Surprisingly Different Reaction Behavior of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Bis(trimethylsilyl)amides toward Bulky N‐(2‐Pyridylethyl)‐N′‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)pivalamidine

N‐(2,6‐Diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐(2‐pyridylethyl)pivalamidine (Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)‐C₂H₄‐Py) ( 1 ), reacts with metalation reagents of lithium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium to give the corresponding pivalamidinates [(tmeda)Li{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}] ( 6 ), [Mg{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}₂] ( 3 ), and heteroleptic [{(Me₃Si)₂N}Ae{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}], with Ae being Ca ( 2 a ) and Sr ( 2 b ). In contrast to this straightforward deprotonation of the amidine units, the reaction of 1 with the bis(trimethylsilyl)amides of sodium or potassium unexpectedly leads to a β‐metalation and an immediate deamidation reaction yielding [(thf)₂Na{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}] ( 4 a ) or [(thf)₂K{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}] ( 4 b ), respectively, as well as 2‐vinylpyridine in both cases. The lithium derivative shows a similar reaction behavior to the alkaline earth metal congeners, underlining the diagonal relationship in the periodic table. Protonation of 4 a or the metathesis reaction of 4 b with CaI₂ in tetrahydrofuran yields N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)pivalamidine (Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐NH₂) ( 5 ), or [(thf)₄Ca{Dipp‐N=C(tBu)‐N(H)}₂] ( 7 ), respectively. The reaction of AN(SiMe₃)₂ (A=Na, K) with less bulky formamidine Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N(H)‐C₂H₄‐Py ( 8 ) leads to deprotonation of the amidine functionality, and [(thf)Na{Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}]₂ ( 9 a ) or [(thf)K{Dipp‐N=C(H)‐N‐C₂H₄‐Py}]₂ ( 9 b ), respectively, are isolated as dinuclear complexes. From these experiments it is obvious, that β‐metalation/deamidation of N‐(2‐pyridylethyl)amidines requires bases with soft metal ions and also steric pressure. The isomeric forms of all compounds are verified by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis and are maintained in solution.     

Multiple intramolecular hydrogen bonds in 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐[N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐P,P‐diphenylphosphorimidoyl]phenol

The title compound, C₃₈H₄₈NOP, isolated from the reaction of (2‐diphenylphosphanyl‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butyl)phenol with 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl azide at 273 K, can act as an N,O‐bidentate ligand. Crystal structure analysis shows a deviation from ideal tetrahedral symmetry around the P atom. The molecule exists as a monomer in the solid state, whose conformation is stabilized via multiple intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Geometric parameters from both experimental and theoretical calculations are compared.     

(Acetonitrile‐κN){2‐[bis­(2‐pyridylethyl)­amino]ethanol‐κ4N,N′,N′′,O}zinc(II) bis­(perchlorate) monohydrate

In the title compound, [Zn(C₂H₃N)(C₁₆H₂₁N₃O)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O, the Zn^II ion is coordinated by two pyridyl N atoms, one amine N atom, and an ethanol O atom from the N,N′,N′′,O‐tetra­dentate 2‐[bis­(2‐pyridylethyl)amino]­ethanol donor ligand. The fifth coordination site is filled by an acetonitrile N atom, and there is one solvent water mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. The 2+ charge of the cationic portion of the complex is balanced by two perchlorate counter‐anions.     

[N,N′‐Bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthene‐1,2‐diimine‐1κ2N,N′]heptacarbonyl‐1κC,2κ3C,3κ3C‐di‐μ3‐tellurido‐triiiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe)

The sterically hindered title complex, [Fe₃Te₂(C₃₆H₄₀N₂)(CO)₇], was obtained by substitution of two carbonyl groups in the [Fe₃(μ₃‐Te)₂(CO)₉] cluster by the bulky redox‐active N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthene‐1,2‐diimine (dpp‐BIAN) ligand. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules of the same geometry. The C=N bond lengths in dpp‐BIAN indicate a rather low level of electron transfer from the cluster core to the dpp‐BIAN ligand.     

