Selective turn-on fluorescence for Zn and Zn + Cd metal ions by single Schiff base chemosensor

Chemosensor based on Schiff base molecules (1, 2) were synthesized and demonstrated the selective fluoro/colorimetric sensing of multiple metal ions (Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺) in acetonitrile–aqueous solution. Both 1 and 2 showed a highly selective naked-eye detectable colorimetric change for Mn²⁺ ions at 10⁻⁷ M. Fluorescence sensing studies of 1 and 2 exhibited a strong fluorescence enhancement (36 fold) selectively upon addition of Zn²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M, λ_max = 488 nm). Fluorescence titration and single crystal X-ray analysis confirmed the formation of 1:1 molecular coordination complex between 1 and Zn²⁺. Interestingly, a rare phenomenon of strong second turn-on fluorescence (190 fold, λ_max = 466 nm) was observed by the addition of Cd²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M) into 1 + Zn²⁺ or Zn²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M) into 1 + Cd²⁺. Importantly both 1 and 2 exhibited different fluorescence λ_max with clearly distinguishable color for both Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures and fluorescence properties of three novel frameworks constructed with mixed ligands of isophthalic acid (1,3-BDC) and 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (Dpdq): [M(1,3-BDC)(Dpdq)(H2O)m] · nH2O (M = Co, Cd or Zn)

Three novel metal-organic frameworks [M(1,3-BDC)(Dpdq)(H₂O)_m] · nH₂O, (M = Co^II (1), Cd^II (2) or Zn^II (3); m = 0, 1; n = 0, 1, 2, respectively) have been obtained from hydrothermal reactions of three different metal(II) nitrates with the same mixed ligands [isophthalic acid (1,3-BDC) and 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (Dpdq)], and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that each pair of metal ions are bridged by various coordination modes of 1,3-BDC ligands to form left- and right-handed helical chains in 1, linear chains in 2, and double chains in 3, respectively. N-containing flexible ligand Dpdq takes a chelating coordination mode acting as terminal ligand. In the compound 1, adjacent left- and right-handed helical chains are packed through hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional (2-D) structure. In the compounds 2 and 3, adjacent chains are further linked by hydrogen bonds and/or π-π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional (3-D) distorted hexagon meshes supramolecular framework for 2 and a ZnS-related three-dimensional (3-D) topology for 3, respectively. The different structures of compounds 1-3 illustrate that the influence of the metal ions in the self-assembly of polymeric coordination architectures. In addition, compounds 2 and 3 exhibit blue emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Exploiting the deprotonation mechanism for the design of ratiometric and colorimetric Zn fluorescent chemosensor with a large red-shift in emission

The design, synthesis, and photophysical evaluation of a new naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor, N-butyl-4-[di-(2-picolyl)amino]-5-(2-picolyl)amino-1,8-naphthalimide (1), were described for the detection of Zn²⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution at pH 7.0. Probe 1 showed absorption at 451 nm and a strong fluorescence emission at 537 nm (Φ_F=0.33). The capture of Zn²⁺ by the receptor resulted in the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to 1,8-naphthalimide so that the electron-donating ability of the N atom would be greatly enhanced; thus probe 1 showed a 56 nm red-shift in absorption (507 nm) and fluorescence spectra (593 nm, Φ_F=0.14), respectively, from which one could sense Zn²⁺ ratiometrically and colorimetrically. The deprotonated complex, [(1-H)/Zn]⁺, was calculated at m/z 619.1800 and measured at m/z 618.9890. In contrast to these results, the emission of 1 was thoroughly quenched by Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺. The addition of other metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ produced a nominal change in the optical properties of 1 due to their low affinity to probe 1. This means that probe 1 has a very high fluorescent imaging selectivity to Zn²⁺ among metal ions.     

meta-Phenylene-bridged double Schiff base copper(II) complexes as building blocks for 1D coordination polymers: Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties

