Synthesis of cyclic compounds consisting of face-to-face p-oligophenyls

Facile synthesis of xanthene-based π-stacked compounds consisting of face-to-face p-oligophenyls has been described. Just by mixing xanthene-4,5-diboronic acid and p-oligophenyls containing a benzenetetraol unit yielded cyclic compounds selectively due to the reversibility of the boronate esterification. In the ground state, weak π–π interactions between two p-oligophenyl moieties were observed, whereas their π–π interactions were clearly shown in the excited state.     

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.     

New N-heterocyclic carbene mercury(II) and silver(I) complexes

The complexes [1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-3-octylimy]₂Hg[HgCl₄] (2a) (imy = imidazol-2-ylidene) and [1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-3-butylbimy]₂AgPF₆ (2b) (bimy = benzimidazol-2-ylidene) have been prepared and characterized. Crystal packing of complex 2a revealed that 1D polymeric chains are formed by [1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-3-octylimy]Hg and [HgCl₄]²⁻ through weak Hg…Cl bonds. The packing diagram of 2b showed that 1D supramolecular chains are formed by both benzimidazole ring head to tail π–π stacking interactions and anthracene ring face-to-face π–π stacking interactions.     

Microsheets assembled from pyridinium-tailored anthracenes

A facile strategy to construct microsheets assembled from 9-substituted anthracene-pyridinium compounds (APs) has been developed. With the different length of linkers, APs could form the ‘v’-shaped dimer or ‘face-to-face’ dimer, respectively, driven by CH–π interactions and π-stacking interactions, which consequently lead to the assembly of final microsheets.     

Structural organization of a {ruthenium[tris(bipyridyl)]} complex by strong π–π stacking of a tethered 1,8-naphthalimide synthon: Impact on electrochemical and spectral properties

The new ligand N-(5-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)-1,8-naphthalimide has been prepared by the reaction of 1,8-naphthalimide, 5-(bromomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine and potassium carbonate in refluxing acetone. Reaction of this ligand and bis(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) dichloride in refluxing ethanol followed by anion exchange with ammonium hexafluorophosphate produces {ruthenium[bis(bipyridyl)][N-(5-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)-1,8-naphthalimide]}(PF₆)₂ (1). In both the solid state (X-ray analysis) and in solution (shown by PGSE-NMR analysis), the 1,8-naphthalimide synthon organizes the cationic metal units into dimers with a strong, directionally oriented (head to tail) π–π stacking interaction. UV–VIS, fluorescence spectroscopy and electrochemical studies indicate that even with the strong interactions of the 1,8-naphthalimide groups, it does not have a significant influence on the properties of the [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺ core.     

Trihydrazone functionalized cyanopyridine discoids: synthesis,mesogenic and optical properties

A new series of trihydrazone functionalized cyanopyridine derivatives (CPTH-D_m) carrying 3,4-dialkoxyphenyl groups was designed and synthesized successfully as discotic columnar liquid crystals. These new discoid mesogens display hexagonal columnar phase with a wide mesophase range from ambient temperature to 110 °C and the observed columnar assembly is due to the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions in them. Their optical studies reveal that the compounds are good blue light emitters and hence they are potential candidates for OLED device fabrication.     

Copper(I) complexes of a thioether-functionalized short-bite aminobis(phosphonite), [PhN{P(–OC10H6(μ-S)C10H6O–)}2]

Copper(I) complexes of short-bite aminobis(phosphonite), PhN{P(–OC₁₀H₆(μ-S)C₁₀H₆O–)}₂ (1) have been synthesized. Reactions of 1 with an excess of CuX (X = Cl, Br, and I) afforded the ligand-bridged binuclear complexes, [PhN(PR-κP)₂{Cu(μ-X)(MeCN)}₂] (2, X = Cl; 3, X = Br; 4, X = I; R = –OC₁₀H₆(μ-S)C₁₀H₆O–), whereas treatment with 0.5 equiv. of [Cu(MeCN)₄]PF₆ produces the mononuclear bischelated cationic complex, [{PhN(PR-κP)₂}₂Cu](PF₆) (5). Single crystal X-ray structures of complexes 3 and 4 are reported. Complex 3 shows strong π–π stacking interactions between the naphthyl moieties, whereas complex 4 shows ligand-supported Cu?Cu metallophilic interactions.     

