An alkynyltelluronium iodide and its solid state structure: evidence for p→σ interactions

The synthesis of the first alkynyltelluronium salt is presented. X-ray investigations of this species reveal a two-dimensional polymeric structure, assembled through various secondary Te?Te and Te ?I interactions. The structure itself can be rationalized in terms of p→σ^* interactions.     

Cation-anion interactions and polar structures in the solid state

Complicated structures where oxygen and fluorine are found together in one framework, where deviations from Pauling's second crystal rule (PSCR) are expected, often result in structures with important physical properties. The [NbOF5]2- anion and therefore all the individual Nb-O and Nb-F bonds are ordered in noncentrosymmetric KNaNbOF5 and centrosymmetric CsNaNbOF5. The Na/K- and Na/Cs-O/F interactions in these phases, in particular the expected deviations from PSCR and the bond valence model, reveal the essential role of the small potassium cations in the acentric packing of the [NbOF5]2- anion. KNaNbOF5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic and polar space group Pna21 (No. 33) with lattice constants a = 11.8653(11) A, b = 5.8826(6) A, c = 8.1258(8) A, and Z = 4, while CsNaNbOF5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (No. 60) with lattice constants a = 8.3155(7), b = 13.3176(11), c = 11.1314(9), and Z = 8.     

Weak interactions: Potency for stabilization of molecule in solid state

Weak interactions usually show a versatile property to stabilize the molecular conformation and crystal packing in solid state. Crystal packing and conformational property of the synthesized compound 1(3‐cyano‐4,6‐dimethyl nicotinonitril‐1‐yl)‐3‐(phalimido‐1‐yl)‐1‐thioxyethane ( 2 ) is stabilized by CH···O, CH···N, and CH···π interactions. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 00 , 00 (2011).     

Multidimensional solid state NMR of anisotropic interactions in peptides and proteins

Accurate determinations of chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors are valuable for NMR of biological systems. In this review we describe recent developments in CSA measurement techniques and applications, particularly in the context of peptides and proteins. These techniques include goniometeric measurements of single crystals, slow magic-angle spinning studies of powder samples, and CSA recoupling under moderate to fast MAS. Experimental CSA data can be analyzed by comparison with ab initio calculations for structure determination and refinement. This approach has particularly high potential for aliphatic (13)C analysis, especially Calpha tensors which are directly related to structure. Carbonyl and (15)N CSA tensors demonstrate a more complex dependence upon hydrogen bonding and electrostatics, in addition to conformational dependence. The improved understanding of these tensors and the ability to measure them quantitatively provide additional opportunities for structure determination, as well as insights into dynamics.     

Spectral and photophysical studies on cruciform oligothiophenes in solution and the solid state

The photophysical and spectroscopic properties of a new class of oligothiophene derivatives, designated as cruciform oligomers, have been investigated in solution (room and low temperature) and in the solid state (as thin films in Zeonex matrixes). The study comprises absorption, emission, and triplet-triplet absorption spectra, together with quantitative measurements of quantum yields (fluorescence, intersystem crossing, internal conversion, and singlet oxygen formation) and lifetimes. The overall data allow the determination of the rate constants for all decay processes. From these, several conclusions are drawn. First, in solution, the main deactivation channels for the compounds are the radiationless processes: S(1) --> S(0) internal conversion and S(1) --> T(1) intersystem crossing. Second, in general, in the solid state, the fluorescence quantum yields decrease relative to solution. A comparison is made with the analogous linear alpha-oligothiophenes, revealing a lower fluorescence quantum efficiency and, in contrast to the normal oligothiophenes, that internal conversion is an important channel for the deactivation of the singlet excited state. Replacement of thiophene by 1,4-phenylene units in the longer-sized cruciform oligomer increases the fluorescence efficiency. The highly efficient generation of singlet oxygen through energy transfer from the triplet state (S(Delta) approximately 1) provides support for the measured intersystem crossing quantum yields and suggests that reaction with this may be an important pathway to consider for degradation of devices produced with these compounds.     

Fluorine-fluorine interactions in the solid state: an experimental and theoretical study

The solid state structures of three compounds that contain a perfluorinated chain, CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CH(CH(3))CO(2)H, CF(3)(CF(2))(5)(CH(2))(4)(CF(2))(5)CF(3) and {CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CH(2)}(3)P═O have been compared and a number of C-F···F-C and C-F···H-C interactions that are closer than the sum of the van der Waals radii have been identified. These interactions have been probed by a comprehensive computational chemistry investigation and the stabilizing energy between dimeric fragments was found to be 0.26-29.64 kcal/mol, depending on the type of interaction. An Atoms-in-Molecules (AIM) study has confirmed that specific C-F···F-C interactions are indeed present, and are not due simply to crystal packing. The weakly stabilizing nature of these interactions has been utilized in the physisorption of a selected number of compounds containing long chain perfluorinated ponytails onto a perfluorinated self-assembled monolayer, which has been characterized by IRRAS (Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy).     

Spectral and photophysical characterization of donor-pi-acceptor arylthienyl- and bithienyl-benzothiazole derivatives in solution and solid state

A comprehensive study has been made in solution at room temperature (293 K), low temperature (77 K), and in thin films (Zeonex matrixes) of the spectral and photophysical properties of six arylthienyl- and bithienyl-benzothiazole derivatives functionalized with different donor groups. Similar experiments have been carried out with two related precursors (containing the arylthienyl and aryl-bithienyl conjugated systems), and results are compared. Singlet-singlet and triplet-triplet absorption spectra, emission spectra together with lifetimes and quantum yields have been obtained, and from these data the rates for all the radiative and nonradiative processes determined, providing information on the dominant decay processes. The arylthienyl-benzothiazole derivatives show high fluorescence quantum yields (phi(F)) with negligible internal conversion (phi(IC)), whereas the bithienyl-benzothiazoles display lower but still significant phi(F) values, but now radiationless processes (phi(IC) and phi(ISC)) are competitive. A comparison with the analogous oligothiophenes is made. Singlet oxygen yields were also determined and the triplet energy transfer to (3)O2 to produce (1)O2 was found to be highly efficient with values of S(Delta)(= phi(Delta)/phi(T)) varying from 0.4 to 1.     