The new double Schiff-base ligands H₆ipa-hyhb and H₆ipa-hyhh were synthesized by condensation of a 4,6-diformylresorcinol derivative (ipa) with 4-hydroxy-butanoic acid hydrazide (hyhb) and 6-hydroxy-hexanoic acid hydrazide (hyhh). The reaction with copper(II) perchlorate in the presence of an appropriate co-ligand (Him = imidazole, Hpz = pyrazole) leads to the novel coordination polymers {[Cu₂(H₄ipa-hyhb)(Hpz)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n (1), {[Cu₂(H₄ipa-hyhb)(Him)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n (2), and {[Cu₂-(H₄ipa-hyhh)(Hpz)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n (3). These coordination polymers are composed of primary building blocks with the general formula [Cu₂(H₄ipa-X)(L)₂]²⁺ (X = hyhb, hyhh; L = Him, Hpz) which are linked by coordination of the hydroxyl groups of the ligand side chains at the apical position of copper(II) centers of adjacent building blocks. The resulting chains possess different topologies and therefore different supramolecular structures due to the variation in length of the ligand alkyl side chains. For the complexes 1 and 2 double hydroxyalkyl-bridged distorted ladder like chains are formed. Whereas in case of complex 3 single hydroxyalkyl-bridged chains are obtained which assemble to hydrogen bonded double chains. In the case of 1 and 2 these chains are cross-linked by hydrogen bonding interactions with the perchlorate counterions, whereas for 3 additional π–π stacking interaction are observed. The temperature-dependent magnetic measurements indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions with coupling constants J = −26.1 cm⁻¹ (1), J = −28.2 cm⁻¹ (2), and J = −26.5 cm⁻¹ (3). The magnetic exchange interaction is solely the result of a coupling within the dinuclear complex moieties through the central resorcinol moiety.     

Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of new receptors and sensors containing anthraquinone and benzimidazole units

Novel anion receptors and sensors, HBIMANQ and BIMANQ fabricated from the imidazolole unit and anthraquinone moieties were synthesized. ¹H NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis titrations in DMSO-d₆ and DMSO, respectively, showed that both receptors underwent deprotonation at the NH- moiety of the amide-anthraquinone unit in the presence of basic anions such as F⁻ and AcO⁻. These phenomena gave a dramatic color change due to charge transfer transition corresponding to the shift of λ_max from 371 nm to 489 nm. Redox chemistry of HBIMANQ and BIMANQ in the presence of anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, AcO⁻, BzO⁻, and H₂PO₄⁻) using cyclic voltammetry showed the different CV responses upon addition of various anions. In the case of HBIMANQ with various anions, the CV changes are dependent on the basic strength of anions in order of F⁻>AcO⁻, BzO⁻>H₂PO₄⁻>Cl⁻, Br⁻. Interestingly, the CV responses of BIMANQ with H₂PO₄⁻ exhibited the most significant changes. BIMANQ, thus, has an excellent electrochemical selectivity toward H₂PO₄⁻.     

Electrostatic forces that determine O,O-trans versus O,S-cis conformers in the aminated porphyrin complexes of Cd(N-NHCO-2-C4H3O-tpp)(OAc) and Cd(N-NHCO-2-C4H3S-tpp)(OAc)

