they are of P-helicity. In contrast, solvothermal reaction between L and ZnCl2 in dried DMF afforded achiral ZnLCl2 (3a), which exhibits a zigzag polymeric motif. An achiral polymorph 3b which contains 21 helical chains was obtained in wet DMF. The formation of different 1D motifs was related to the conformations of L. All these compounds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. As revealed by thermal gravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction study, the homochiral motif in 1 was stable even upon removal of guest water molecules. Contrastingly, structural transformation from 3a or 3b to 1 is possible upon hydration.     

Hydrogen-bonded extended arrays of the [Re6(mu3-Se)8]2+ core-containing clusters

Site-differentiated solvated clusters of the general formula [Re(6)(mu(3)-Se)(8)(PEt(3))(n)(MeCN)(6)(-)(n)](SbF(6))(2) (n = 4, cis and trans; n = 5) undergo ligand substitution reaction with isonicotinamide to afford the corresponding amide derivatives, [Re(6)(mu(3)-Se)(8)(PEt(3))(n)(isonicotinamide)(6)(-)(n)](2+) [1 (n = 5); 2 (n = 4, trans); 3 (n = 4, cis)]. Retention of stereochemistry in each case was confirmed by (1)H and (31)P NMR. The solid-state structures of all three compounds were established crystallographically, which revealed self-complementary hydrogen-bonding interactions between adjacent cluster units. While complex 1 exists as hydrogen-bonded dimers in the solid state, compounds 2 and 3 form one-dimensional chains of clusters bridged by paired hydrogen bonds. It is the rigid stereochemistry of the cluster, combined with the classic crystal engineering motif of complementary N-H.O amide hydrogen bonding, that affords the predictable solid-state structures and dimensionality.     

Estimation on the intramolecular 10-membered ring N-H...O=C hydrogen-bonding energies in glycine and alanine peptides

Computation of accurate intramolecular hydrogen-bonding energies for peptides is of great importance in understanding the conformational stabilities of peptides and developing a more accurate force field for proteins. We have proposed a method to determine the intramolecular seven-membered ring N-H...O=C hydrogen-bonding energies in glycine and alanine peptides. In this article, the method is further applied to evaluate the intramolecular 10-membered ring N-H...O=C hydrogen-bonding energies in peptides. The optimal structures of the intramolecular 10-membered ring N-H...O=C hydrogen bonds in glycine and alanine tripetide molecules are obtained at the MP2 level with 6-31G(d), 6-31G(d,p), and 6-31+G(d,p) basis sets. The intramolecular 10-membered ring N-H...O=C hydrogen-bonding energies are then evaluated based on our method at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p) level with basis set superposition error correction. The intramolecular 10-membered ring N-H...O=C hydrogen-bonding energies are calculated to be in the range of -6.84 to -7.66, -4.44 to -4.98, and -6.95 to -7.88 kcal/mol. The method is also applied to estimate the individual intermolecular hydrogen-bonding energies in the dimers of amino-acetaldehyde, 2-amino-acetamide, formamide, and oxalamide, each dimer having two identical intermolecular hydrogen bonds. According to our method, the individual intermolecular hydrogen-bonding energies in the four dimers are calculated to be -1.77, -1.67, -6.35, and -4.82 kcal/mol at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level, which are in good agreement with the values of -1.84, -1.72, -6.23, and -4.93 kcal/mol predicted by the supermolecular method.     

Helical supramolecular assembly of N2,N2′‐bis[3‐(morpholin‐4‐yl)propyl]‐N1,N1′‐(1,2‐phenylene)dioxalamide dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate

In the title compound, C₂₄H₃₆N₆O₆·C₂H₆OS, the carbonyl groups are in an antiperiplanar conformation, with O=C—C=O torsion angles of 178.59 (15) and −172.08 (16)°. An intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding pattern is depicted by four N—H...O interactions, which form two adjacent S(5)S(5) motifs, and an N—H...N interaction, which forms an S(6) ring motif. Intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonding and C—H...O soft interactions allow the formation of a meso‐helix. The title compound is the first example of a helical 1,2‐phenylenedioxalamide. The oxalamide traps one molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide through N—H...O hydrogen bonding. C—H...O soft interactions give rise to the two‐dimensional structure.     