The Features of Interaction of Bis(4, 6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐o‐amidophenolato)tin(IV) with Bromine and Iodine

The oxidation of tin(IV) bis‐amidophenolate (APiPr)₂Sn · THF ( I ) by bromine and iodine leads to the formation of monoradical mixed‐ligand complexes (APiPr)(ISQiPr)SnBr · THF ( II ) and (APiPr)(ISQiPr)SnI · THF ( III ) or diradical complexes (ISQiPr)₂SnBr₂ ( IV ) and (ISQiPr)₂SnI₂ ( V ), respectively [APiPr = dianion 4, 6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐o‐amidophenolate; ISQiPr = radical‐anion 4, 6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(2, 6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐o‐iminobenzosemiquinone], depending on the molar ratio of reagents (2:1 or 1:1). According to EPR data for compounds II and III , the unpaired electron is delocalized between both organic ligands. The EPR spectrum of IV in toluene matrix at 130 K is typical for diradical species with S = 1 with parameters D = 530 G, E = 105 G. The mixed‐ligand complexes II and III are unstable and undergo to symmetrization leading to formation of IV or V . The molecular structures of IV and V are determined by X‐ray analysis.     

Synthesis of three new 1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl) pyrrole‐based donor polymers and their bulk heterojunction solar cell applications

A series of three new 1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole‐based polymers such as poly[1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole] ( PTPT ), poly[1,4‐(2,5‐bis(octyloxy)phenylene)‐alt‐5,5'‐(1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole)] ( PPTPT ), and poly[2,5‐(3‐octylthiophene)‐alt‐5,5'‐(1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole)] ( PTTPT ) were synthesized and characterized. The new polymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents and the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the three polymers are thermally stable with the 5% degradation temperature >379 °C. The absorption maxima of the polymers were 478, 483, and 485 nm in thin film and the optical band gaps calculated from the onset wavelength of the optical absorption were 2.15, 2.20, and 2.13 eV, respectively. Each of the polymers was investigated as an electron donor blending with PC₇₀BM as an electron acceptor in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. BHJ solar cells were fabricated in ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:PC₇₀BM/TiO_x/Al configurations. The BHJ solar cell with PPTPT :PC₇₀BM (1:5 wt %) showed the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.35% (J_sc = 7.41 mA/cm², V_oc = 0.56 V, FF = 33%), measured using AM 1.5G solar simulator at 100 mW/cm² light illumination. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Syntheses,Crystal Structure and Reactivity of Tin(II) Bis[N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide]

Metallation of N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with n‐butyllithium in toluene yields lithium N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 1 ), which crystallizes as a tetramer. Transamination of N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with an equimolar amount of Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ leads to the formation of monomeric bis(trimethylsilyl)amido tin(II) N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 2 ). The addition of another equivalent of N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine gives homoleptic tin(II) bis[N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide] ( 3 ). In these complexes the N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amido groups act as bidentate bases through the nitrogen bases. At elevated temperatures HN(SiMe₃)₂ is liberated from bis(trimethylsilyl)amido tin(II) N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 2 ) yielding mononuclear tin(II) 1,2‐dipyridyl‐1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphanylamido)ethane ( 4 ) through a C–C coupling reaction. The three‐coordinate tin(II) atoms of 2 and 4 adopt trigonal pyramidal coordination spheres.     

Bis[μ3‐cis‐N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)oxamidato(3–)]bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)dichloridotetracopper(II) dihydrate

The title complex, bis[μ₃‐cis‐N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)oxamidato(3−)]‐1:2:4κ⁷N,N′,N′′,O:O′,O′′:O′′′;2:3:4κ⁷O′′′:N,N′,N′′,O:O′,O′′‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)‐2κ²N,N′;4κ²N,N′‐dichlorido‐1κCl,3κCl‐tetracopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu₄(C₁₂H₁₂N₃O₄)₂Cl₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]·2H₂O, consists of a neutral cyclic tetracopper(II) system having an embedded centre of inversion and two solvent water molecules. The coordination of each Cu^II atom is square‐pyramidal. The separations of Cu^II atoms bridged by cis‐N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)oxamidate(3−) and carboxyl groups are 5.2096 (4) and 5.1961 (5) Å, respectively. A three‐dimensional supramolecular structure involving hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking is observed.     