Two new diamagnetic, mononuclear and aminated porphyrin complexes of O,O-trans-Cd (3-trans) and O,S-cis-Cd (4-cis) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of (acetato)(N-2-furancarboxamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)cadmium(II) [Cd(N-NHCO-2-C₄H₃O-tpp)(OAc); 3-trans] and (acetato)(N-2-thiophenecarboxamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)cadmium(II) [Cd(N-NHCO-2-C₄H₃S-tpp)(OAc); 4-cis] were determined. The coordination sphere around Cd²⁺ is a distorted square-based pyramid in which the apical site is occupied by a bidentate chelating OAc⁻ group for 3-trans and 4-cis. The plane of three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e., N(1), N(2), N(4) for 3-trans and N(1), N(2), N(3) for 4-cis] strongly bonded to Cd²⁺ is adopted as a reference plane 3N. The N(3) and N(4) pyrrole rings bearing the 2-furancarboxamido (Fr) and 2-thiophenecarboxamido groups in 3-trans and 4-cis, respectively, deviate mostly from the 3N plane, thus orienting separately with a dihedral angle of 33.4° and of 31.0°. In 3-trans, Cd²⁺ and N(5) are located on different sides at 1.06 and −1.49 Å from its 3N plane, while in 4-cis, Cd²⁺ and N(5) are also located on different sides at 1.04 and −1.53 Å from its 3N plane. An attractive electrostatic interaction between the Cd²⁺ and O(4)⁻ atoms in furan stabilizes the O,O-trans conformer of 3. A repulsive electrostatic interaction between Cd²⁺ and S(1)⁺ destabilizes the O,S-trans conformer of 4. Both of these repulsive and the mutually attractive interactions between S(1)⁺ and O(3)⁻ atoms favor the O,S-cis rotamer of 4 both in the vapor phase and in low polarity solvents. NOE difference spectroscopy, HMQC and HMBC were employed for the unambiguous assignment of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR resonances of 3-trans and 4-cis in CDCl₃ at 20 and −50 °C.     

Spectroscopic,structure and DFT studies of copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone: A chromogenic agent for palladium(II)

A heterocyclic hydrazone ligand, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone, HL, 1, was investigated as a new chromogenic agent for selective detection of Pd²⁺. The ligand HL, 1, undergoes 1:1 complexation with Pd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ to form complexes [Pd(L)Cl], 1a and [Cu(HL)Cl₂], 1b respectively. The complex 1a gives a characteristic absorption peak at 536 nm with distinct reddish-pink coloration. The change in color can easily be distinguished from other metal complexes by the naked eye. No obvious interference was observed in the presence of other metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Sn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺). The association constants, K_ass (UV–Vis), were found to be 5.52 ± 0.004 × 10⁴ for 1a and 4.94 ± 0.006 × 10⁴ for 1b at 298 K. On excitation at 295 nm, the ligand HL, 1 strongly emits at 372 nm due to an intraligand ¹(π–π^∗) transition. Upon complexation the emission peaks are blue shifted (λ_ex 295 nm, λ_em 358 nm for 1a and λ_ex 295 nm, λ_em 367 nm for 1b) along with a quenching (F/F₀ 0.32 for 1a and 0.88 for 1b) in the emission intensity. DFT and TDDFT calculations were highly consistent with the spectroscopic behavior of the ligand and complexes. The molecular structure of the complex 1b has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

On the different coordination of Ni, Zn and Cd cations in their model Schiff base complexes - Single crystal X-ray and solid state NMR studies

Three model metal complexes: Ni(NCS)L, Zn₂(NCS)₂L₂ and Cd₂(NCS)₂L₂, consisting of the SCN⁻ anion(s) and L = 2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)-methyl]-phenolate, have been studied by X-ray diffraction and solid state NMR spectroscopy. The metal cations in these complexes have different coordination modes: Ni²⁺ is almost square-planar, the Zn²⁺ cation in Zn₂(NCS)₂L₂ is pentacoordinated, whereas Cd²⁺ is penta- and hexacoordinated in [Cd₂(NCS)₂L₂]. The different coordination of the metal cations influences the chemical shifts of the metal cations and also the nitrogen atoms. These chemical shifts can be correlated with the M-N and M-O bond lengths (M = Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺).     

Syntheses,IR spectra,thermal properties and crystal structures of novel cyano-bridged polymeric complexes of zinc and cadmium with tetracyanoplatinate

Two novel one-dimensional polymeric cyano-bridged platinum(II) complexes of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine (hydeten), [M^II(hydeten)Pt(CN)₂(μ-CN)₂]_n (M^II = Zn^II (1) and Cd^II (2)), were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical methods (elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermoanalytical measurements) and X-ray diffraction. Thermal behaviours of 1 and 2 were followed using TG and DTA (DSC) techniques. The 1D chain structures of 1 and 2 were verified by X-ray diffraction studies. According to the positions of the bridging cyano groups, in complex 1 the polymeric chains are built up via the 2,2-CT type, while in complex 2 the polymeric chains are built up via the 2,2-TT type.     