Tunable supramolecular synthons and versatile, water-soluble building blocks for crystal engineering:

It is shown that the water-soluble dicarboxylic cationic acid [(eta5-C5H4COOH)2Co(III)]+ (1) is an extremely versatile building block for the construction of organometallic crystalline edifices. Removal of one proton from 1 leads to formation of the neutral zwitterion [(eta5-C5H4COOH)(eta5-C5H4COO)Co(III)] (2), while further deprotonation leads to formation of the dicarboxylate monoanion [(eta5-C5H4COO)2Co(III)]- (3). Compounds 1. 2 and 3 possess different hydrogen-bonding capacity and participate in a variety of hydrogen-bonding networks. The cationic form 1 has been characterised as its [PF6]- and Cl- salts 1-[PF6] and 1-Cl.H2O, as well as in its co-crystal with urea, 1-Cl.3(NH2)2CO, and with the zwitterionic form 2, [(eta5-CH4COOH)(eta5-C5H4COO)Co(III)][(eta5-C5H4COOH)2Co(III)]+[PF6]-, 2.1-[PF6]. The neutral zwitterion 2 behaves as a supramolecular crown ether: it encapsulates the alkali cations K+, Rb+ and Cs+ as well as the ammonium cation NH4+ in cages sustained by O-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds to form co-crystalline salts of the type 2(2)-M[PF6] (M = K, Rb, Cs) and 2(2)-[NH4][PF6]. The deprotonated acid 3 has been characterised as its Cs+ salt, Cs+-3.3H2O.     

Three-dimensional mesomeric networks assembled from helix-linked sheets: syntheses, structures, and magnetisms

Two new three-dimensional nickel coordination polymers, [Ni3(BTC)2(4,4'-bpy)2(H2O)5].1.5H2O (1) and [Ni(PDB)(4,4'-bpy)].0.5H2O (2)(4,4'-bpy = bipyridine, BTC = 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate, PDB = pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylate), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TGA, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds contain 2D scaffolding motifs, and most interestingly adjacent scaffolds are connected by infinite helical chains into unique three-dimensional mesomeric networks. Moreover, temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities for the two compounds were studied, and ferromagnetic interactions through syn-anti carboxylate bridges between Ni sites have been observed.     

A bridge between pillared-layer and helical structures: a series of three-dimensional pillared coordination polymers with multiform helical chains

Rational self-assembly of a long V-shaped 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylate (bptc) ligand and metal salts in the presence of linear bidentate ligand yield a series of novel pillared helical-layer complexes, namely, [Cu2(bptc)(bpy)2] (1), [M3(Hbptc)2(bpy)3(H2O)4].2 H2O (M = Fe(2) and Ni(3)), [Co2(bptc)(bpy)(H2O)].0.5 bpy (4), [Cd2(bptc)(bpy)(H2O)2].H2O (5), [Mn2(bptc)(bpy)1.5(H2O)3] (6) and [M2(bptc)(bpy)0.5(H2O)5].0.5 bpy (M = Mn(7), Mg(8) and Co(9), bpy=4,4'-bipyridine). Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The structure of 1 consists of two types of chiral layers, one left-handed and the other right-handed, which are connected by bpy pillars to generate a novel 3D open framework featuring four distinct helical chains. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural and feature 3D structures formed from the interconnection of arm-shaped helical layers with bpy pillars. Compound 4 is a pillared helical double-layer complex containing four different types of helices, among which the nine-fold interwoven helices constructed from triple-stranded helical motifs are unprecedented. Compound 5 exhibits a novel 3D covalent framework which features nanosized tubular channels. These channels are built from helical layers pillared by bptc ligands. The structure of 6 is constructed from {Mn(bptc)(H2O)}n2n- layers, which consist of left- and right-handed helical chains, pillared by [Mn2(bpy)3(H2O)4]4+ complexes into a 3D framework. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 1-6 are the first examples of pillared helical-layer coordination polymers. Compounds 7-9 are isostructural and exhibit interesting 2D helical double-layer structures, which are constructed from {M(bptc)(H2O)2}n2n- ribbons cross-linked by [M2(bpy)(H2O)6]4+ complexes. Furthermore, the 3D supramolecular structures of 7-9 are similar to the 3D structure of 6, and the 2D structure of 7 can be transformed into the 3D structure of 6 at higher reaction temperature. By inspection of the structures of 1-9, it is believed that the V-shaped bptc ligand and V-shaped phthalic group of the bptc ligand are important for the formation of the helical structures. The magnetic behavior of compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 was studied and indicated the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions. Moreover, compound 5 shows intense photoluminescence at room temperature.     