Synthesis and spectroscopy of anthracene-containing linear and ‘T’-shaped π-conjugated ligands

A range of new π-conjugated ethynyl- and diethynyl-benzene ligands has been synthesised and their spectroscopic characterisation carried out, most notably via IR and ¹H NMR. X-ray crystal structures were obtained for three of these ligands and one unusual ruthenium complex. Both the 4-ethynyl- and 2,5-diethynyl-benzene cores of these compounds have been functionalised through organic transformations by addition of an 9-anthracenyl. This has been attached via a range of linker moieties that vary in both their length and degree of π-conjugation. This has given rise to two groups of compounds with either a linear, e.g., 9-(2-(4-ethynylphenyl)ethynediyl)anthracene and 9-(2-(4-ethynylphenyl)ethyl)anthracene, or ‘T’-shaped morphologies, e.g., 9-(2-(2,5-diethylnylphenyl)ethyl)anthracene.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and thermal analysis of supramolecular architectures of copper(II)(2,2′-biimidazole) complexes using dicarboxylate as a coligand

Two new copper(II) complexes {[Cu(H₂biim)(H₂O)(suc)](H₂O)}_n (1) and {[Cu(H₂biim)₂(H₂O)][Cu(H₂biim)₂(glut)](glutH)(NO₃) · 2.5H₂O}_n (2) (H₂biim, 2,2′-biimidazole; suc, succinate dianion; glut, glutarate dianion) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction study and thermal analysis. Complex 1 comprises of 1D zigzag coordination polymers, elongated along the crystallographic b-axis, connected through H-bonding and face-to-face π–π interactions to form a robust 3D network. Whereas complex 2 is built up of bischelated [Cu(II)(H₂biim)₂]²⁺ units, glutarate and nitrate anions and water molecules, held together through an extensive H-bonded system. The resulting 3D supramolecular architecture defines channels which are filled by lattice water molecules and disordered nitrate anions.     

Synthesis of β,β′-edge fused, π-extended porphyrins and their applications in the dye-sensitized solar cells

Four π-extended, β,β′ aromatic ring fused porphyrins including mono- and opp-dibenzoporphyrins bearing two carboxyl groups at only one fused benzo group were synthesized. The optical results by UV–vis spectroscopy indicate that when compared with the absorption spectra of monobenzoporphyrins, greater light-harvesting capabilities can be realized for opp-dibenzoporphyrins with two benzo group at the opposite β,β′ positions of the porphyrin. The photovoltaic properties of these π-extended porphyrins were examined for the first time and the highest conversion efficiency of 1.62% was realized for opp-dibenzoporphyrin 8a-sensitized solar cell, which is ∼60% higher than that of monobenzoporphyrin 4a based solar cell indicating the effect of an extra aromatic π conjugation on the light-harvesting capabilities of π-extended porphyrins. Subsequent DFT calculation results supported our results obtained in the optical and photovoltaic studies.     