Zn selective luminescent ‘off-on’ probes derived from diaryl oxadiazole and aza-15-crown-5

New photo-induced electron transfer (PET) probes OMOX and OBOX, carrying an additional binding site in the form of ‘oxadiazole nitrogen’ have been designed to evaluate binding interactions with biologically significant Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ including environmentally toxic Ba²⁺ and Cd²⁺ using optical spectral techniques. While Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ did not appreciably perturb either the absorption or emission spectra, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ induced slight red shifts (2-8 nm) in the UV-visible spectra as well as pronounced chelation induced enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). Both OMOX and OBOX exhibited the highest CHEF in contact with the zinc ion, whereas Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ induced relatively less emission enhancements. OBOX, which is a poorer emitter (Φ_f=0.0062) than OMOX (Φ_f=0.015), showed highly promising 160-fold emission enhancement in the presence of Zn²⁺. Potential, therefore is available in OBOX to function as a selective luminescent ‘off-on’ sensor for Zn²⁺ in the presence of coordinatively competing Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions.     

Heavy metal complexation by N-acyl(thio)urea-functionalized cavitands: synthesis, extraction and potentiometric studies

The synthesis and binding properties of resorcinarene-based cavitands functionalized with N-acylthiourea moieties towards different cations are described. Extraction studies with metal (Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Eu³⁺, Fe³⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and Ca²⁺) picrates and the incorporation in ion selective electrodes (ISEs), show that there is more than a 40% increase of the Ag⁺ extraction for N-acylthiourea ionophores (2, 3, and 8) in comparison with N-benzoyl-N′-benzylthiourea (9). Ionophore 8, which has a C₃ chain between the platform and the ionophore, extracts two times more Cu²⁺ than the more rigid one (2). Stoichiometry studies showed for ligand 2 a ligand/metal ratio of 1:1, while for model compound 9 a ratio of 1:2 was found. Potentiometric studies of electrodes revealed that cavitands 2, 3, and 8 induce a significantly different selectivity pattern compared to the cation-exchanger used, as well as model compound 9. Especially, a considerable enhancement of the selectivity towards Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ over K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Na²⁺ ions was observed.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic properties of five new metal(II) compounds constructed with isomers of aminobenzonitrile and dicyanamide ligands

Five new compounds formulated as [Ni^II(dca)₂(para-ABN)₂(H₂O)₂] (1), [Cu^II(dca)₂(para-ABN)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), [Cu^II(dca)₂(para-ABN)₂]_n, (3), [Cu^II(dca)₂(ortho-ABN)₂]_n, (4) and [Cd^II(dca)₂(meta-ABN)₂]_n (5), where dca = dicyanamide and ABN = aminobenzonitrile, have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and low temperature (300–2 K) magnetic measurements. The structural analyses revealed that 1 and 2 are isomorphous where dca and para-ABN both act as monodentate ligands. 3 consists of infinite double stranded chains of Cu(II) ions connected through the para-ABN bridges whereas 4 and 5 consist of infinite double stranded chains of Cu(II) and Cd(II) respectively, connected through μ_1,5-dca bridges. The compounds extend their geometries to three-dimensional for 1–3 and 5 and two-dimensional for 4 through hydrogen bonding interactions. All the metal ions Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ are located on inversion centres and have distorted octahedral coordination geometries. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the global feature of the χ_MT versus T curves for 3 and 4 is characteristic of very weak antiferromagnetic interactions and between 300 and 2 K the best fit parameters were determined as J = −2.35 and −5.1 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Fluoride-induced intermolecular excimer formation of bispyrenyl thioureas linked by polyethylene glycol chains