Heterodimetallic germanium(IV) complex structures with transition metals

The hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of a number of complex compounds containing the divalent tris(oxalato-O,O')germanate anion, [Ge(C2O4)3]2-, or the neutral bis(oxalate-O,O')germanium fragment, [Ge(C2O4)2], with transition-metal (M) cationic complexes of 1,10'-phenanthroline (phen) is reported: [M(phen)3][Ge(C2O4)3].xH2O [where M2+ = Cu2+ (1a and 1b), Fe2+ (2a and 2b), Ni2+ (3), Co2+ (4); x = 0.2 for 2b], [MGe(phen)2(mu2-OH)2(C2O4)2] [where M2+ = Cd2+ (5) and Cu2+ (6)]. The isolation of two polymorphs with Cu2+ (1a and 1b) and other pseudo-polymorphs for Fe2+ (2a and 2b) was rationalized based on slightly different molar ratios for the starting materials. All compounds have been characterized using EDS, SEM, vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR and FT-Raman), thermogravimetry, and CHN elemental composition and their structure determined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal packing of the different chemical moieties for each series of compounds was discussed on the basis of the various intermolecular interactions present (strong C-H...pi and weak C-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, C-H...pi and pi-pi contacts).     

From 1D strands to extended molecular assemblies in the binary compounds of dithiooxamide and dithiobiurea with crown ethers

The hydrogen-bonding networks for seven new binary compounds of dithiooxamide, (NH2CS)2 (dtox) and dithiobiurea (NH2CSNH)2 (dtur) with crown ethers, 18-crown-6 (18C6), 15-crown-5 (15C5), 12-crown-4 (12C4), cis-syn-cis-(DCHA), and cis-anti-cis-(DCHB) isomers of dicyclohexyl-18 -crown-6 are discussed. (15C5.dtox), (18C6.dtur) and (DCHB.dtur) afford one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymeric arrays where the components alternate. In (DCHA.2dtox) and (DCHB.2dtox) the similar hydrogen-bonded chains are further interlinked via dtox molecules to generate layered motifs. In (15C5.2dtur) the dtur molecules are self-assembled into layers via N-H...S hydrogen bonds. 15C5 spacers link adjacent layers into a three-dimensional network. In (12C4.dtur) the dtur molecules are arranged in chains. These chains alternate with the crown molecules attached to them through N-H...O hydrogen bonds in such a way that each 12C4 appears to be linked with four dtur molecules and vice versa thus providing a three-dimensional grid.     

Design and synthesis of a C2-symmetric self-complementary hydrogen-bonding cleft molecule based on the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and 4-oxo-5-azaindole framework. formation of channels and inclusion complexes in the solid state

The synthesis of a C2-symmetric cleft molecule 2 based on the fused framework between bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and 4-oxo-5-azaindole, incorporating a self-complementary hydrogen-bonding motif, in both racemic and enantiomerically pure forms is reported. This cleft molecule is reminiscent of analogues of Tr?ger's base though with different cleft dimensions and tilt angles. The framework of 2 provides a building block for the construction of self-assembled hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structures. The solid-state structure of 2 is highly influenced by the limited solubility of (+/-)-2 and (-)-2. The solvents interact with the potential hydrogen-bonding motifs of (+/-)-2 and (-)-2, forming different three-dimensional structures as revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. In the solid state (+/-)-(2)2 x 5DMF forms hydrogen-bonded pleated band structures that build up three-dimensional pens between adjacent bands in which two molecules of DMF are trapped. In contrast, the aggregate obtained from (-)-2, (-)-2 x 2AcOH, showed infinite bands of complex constitution.     