Diversity of coordination architecture of silver(Ι) complexes with different 2-aminopyrimidyl derivatives: Effect of counter anions and ligands

Five new silver(Ι) complexes of the formula [Ag(L₁)(CF₃SO₃)(H₂O)]_n (1), [Ag₄(L₁)₄(CF₃CO₂)₄]_n (2), [Ag₂(L₁)₄(ClO₄)₂] (3), [Ag(L₂)(ClO₄)]_n (4), and [Ag(L₃)(ClO₄)]_n (5) have been synthesized by reactions of varied silver(Ι) salts with the corresponding 2-aminopyrimidyl ligands (namely, 2-amino-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (L₁), 2-amino-4-methoxy-6-methylprimidine (L₂), and 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxyprimidine (L₃)). The influences of counter anions and ligands on the structure of the complexes are discussed. Two complexes, 1 with one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain and 2 with 1D ladder network are obtained by using the same ligand L₁ but different silver(Ι) salts. On the other hand, using the same silver(Ι) perchlorate but different ligands under the same synthetic conditions, complexes 3–5 are isolated, respectively. In the case of 3, two metal atoms and four L₁ ligands form dimeric [Ag₂(L₁)₄] unit further connected by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions to form an infinite 2D layer structure. Complex 4 displays a two-dimensional (2D) grid network. Complex 5 has a 1D zigzag chain but different from that of 1. An extended 3D framework arises from N–H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonds and Ag···O weak interaction. The results reveal that the nature of the counter anions and organic ligands all has great impact on the structure of the complexes. In addition, the hydrogen-bonding interactions and π–π stacking also play important roles in the formation of supramolecular architectures, for instance, to link low-dimensional entities to high-dimensional frameworks. The luminescence properties of the synthesized silver complexes were investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Modulation of intermolecular exchange interaction in organic radical based compounds: Magneto-structural analysis of phenol and imidazolium substituted oxoverdazyl radicals

The synthesis of two oxoverdazyls based compounds, the 1,5-dimethyl-3-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-6-oxoverdazyl 1 and the perchlorate salt of 1,5-dimethyl-3-(2′-imidazolium)-6-oxoverdazyl 2 are reported. The structural analysis of 1 reveals that radicals are closely packed in regular columns by way of π-stacking. In contrast, the packing in 2 is definitely influenced by the protonation state of the radical substituent and shows strong lateral staggering of the organic radicals. The organisation in the solid state strongly influences the intermolecular exchange interaction between π-stacked radicals which goes from J = −113 cm⁻¹ (H = −J∑S_iS_i+1) in 1 to J = −1.0 cm⁻¹ and J′ = −0.67 cm⁻¹ in 2.     

Importance of steric factors in face-selective cycloadditions: 1,6-annulated cyclohexa-1,3-dienes

Diastereotopically nonequivalent π-facial 1,6-annulated-1,3-cyclohexadienes have been explored as probe molecules to assess the face-selectivities in cycloadditions. Steric factors have been found to be important in controlling the face-selectivities with these dienes. Studies with the hitherto unexplored diene 5 were also consistent with the order C-H > C-C for hyperconjugative stabilization of the transition state.     

Synthesis,structure and spectroelectrochemical property of (2,2′-bipyridine)–metal (M = Pt,Pd) dichloride with 4,4′-bis(fluorous-ponytail) on bipyridine

The 4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy ligands [R_f = n-C₃F₇ (1a), HCF₂(CF₂)₃ (1b)] were prepared and then treated with [MCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (M = Pt or Pd) to result in the corresponding metal complexes, [MCl₂(4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy)] (M = Pt 2a–b; Pd 3a–b). Both ligands and metal complexes were fully characterized by multi-nuclei NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C), FTIR, and mass (GC/MS or HR-FAB) methods. The X-ray structures of 2a–b and 3a–b were studied. With terminal CF₃, the structures of 2a and 3a exhibit disordered polyfluorinated regions in solid state. With terminal HCF₂, the structures of 2b and 3b show a π–π stacking of the bpy planes, five-membered C–H···O hydrogen bond and an unusual intramolecular blue-shifting C–H···F–C hydrogen bond system, whereas without terminal HCF₂, the structures of 2a and 3a show the similar π–π stacking, five-membered C–H···O hydrogen bond and typical orientation of polyfluorinated ponytails, but not the C–H···F–C hydrogen bond system. The CV and UV/Vis studies were also carried out.     