New bispyrenyl thioureas linked by polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, L1-L3, and methoxy benzene pyrene thiourea, L4, were synthesized. Upon binding with F⁻ in CHCl₃, L1-L3 exhibited strong excimer emission bands (I_E) and weak monomer emission bands (I_M), while L4 displayed the same intensity of both bands. However, little or no change was observed in fluorescence spectra of L1 upon adding OH⁻, AcO⁻, BzO⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻. Therefore, only F⁻ induced the pyrene excimer formation. Job’s plots showed 1/1 or 2/2 complexation of L1 with F⁻. Ratios of I_E/I_M of L1·F⁻ complex were dependent on the concentration of L1, implying that the dimerization of L1 proceeded via the intermolecular excimer formation. Among L1-L4, L1 possessed the highest binding constant and sensitivity toward F⁻ implying the importance of the linking PEG chain. L1 was demonstrated to be an excellent probe for F⁻ in CHCl₃ with the detection limit as low as 46.2 μg/L.     

Three different fluorescent responses to transition metal ions using receptors based on 1,2-bis- and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene

The dipod 1,2-bis(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene (3) and tetrapod 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene (5) have been synthesized through nucleophilic substitution of respective 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)benzene (2) and 1,2,4,5-tetra(bromomethyl)benzene (4) with 8-hydroxyquinoline (1). For comparison, 1,3,5-tris(8-hydroxyquinolinoxymethyl)benzene derivatives (7a and 7b) have been obtained. The complexation behavior of these podands towards Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ metal ions has been investigated in acetonitrile by fluorescence spectroscopy. The sterically crowded 1,2,4,5-tetrapod 5 displays unique fluorescence ‘ON-OFF-ON’ switching through fluorescence quenching (λ_max 395 nm, switch OFF) with <1.0 equiv of Ag⁺ and fluorescence enhancement (λ_max 495 nm, switch ON) with >3 equiv Ag⁺ and can be used for estimation of two different concentrations of Ag⁺ at two different wavelengths. The addition of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ metal ions to tetrapod 5 causes fluorescence quenching, i.e., ‘ON-OFF’ phenomena at λ_max 395 nm for <10 μM (1 equiv) of these ions but addition of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ to tetrapod 5 results in fluorescence enhancement with a gradual shift of λ_em from 395 to 432 and 418 nm, respectively. Similarly, dipod 3 behaves as an ‘ON-OFF-ON’ switch with Ag⁺, an ‘ON-OFF’ switch with Cu²⁺, and an ‘OFF-ON’ switch with Zn²⁺. The placement of quinolinoxymethyl groups at the 1,3,5-positions of benzene ring in tripod 7a-b leads to simultaneous fluorescence quenching at λ_max 380 nm and enhancement at λ_max 490 nm with both Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺. This behavior is in parallel with 8-methoxyquinoline 8. The rationalization of these results in terms of metal ion coordination and protonation of podands shows that 1,2 placement of quinoline units in tetrapod 5 and dipod 3 causes three different fluorescent responses, i.e., ‘ON-OFF-ON’, ‘ON-OFF’, and ‘OFF-ON’ due to metal ion coordination of different transition metal ions and 1, 3, and 5 placement of three quinolines in tripod 7, the protonation of quinolines is preferred over metal ion coordination. In general, the greater number of quinoline units coordinated per metal ion in 5 compared with the other podands points to organization of the four quinoline moieties around metal ions in the case of 5.     