Calix

Chiral calix[4]arene derivatives with four O-(N-acetyl-PhgOMe), (1), (Phg denotes R-phenylglycine), or O-(N-acetyl-LeuOMe) (2) strands have been synthesised. Both compounds exist in chloroform in stable cone conformations with a noncovalently organised cavity at the lower rim that is formed by circular interstrand amidic hydrogen bonds. Such organisation affects both the selectivity and extraction/transport properties of 1 and 2 toward metal cations. Calix[4]arene derivatives with one OCH2COPhgOMe strand (3), two OCH2COPhgOMe strands (5) and with 1,3-OMe-2,4-(O-CH2COPhgOMe) substituents (4) at the lower rim have also been prepared. For 3, a conformation stabilised by a circular hydrogen-bond arrangement is found in chloroform, while 4 exists as a time-averaged C2 conformation with two intramolecular NH ...OCH3 hydrogen bonds. Compound 5 has a unique hydrogen-bonding motif in solution and in the solid state with two three-centred NH-.. O and two OH...O hydrogen bonds at the lower rim. This motif keeps 5 in the flattened cone conformation in chloroform. The X-ray structure analysis of 1 revealed a molecular structure with C2 symmetry; this structure is organised in infinite chains by intra- and intermolecular H bonds. The solid-state and solution structures of the [1-Na]ClO4 complex are identical, C4 symmetric cone conformations.     

Metal-complex assemblies constructed from the flexible hinge-like ligand H2bhnq: structural versatility and dynamic behavior in the solid state

Novel metal-complex assemblies constructed from the flexible hinge-like ligand H(2)bhnq (H(2)bhnq=2,2'-bi(3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)) have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of these compounds reveal that four types of architectures are accessible by variation of the metal ions. In copper(II) compounds 1-3, the chelating bhnq(2-) ions bridge copper(II) centers to form one-dimensional zigzag chains. The chains of 1-3 are arranged by hydrogen-bonding interactions and stacking interactions to produce porous structures. Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) compounds 4 and 5 form one-dimensional helical chains. In 4 and 5, the crystal packing induces spontaneous resolution of the helical chains with chiral cavities formed perpendicular to the helices. Nickel(II) compounds 6 and 7 form cyclic tetramers. The fourth architecture, a dimer (compound 8), is obtained by the reaction of zinc(II) and bhnq(2-) in MeOH. In these compounds, changes of the dihedral angles and the metal-coordination mode of the bhnq(2-) ion induce the structural versatility. The assemblies of the zigzag chains of the copper(II) compounds exhibit reversible vapochromic behavior. UV/Vis, powder X-ray diffraction, EPR, and adsorption isotherm measurements indicate that this vapochromic behavior is based on the hinge-like flexibility of the bhnq(2-) ion.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and photochromism of novel two-dimensional supramolecular networks based on Keggin-type polyoxoanion and lanthanide coordination cations

Three new compounds [Ln(NMP)(4)(H(2)O)(4)][H(x)()GeMo(12)O(40)].2NMP.3H(2)O (Ln = Ce(IV) (1), Pr(IV) (2), x = 0; Ln = Nd(III) (3), x = 1; NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) have been prepared in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-vis, and TG analyses. The single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that all three compounds are isostructural. In their structures, an interesting two-dimensional supramolecular network is constructed by the [GeMo(12)O(40)](4)(-) anion and [Ln(NMP)(4)(H(2)O)(4)](3+/4+) cation building blocks via hydrogen-bonding interactions, exhibiting the porous structure. Upon irradiation with UV light, the crystals of 1-3 show photochromic behavior.     

Supramolecular complexation of alkali cations through mechanochemical reactions between crystalline solids

The organometallic zwitterion [Co(III)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COOH)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COO)] reacts quantitatively as a solid polycrystalline phase with a number of crystalline alkali salts MX (M = K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), NH(4) (+); X = Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), PF(6)(-), although not in all cation/anion permutations) to afford supramolecular complexes of the formula [Co(III)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COOH)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)COO)](2).M(+)X(-). In some cases, the mechanochemical complexation requires kneading of the two solids with a catalytic amount of water. The characterization of the solid-state products has been achieved by a combination of X-ray single-crystal and powder-diffraction experiments. The hydrogen-bonding interactions have been investigated by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The mechanochemical reactions imply a profound solid-state rearrangement accompanied by breaking and forming of O-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions between the organometallic molecules. All compounds could also be obtained by solution crystallization of the inorganic salts in the presence of the organometallic unit. The solid-state complexation of alkali cations by the organometallic zwitterion has been described as a special kind of solvation process taking place in the solid state.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Properties of Five Coordination Polymers Involving Phthalic Acid