FTIR and fluorescence studies on the ground and excited state hydrogen-bonding interactions between 1-methylindole and water in water–triethylamine mixtures

The ground and excited state π-hydrogen-bonding interactions between 1-methylindole, MI, and water have been investigated in water–triethylamine, water–TEA, mixtures. FTIR measurements performed on the OH stretching bands of the water–TEA clusters show that, upon MI addition, the typical bands of the water–TEA system at 3348 cm⁻¹, 3440 cm⁻¹, 3545 cm⁻¹ and 3682 cm⁻¹ diminish, whereas two new absorption bands at 3316 cm⁻¹ and 3654 cm⁻¹ grow up. These spectral changes have been rationalised assuming the formation of only one 1:1 water–MI complex, in which the dangling protons in the water–TEA clusters are hydrogen bonded to the π-cloud of the MI aromatic ring. Steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements provide additional proofs on the ground state formation of a fluorescent OH ? π hydrogen bonded complex. The relevance that the present and the previously reported results could have on the indole ring photophysics is discussed.     

Investigation of π–π and ion–dipole interactions on 1-allyl-3-butylimidazolium ionic liquid-modified silica stationary phase in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

1-Allyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid [AyBIm]Br was prepared and used for the modification of mercaptopropyl-functionalized silica through surface radical chain-transfer addition. The obtained ionic liquid-modified silica (SiImBr) was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The selective retention behaviours of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including some positional isomers were investigated using SiImBr as a stationary phase in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The results showed that SiImBr presented multiple interactions including hydrophobic, π–π, and ion–dipole interactions during the separation of PAHs and dipolar compounds. However, it is proposed that π–π and ion–dipole interactions play important roles in the separation of PAHs and dipolar compounds. These results indicate that the ionic liquid-modified silica stationary phase is promising for future applications. A commercially available monomeric octadecylated silica (ODS) column and a custom-made poly(styrene)-grafted silica (Sil-St_n) column were used as references.     

Cadmium–halide and mixed cadmium–halide–dicyanamide polymers mediated by ancillary 2-aminoalkyl-pyridine ligands: Synthesis,X-ray single crystal structures and luminescence property

A series of mixed halide–dicyanamide and halide complexes of cadmium(II) mediated by 2-aminoalkyl-pyridine ligands [2-aminomethylpyridine (ampy) and 2-aminoethylpyridine (aepy)] have been synthesized. Five of them, [CdCl(dca)(aepy)]_n (1), [CdBr(dca)(ampy)]_n (2), [CdCl(dca)(ampy)]_n (3) (dca = dicyanamide); [CdI₂(aepy)]_n (4), and [CdI₂(ampy)]_n (5), (dca = dicyanamide) have been characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. The structural determination shows that the compounds are 1D coordination polymers, with the exception of 3 that gives origin to a 2D sheet-like network. The ampy and aepy ligands (also with the occurrence of dca anions in 1–3) reveal to be useful ancillary fragments for the construction of unprecedented Cd–halide polymeric species. The crystal packing shows that the dimensionality of all compounds is enlarged to 2D, and 3D in the case of complex 3, through π–π interactions occurring between the pyridine rings. All the species exhibit interesting luminescence property in solution as well in solid state which is originated from ligand-centered π–π^∗ transitions. The fluorescence band maxima and fluorescence efficiency (in methanol) are found to be dependent not only on the pyridine ligand but also on the type of halide, and the co-ligand. Solid state luminescent study implies that π–π interactions occurring between pyridine rings are also important in controlling the fluorescence intensity. Amongst the synthesized complexes reported, complex 5 exhibits the highest fluorescence efficiency in methanol.     