A series of metal-organic frameworks based on 9,10-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)anthracene and structurally related aromatic dicarboxylates: Syntheses, structures, and photoluminescence

A series of new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on 9,10-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)anthracene and four structurally related aromatic dicarboxylates, namely, [Cd(L)(o-bdc)]·1.25H₂O (1), [Cd(L)(pydc)] (2), [Zn(L)(pydc)] (3), [Cd₃(L)₂(m-bdc)₃] (4) and [Cd(L)(p-bdc)]·2H₂O (5) (L = 9,10-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)anthracene, o-H₂bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂pydc = 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, m-H₂bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, p-H₂bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic 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), elemental analyses and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Compound 1 displays a two-dimensional (2D) layer structure, which is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural and show 2D layer structures, which are further extended by intermolecular C-H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions to form 3D supramolecular frameworks. Compound 4 has a 2D layer structure with trinuclear units [Cd₃(u₃-O)₂]⁶⁺. Compound 5 is a 3D three-fold interpenetrating framework with a Schläfli symbol (6⁶·8). The structural differences of these compounds indicate that the anions play important roles in the resulting structures of the MOFs. The luminescent properties were also investigated for compounds 1-5.     

Rare configuration of tautomeric benzimidazolecarboxylate ligands in cadmium(II) and copper(II) coordination polymers

Two Cd(HBimc)-based isomers, [Cd(HBimc^N)(HBimc^T)(H₂O)]·3.5H₂O·EtOH (1a·3.5H₂O·EtOH, H₂Bimc=1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid) and [Cd(HBimc^N)(HBimc^T)(H₂O)] (1b), and two Cu(HMBimc)-based coordination polymers, [Cu(HMBimc^N)₂(H₂O)]·1/2H₂O (2·1/2H₂O, H₂MBimc=2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid) and [Cu(HMBimc^T)₂]·2THF·H₂O (3·2THF·H₂O), were self-assembled from Cd(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O/H₂Bimc and Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O/H₂MBimc systems, respectively. Compound 1a adopts a ladder-like chain structure, comprised of a hydrogen-bond-stabilized Cd₂(HBimc^N)₂-metallocyclic stair and a 1D straight -(Cd-HBimc^T)_n- edge, whereas compound 1b exhibits a 2D (4,4)-rhombus layered structure, intercrossed by 1D -(Cd-HBimc^N)_n- chains and -(Cd-HBimc^T)_n- chains. Compound 2 shows a 1D double-stranded wave-like chain from two single-stranded wave-like -(Cu-HMBimc^N)_n- chains and compound 3 adopts a 2D (4,4)-topological layer structure, intercrossed by subunits of 1D -(Cu-HMBimc^T)_n- chains. Interestingly, a pair of tautomeric HBimc building blocks—normal (N or HBimc^N) and tautomer (T or HBimc^T)—is simultaneously included in the structures of 1a and 1b, whilst the N- and T-configured HMBimc building blocks are present as separate entities in Cu species, 2 and 3, respectively. The existence of only a tautomer (T) mode of the benzimidazolecarboxylate-based ligand in a Cu(II) network is observed for the first time.     

Preparation of chelate bis(imine)nickel allyl systems by reaction of their corresponding butadiene complexes with electrophiles

The chelate 1,2-bis(imine)nickel(butadiene) complex 4a (chelate ligand derived from condensation of biacetyl with 2,6-diisopropylaniline) adds the strong Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ at the terminal carbon atom of the butadiene ligand to yield the dipolar substituted π-allyl-type betaine complex (lig)Ni[η³-C₃H₄-CH₂B(C₆F₅)₃] (Z-6a). At 90 °C the kinetically formed product equilibrated with its E-6a isomer. Similarly, 4a adds the boron Lewis acid (pyrrolyl)B(C₆F₅)₂ to yield the corresponding neutral dipolar π-allyl betaine complex Z-7a, that slowly equilibrated with E-7a over several hours at ambient temperature. Protonation of the butadiene ligand of complex 4a was achieved by treatment with the neutral Brønsted acid (2H-pyrrol)B(C₆F₅)₃ to yield the [(lig)Ni(η³-crotyl)⁺][(pyrrolyl)B(C₆F₅)₃⁻] salt 9a (Z-/E-9a ratio=90:10 upon preparation). At 298 K this salt rearranged to a 5:95 mixture of Z-9a/E-9a with a Gibbs activation energy of ΔG^‡ (298 K)=22.3±0.2 kcal mol⁻¹. Complex 4a added [Ph₃C⁺] to the butadiene ligand to yield the salt [(lig)Ni(η³-C₃H₄-CH₂CPh₃)⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] (Z-12a), that proved isomerically stable under the applied reaction conditions. Similar reactions were carried out starting from the acenaphthylene 1,2-dione derived chelate bis(imine)Ni(butadiene) complex 4b. The systems 6, 7, 9 and 12 were found to be active ethene polymerization catalysts in the presence of Al(i-Bu)₃.     