The first example of a two‐coordinated AuI atom bonded to an FeII atom and an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand

The aurophilicity exhibited by Au^I complexes depends strongly on the nature of the supporting ligands present and the length of the Au–element (Au—E) bond may be used as a measure of the donor–acceptor properties of the coordinated ligands. A binuclear iron–gold complex, [1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene‐2κC²]dicarbonyl‐1κ²C‐(1η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)gold(I)iron(II)(Au—Fe) benzene trisolvate, [AuFe(C₅H₅)(C₂₇H₃₆N₂)(CO)₂]·3C₆H₆, was prepared by reaction of K[CpFe(CO)₂] (Cp is cyclopentadienyl) with (NHC)AuCl [NHC = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene]. In addition to the binuclear complex, the asymmetric unit contains three benzene solvent molecules. This is the first example of a two‐coordinated Au atom bonded to an Fe and a C atom of an N‐heterocyclic carbene.     

Synthesis,one‐ and two‐photon properties of poly[9,10‐bis(3,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl‐oxy)phenyl)‐2,6‐anthracenevinylene‐alt‐N‐octyl‐3,6‐/2,7‐carbazolevinylene]

The synthesis, one‐ and two‐photon absorption (TPA) and emission properties of two novel 2,6‐anthracenevinylene‐based copolymers, poly[9,10‐bis(3,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)‐2,6‐anthracenevinylene‐alt‐N‐octyl‐3,6‐carbazolevinyl‐ene] ( P1 ) and poly[9,10‐bis(3,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)‐2,6‐anthracenevinyl‐ene‐alt‐N‐octyl‐2,7‐carbazolevinylene] ( P2 ) were reported. The as‐synthesized polymers have the number‐average molecular weights of 1.56 × 10⁴ for P1 and 1.85 × 10⁴ g mol^?1 for P2 and are readily soluble in common organic solvents. They emit strong bluish‐green one‐ and two‐photon excitation fluorescence in dilute toluene solution (? _P1 = 0.85, ? _P2 = 0.78, λ_em( P1 ) = 491 nm, λ_em( P2 ) = 483 nm). The maximal TPA cross‐sections of P1 and P2 measured by the two‐photon‐induced fluorescence method using femtosecond laser pulses in toluene are 840 and 490 GM per repeating unit, respectively, which are obviously larger than that (210 GM) of poly[9,10‐bis‐(3,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy) phenyl)‐2,6‐anthracenevinylene], indicating that the poly(2,6‐anthracenevinylene) derivatives with large TPA cross‐sections can be obtained by inserting electron‐donating moieties into the polymer backbone. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 463–470, 2010     

Solvent dependence of the solid‐state structures of salicylaldiminate magnesium amide complexes

There are challenges in using magnesium coordination complexes as reagents owing to their tendency to adopt varying aggregation states in solution and thus impacting the reactivity of the complexes. Many magnesium complexes are prone to ligand redistribution via Schlenk equilibrium due to the ionic character within the metal–ligand interactions. The role of the supporting ligand is often crucial for providing stability to the heteroleptic complex. Strategies to minimize ligand redistribution in alkaline earth metal complexes could include using a supporting ligand with tunable sterics and electronics to influence the degree of association to the metal atom. Magnesium bis(hexamethyldisilazide) was reacted with salicylaldimines [¹L = N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)salicylaldimine and ²L = 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)salicylaldimine] in either nondonor (toluene) or donor solvents [tetrahydrofuran (THF) or pyridine]. The structures of the magnesium complexes were studied in the solid state via X‐ray diffraction. In the nondonor solvent, i.e. toluene, the heteroleptic complex bis{μ‐2‐[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenolato}‐κ³N,O:O;κ³O:N,O‐bis[(hexamethyldisilazido‐κN)magnesium(II)], [Mg₂(C₁₉H₂₂NO)₂(C₆H₁₈NSi₂)₂] or [¹LMgN(SiMe₃)₂]₂, (1), was favored, while in the donor solvent, i.e. pyridine (pyr), the formation of the homoleptic complex {2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)iminomethyl]phenolato‐κ²N,O}bis(pyridine‐κN)magnesium(II) toluene monosolvate, [Mg(C₂₇H₃₈NO)₂(C₅H₅N)₂]·C₅H₅N or [{²L₂Mg₂(pyr)₂}·pyr], (2), predominated. Heteroleptic complex (1) was crystallized from toluene, while homoleptic complexes (2) and the previously reported [¹L₂Mg·THF] [Quinque et al. (2011). Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. pp. 3321–3326] were crystallized from pyridine and THF, respectively. These studies support solvent‐dependent ligand redistribution in solution. In‐situ¹H NMR experiments were carried out to further probe the solution behavior of these systems.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalysed Direct Synthesis of Cyano Esters via Cyanation‐Esterification Reaction of α‐Keto Esters