Five new coordination polymers Cu(phen)(H2O)(phth)·CH3OH(1), [Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)](phth)·3.5H2O(2), Zn(phen)(phth)(H2O)·1.125H2O(3) and [M(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)2](phth)·2H2O[M=Zn(4), Mn(5)](H2phth=phthalic acid, bipy=bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized from the amino acid derivatives(phthalyl-l- valine, H2L) and structurally characterized. H2L was hydrolyzed into phth2– group during the reaction, but the strucure feature was different from that of the complex directly synthesized from H2phth in the reported literature, revealing that H2L played an important role in composing the novel compounds. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 are all 1D chains, but the differences are that compound 1 is further hydrogen-bonded into 2D networks, and compound 2 is further extended into 3D supramolecular network through π-π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions. However, compound 3 is a 1D helix chain structure and further links into 2D networks through π-π stacking. Compounds 4 and 5 are isostructural and exhibit the same 2D layers, which are further connected by hydrogen-bonding interactions to form 3D supramolecular network. Antiferromagnetic superexchange was observed for compounds 1, 2 and 5.     

Self-assembly of amylin(20-29) amide-bond derivatives into helical ribbons and peptide nanotubes rather than fibrils

Uncontrolled aggregation of proteins or polypeptides can be detrimental for normal cellular processes in healthy organisms. Proteins or polypeptides that form these amyloid deposits differ in their primary sequence but share a common structural motif: the (anti)parallel beta sheet. A well-accepted approach for interfering with beta-sheet formation is the design of soluble beta-sheet peptides to disrupt the hydrogen-bonding network; this ultimately leads to the disassembly of the aggregates or fibrils. Here, we describe the synthesis, spectroscopic analysis, and aggregation behavior, imaged by electron microscopy, of several backbone-modified amylin(20-29) derivatives. It was found that these amylin derivatives were not able to form fibrils and to some extent were able to inhibit fibril growth of native amylin(20-29). However, two of the amylin peptides were able to form large supramolecular assemblies, like helical ribbons and peptide nanotubes, in which beta-sheet formation was clearly absent. This was quite unexpected since these peptides have been designed as soluble beta-sheet breakers for disrupting the characteristic hydrogen-bonding network of (anti)parallel beta sheets. The increased hydrophobicity and the presence of essential amino acid side chains in the newly designed amylin(20-29) derivatives were found to be the driving force for self-assembly into helical ribbons and peptide nanotubes. This example of controlled and desired peptide aggregation may be a strong impetus for research on bionanomaterials in which special shapes and assemblies are the focus of interest.     

Rebek imides and their adenine complexes: preferences for Hoogsteen binding in the solid state and in solution

Rebek imides (3), formed from Kemp's triacid, were developed in the mid-1980's as model receptors for adenine derivatives. We report here the first account of their hydrogen-bonding preferences upon binding 9-ethyladenine (1a) in the solid state. Structural analysis begins with simple imides 3a-e that form discrete dimers, while bis-imide 4 forms ribbon-like structures in the crystalline phase. The hydrogen-bonding interface within each of the representative assemblies features short intermolecular N(3)imide...O(8*)imide* distances (ca. 2.95 A), indicative of two-point hydrogen bonding. Imides 3f-h could be co-crystallized with 1a; single-crystal X-ray analysis of the resulting complexes reveals hydrogen-bonding geometries nearly identical to those observed in nucleobase complexes of adenine and pyrimidine derivatives. Imides 3f and 3g form 2:1 ternary assemblies with 1a; the complex of the former, (3f)2 x 1a, displays both Watson-Crick- and Hoogsteen-type hydrogen bonding, whereas the complex of the latter, (3g)2 x 1a, shows the Hoogsteen motif and imide hydrogen bonding to N(3) of the purine base (N(3)adenine...N(3')imide = 3.07(1) A). Imide 3h forms a 1:1 complex with 1a (3h x 1a x CHCl3) and displays Hoogsteen binding exclusively. All of the 3 x 1a assemblies show C(adenine)...O(imide) distances (3.38-3.75 A) that are consistent with C-H...O hydrogen bonding. Base-pairing preferences for the Rebek imides are further explored in solution by 1H NMR one-dimensional NOE experiments and by computational means; in all cases the Hoogsteen motif is modestly favored relative to its Watson-Crick counterpart.