Poly(divinylbenzene-alkyl methacrylate) monolithic stationary phases in capillary electrochromatography

In this study, a series of poly(divinylbenzene-alkyl methacrylate) monolithic stationary phases, which were prepared by single step in situ polymerization of divinylbenzene and various alkyl methacrylates (butyl-, octyl-, or lauryl-methacrylate), were developed as separation columns of benzophenone compounds for capillary electrochromatography (CEC). In addition to the presence of plenty of benzene moieties, the stationary phases contained long and flexible alkyl groups on the surface. With an increase in the molecular length of alkyl methacrylate, the polymeric monolith, which had higher hydrophobicity, effectively reduced the peak tailing of benzophenones, but a weaker retention was observed. The unusual phenomenon was likely due to the π–π interaction between the aromatic compound and the polymeric material. The usage of longer alkyl methacrylate as reaction monomer limited the retention of aromatic compounds on the stationary phase surface, thus the π–π interaction between them was possibly reduced. Consequently, the retention time of aromatic compounds was markedly decreased with an increase in carbon length of alkyl methacrylate that was carried on the polymeric monolith. Compared to previous reports on polystyrene-based columns in which the peak-tailing problem was reduced by decreasing the benzene moieties on the stationary phase, this study demonstrated that the undesirable retention (peak-tailing) could also be improved by the inclusion of long alkyl methacrylate to the polystyrene-based columns.     

Comparison of crystal structures and magnetic properties of two Co(II) complexes containing different dicarboxylic acid ligands

Two novel cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(μ-succinato)(H₂O)₂(pyridine)₂]_n1 and {[Co₂(μ-H₂O)(μ-glutarato)₂(pyridine)₂]·pyridine}_n2 have been synthesized by a wet chemistry method. In complex 1, the Co(II) ions are linked through succinate ligands to created one-dimensional polymeric chain along the b-axis. Complex 2 consists of a polymeric chain of dinuclear Co(II) moieties in which two cobalt(II) ions are linked through a bridging water and two bridging carboxylate groups from two glutarate ligands. The glutarate ligands in complex 2 display two coordination modes, interbinuclear bridging and intrabinuclear bridging. All the bond angles of the alkyl chain in complex 2 are between 115.7° and 118.5°, supporting the gauche conformation. Free pyridine molecules were found in the cavities between the chains. Two strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds are observed between the coordinated water and the uncoordinated carboxylate oxygen atom in both complexes. Complex 2 is further stabilized by π–π stacking of pyridine molecules. Complex 1 is a paramagnet (C = 3.50(1) cm³ K mol and θ = −5.0(5) K) and complex 2 exhibits a broad maximum at 4 K due to weak coupling within the dimeric unit.     

The roles of ligands proton affinity, π-back donation and metal fragment hardness on the Au–N bond in N-donor heterocycles gold(III) complexes

A DFT study on the Au–N interaction for some groups of N-donor heterocycles L {L = pyridines (py), pyrimidines (pm), imidazoles (im), pyrazoles (pz) and isoxazoles (io)} in neutral AuX₃L complexes {AuX₃ = AuBr₃, AuCl₃, trans-AuCl(CN)₂, Au(CN)₃} is reported. Linear relationships between the AuX₃ Mulliken charge in AuX₃L and the computed proton affinity (PA) of the heterocycle were found for all the considered ligands. The different slopes found on changing the N-donor species represent a measure of the π-acidity of these nitrogen ligands once coordinated to the metal centre, by the consequence a π-acceptor ability scale has been derived. The π-acceptor ability of the 5-membered N-donor ligands resulted in all the cases greater than that of the 6-membered N-heterocycles. The proton affinity average value corresponding to a zero charge of the AuX₃ and L fragments in the AuX₃L species has been estimated. This parameter represents the minimum PA value for the formation of a bond between the N-heterocycles and gold(III) and it does not depend on the electronic features of the coordinated ligands. The sensitivity of the AuX₃ fragments towards ligands PA variations follows the order Au(CN)₃ < trans-AuCl(CN)₂ < AuCl₃ < AuBr₃ and this last result has been explained on the basis of the metal fragments relative hardness.