The cyanation‐esterification reaction of α‐keto esters catalysed by N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) is developed. Under the catalysis of 10 mol% 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene, aromatic and aliphatic α‐keto esters reacted with ethyl cyanoformate or acetyl cyanide to produce the corresponding cyano esters with a tetrasubstituted carbon center in high yields.     

N‐(4‐Methyl­phenyl)‐N‐(5‐nitro­furfuryl)‐N‐prop‐2‐ynyl­amine

The title compound, C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₃, is the first example of a structurally determined tertiary amine with both N‐5‐nitro­furfuryl and N‐prop‐2‐ynyl moieties. The mol­ecule is not planar, i.e. the furan ring is inclined at an angle of 84.35 (4)° to the phenyl ring. The crystal structure is dominated by van der Waals forces. The terminal alkynyl group as the strongest C—H hydrogen‐bond donor is not involved in hydrogen‐bond formation.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Sodium and Calcium ­Complexes with the Ligand N‐(2,6‐Dimethylphenyl)diphenylphosphinic Amide

The sodium complex [{Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)}Na{Ph₂P(O)N(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)}]₂ ( 2 ) with the ligand N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)diphenylphosphinic amide was synthesized involving the reaction of the neutral ligand [Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)] ( 1 ) and sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in toluene at 60 °C. The calcium complex [{Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)CaI(THF)₃}I] ( 3 ) was obtained by the reaction between the neutral ligand 1 and anhydrous calcium diiodide in THF at ambient temperature. The solid‐state structures of the complexes were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In the solid‐state structure of 2 , the sodium ion is coordinated through the chelation of oxygen atom attached to the phosphorus atom. Two different P–N and P–O bond lengths are observed, which indicates that one ligand moiety is anionic, whereas the second one is neutral. In the solid‐state structure of 3 , the calcium atom adopts distorted octahedral arrangement through the ligation of two phosphinic amide ligands, three THF molecules, and one iodide ion.     

Two ZnII mononuclear coordination compounds with pyridinedicarboxylate and auxiliary N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine ligands

Two new mononuclear coordination compounds, bis{4‐[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium} diaquabis(pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,O²)zincate(II), (C₆H₇N₂O)₂[Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(H₂O)₂], (1), and (pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)bis[N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene‐κN)hydroxylamine]zinc(II), [Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₆H₆N₂O)₂], (2), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The centrosymmetric Zn^II cation in (1) is octahedrally coordinated by two chelating pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate ligands and by two water molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. In (2), the Zn^II cation is coordinated by a tridentate pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion and by two N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine molecules in a distorted C₂‐symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry.     

Two new polymorphs of 4‐(N,N‐dimethyl­amino)­benzoic acid

Two new polymorphs of 4‐(N,N‐dimethyl­amino)­benzoic acid, C₉H₁₁NO₂, resulting from the attempted cocrystallization in ethanol of 4‐(N,N‐dimethyl­amino)­benzoic acid and a mixture of 3‐(N,N‐dimethyl­amino)­benzoic acid and 3‐(3‐pyrid­yl)‐2‐pyridone producing one polymorph, and a mixture of 3‐(N,N‐dimethyl­amino)­benzoic acid and 5‐meth­oxy‐3,3′‐bipyridine producing the second polymorph, have been crystallographically characterized. The primary inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate a dimeric acid–acid motif that is present in all three polymorphs.     