A sinapic acid–calix[4]arene hybrid selectively binds Pb over Hg and Cd

The binding affinity for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺ of the sinapic acid–calix[4]arene hybrid 2, having four sinapyl pendants at the upper rim, has been investigated via an UV–Vis study. Compound 2 has better complexing ability than the monomeric p-phenetidine derivative 1. This highlights that the clustering of sinapyl units in a basket-like structure, dictated by the calixarene scaffold, greatly enhances the complexing properties. Ligand 2 forms complexes even with Hg²⁺, which is not complexed by 1 at all; the complexes formed by 2 with Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ are much stronger than the analogous complexes formed by 1. The UV–Vis investigation shows that the hybrid 2 markedly favors Pb²⁺ over Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Information on the structural properties of the complex species was obtained by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. NMR data show that all three metal ions are placed into the cavity consisting of the calixarene scaffold and the sinapyl pendants, though their binding affects the coordinating regions to a different extent.     

1-Aminoanthracene-9,10-dione based chromogenic molecular sensors: effect of nature and number of nitrogen atoms on metal ion sensing behavior

To examine the consequences of nature and number of nitrogen atoms on metal ion sensing properties, four new molecular receptors based on 1-aminoanthracene-9,10-dione as chromogenic moiety and different types of nitrogen atoms viz. arylamine, alkylamine, and pyridyl nitrogen as appendages have been synthesized. These receptors in CH₃OH/H₂O (1:1) (v/v) at pH 7.0, on addition of heavy metal ions show selective and/or semi-selective interactions. These binding interactions are visible to naked eye due to remarkable color change and are associated with λ_max shift by 85-125 nm. Molecular receptor 2, with two sp² hybridized nitrogen atoms and one arylamine nitrogen, selectively binds with Cu²⁺ but 2-Cu²⁺ complex is stable only between pH 7.0 and 8.75. However, the conversion of imine nitrogen to alkylamine in molecular receptor 6, increases the binding ability toward Cu²⁺ along with significant binding affinities toward Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺. Receptor 6 shows the stability of its complexes in the order Cu²⁺>Ni²⁺>Co²⁺ in a broader pH range 6-12. Dipicolylamine based receptor 8, possessing two pyridyl nitrogen atoms, one tertiaryamine and one arylamine nitrogen atoms as ligating sites, also binds semiselectively in the order Cu²⁺>Co²⁺>Ni²⁺. Receptor 10, possessing anilide group in the place of arylamine in receptor 8, on addition of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ or Co²⁺ shows bathochromic shift of λ_max associated with color change from yellow to russet (brown) and on addition of Zn²⁺ shows hypsochromic shift of its λ_max associated with disappearance of yellow color. Additionally, all the four chemosensors show ratiometric response toward all these metal ions and thus increase the usability and the dynamic range of estimation.     

Novel C3-symmetrical triphenylbenzene-based organogelators with different linkers between phenyl ring and alkyl chain

A new family of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene-based organogelators with approximately identical side chain length have been synthesized and fully characterized. The molecular aggregation can be promoted by hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals interaction. The magnitudes of hydrogen bonding interactions between the linkers on the triphenylbenzene cores are qualitatively in the order of -CONHNHCO-, -NHCONH->-NHCO->-CONH->-NHCSNH-, consequently resulting in different gelation behaviors. The sol-gel transitions of gels 3 and 4 in toluene are thermodynamically reversible, while the formations of gels 2 and 5 in dioxane are kinetically controlled. The urea-based gel 2 can selectively recognize F⁻ ion.