N‐Heterocyclic carbene/phosphite synergistically assisted Pd/C‐catalyzed Suzuki coupling of aryl chlorides

An N‐heterocyclic carbene and phosphite synergistically enhanced Pd/C catalyst system has been developed for Suzuki coupling of aryl chlorides and aryl boronic acids from commercially available Pd/C with sterically demanding N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidene and trimethylphosphite. A remarkable increase in catalytic activity of Pd/C was observed when used along with 1 equiv. N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolium chloride and 2 equiv. phosphite with respect to palladium in appropriate solvents that were found to play a crucial role in Pd/C‐NHC‐P(OR)₃‐catalyzed Suzuki coupling. A dramatic ortho‐substitution effect of carbonyl and nitrile groups in aryl chlorides was observed and explained by a modified quasi‐heterogeneous catalysis mechanism. The Pd/C catalyst could be easily recovered from reaction mixtures by simple filtration and only low palladium contamination was detected in the biparyl products. A practical process for the synthesis of 4‐biphenylcarbonitrile has therefore been developed using the N‐heterocyclic carbene/phosphite‐assisted Pd/C‐catalyzed Suzuki coupling. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2‐[N‐(2,3‐Dimethylphenyl)carbamoyl]benzenesulfonamide and the 3,4‐ and 2,6‐dimethylphenyl analogues

The structures of 2‐[(2,3‐dimethylphenyl)carbamoyl]benzenesulfonamide, 2‐[(3,4‐dimethylphenyl)carbamoyl]benzenesulfonamide and 2‐[(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)carbamoyl]benzenesulfonamide, all C₁₅H₁₆N₂O₃S, are stabilized by extensive intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In all three structures, the sulfonamide and carbamoyl groups are involved in hydrogen bonding. In the 2,3‐dimethyl and 2,6‐dimethyl derivatives, dimeric units and chains of molecules are formed parallel to the c axis. In the 3,4‐dimethyl derivative, the hydrogen bonding creates tetrameric units, resulting in macrocyclic R₄⁴(22) rings that form sheets in the ab plane. The three analogues are closely related to the fenamate class of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.     

Synthesis and Structures of β‐Diketoiminate Complexes of Magnesium

The reaction of the β‐diketoiminate lithium complex (dipp)NacNacLi · OEt₂ ((dipp)NacNac = 2‐((2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)amino)‐4‐((2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imino)‐pent‐2‐enyl) with iPrMgCl and MgI₂ yield the corresponding (dipp)NacNacMgiPr · OEt₂ ( 1 ) and (dipp)NacNacMgI · OEt₂ ( 2 ). The reaction of 2 with NaBH₄ in diethylether gives (dipp)NacNacMg(μ‐H)₃BH · OEt₂ ( 3 ). The core element of compounds 1 – 3 is a six‐membered ring formed by N(1)–C(1)–C(2)–C(3)–N(2) and magnesium. The structures of 1 and 2 show the β‐diketoiminate backbone in a boat‐conformation with the tetrahedrally coordinated metal center at the prow and the opposing carbon atom at the stern. The magnesium atom in 3 is octahedrally coordinated and out of the β‐diketoiminate plane.     

Unusual Rate Acceleration in Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Dehydration Reactions: Local Hydrophobic Environment in Aggregated N‐(2,6‐diphenylphenyl)‐N‐mesitylammonium Pentafluorobenzenesulfonates

Bulky diarylammonium pentafluorobenzenesulfonates effectively promote dehydration reactions, such as condensation reactions to give esters and the dehydrative cyclization of 1,3,5‐triketones. In particular, N‐(2,6‐diphenylphenyl)‐N‐mesitylammonium pentafluorobenzenesulfonate shows much higher catalytic activity than C₆F₅SO₃H under reaction conditions without the removal of generated water, even though the former is a weaker acid. Its crystallization gives an aggregated cyclic ion pair, which is composed of two diarylammonium cations, four pentafluorobenzenesulfonate anions, and two oxonium cations. This ion pair is strongly stabilized by four intermolecular and two intramolecular π–π attractive interactions and 10 hydrogen bonds. The extremely high catalytic activity of N‐(2,6‐diphenylphenyl)‐N‐mesitylammonium pentafluorobenzenesulfonate in the dehydration reactions may be ascribed to the local hydrophobic environment of the tightly aggregated ammonium salts.