Nicotinamide solvation state in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide

The solvation state of biologically active compound vitamin B₃, viz., 3-pyridinecarboxamide, in an aqueous-dimethyl sulfoxide solvent of a variable composition was studied by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. Below X _DMSO ?0.65 molar fraction, the solvation of the N heteroatom due to hydrogen bonds with water molecules weakens. At X _DMSO > 0.65 molar fraction, almost no changes are observed in the solvate state of the N heteroatom. The ¹H NMR spectra indicate that the degree of conjugation of the carbamide group with the heterocycle increases with an increase in the DMSO concentration. The structures of the dimethyl sulfoxide and mixed aqueous-dimethyl sulfoxide solvates of nicotinamide were optimized by the B3LYP/6311++(DP) method, and their ¹³C chemical shifts (GIAO) and IR spectra were obtained. According to the IR spectroscopic data, the number of hydrogen bonds involving the carbamide group decreases on going from H₂O to DMSO.     

Four-center type photopolymerization in the solid state. VII. Photochemical reaction of m-phenylene diacrylic acid dimethyl ester

The photochemical reaction of m-phenylene diacrylic acid dimethyl ester (m-PDA Me) crystals and solutions has been studied to clarify the effects of the molecular shape on four-center type photopolymerization of diolefins. On irradiation, m-PDA Me crystals were converted into amorphous oligomers having more than two kinds of cyclobutane rings with respect to steric configuration. The characteristic oligomer formation is explained by considering a two-step mechanism: topochemical dimer formation in an ordered crystal lattice and subsequent random cycloaddition in a disordered crystal lattice. In m-PDA Me solution, reversible cyclobutane ring formation and cis–trans isomerization take place, depending on the concentration of m-PDA Me in solution and the wavelength of the irradiating light. The multiplicity of reactivity in various states has been established.     

Solvent free reactions in the solid state: solid state metathesis

Transition Metal Chemistry -     

Electrochemical generation of stable carbocation-tetrafluoroborate salts and the cation-anion interactions in their solid state structures

The electrochemical generation of stable carbocations, among other heterocyclic products, by a unique electrochemical process involving the anodic oxidation of aryl-substituted ketene imines is described. The electrochemical oxidation undergoes an unusual multiannulation process to form these types of products by intermolecular cyclization. The X-ray crystal structures of two carbocation tetrafluoroborate salts,4c and4d, of which the latter is solvated by CH₂Cl₂, are presented. We have observed that one of the B-F bonds in4c is relatively long with respect to the other three similar in length B-F bonds, while in the solvated salt (4d·CH₂Cl₂), one of the B-F bonds is particularly short relative to its congeners. In both cases, the exceptional B-F bonds are oriented toward the positive center of the carbocation. These phenomena are compared with other known X-ray structures of organic tetrafluoroborate salts and discussed.     

Synthesis of dimethyl adipate from cyclopentanone and dimethyl carbonate over solid base catalysts

A facile route for the synthesis of dimethyl adipate (DAP) from cyclopentanone and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in the presence of solid base catalysts has been developed.It was found that the intermediate carbomethoxycyclopentanone (CMCP) was produced from cyclopentanone with DMC in the first step,and then CMCP was further converted to DAP by reacting with a methoxide group.The role of the basic catalysts can be mainly ascribed to the activation of cyclopentanone via the abstraction of a proton in the α-position by base sites,and solid bases with moderate strength,such as MgO,favor the formation of DAP.     

Experimental evidence for the surface change of solid state copper ion-selective electrodes in chloride medium

The surface changes and potentiometric response of three copper ion-selective membranes (CuS precipitate-based, CuS/Ag₂S precipitate based and CuS mineral (covellite)-based) were studied after pretreatment in chloride ion containing solutions. The composition change of the membranes was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A correlation between surface change and response function was proved.     

Intermolecular interactions in solid benzene

The lattice dynamics and molecular vibrations of benzene and deuterated benzene crystals are calculated from force constants derived from density-functional theory (DFT) calculations and compared with measured inelastic neutron-scattering spectra. A very small change (0.5%) in lattice parameter is required to obtain real lattice-mode frequencies across the Brillouin zone. There is a strong coupling between wagging and breathing modes away from the zone center. This coupling and sensitivity to cell size arises from two basic interactions. Firstly, comparatively strong interactions that hold the benzene molecules together in layers. These include an intermolecular interaction in which H atoms of one molecule link to the center of the aromatic ring of a neighboring molecule. The layers are held to each other by weaker interactions, which also have components that hold molecules together within a layer. Small changes in the lattice parameters change this second type of interaction and account for the changes to the lattice dynamics. The calculations also reveal a small auxetic effect in that elongation of the crystal along the b axis leads to an increase in internal pressure in the ac plane, that is, elongation in the b direction induces expansion in the a and c directions.     

Spectral properties of alkenylboranes evidence for conjugative interactions of boron with carbon—carbon π-systems

Ultraviolet, proton magnetic resonance and infrared spectral studies of a number of alkenylboranes are reported. Appreciable conjugation of carbon—carbon π-systems with boron is indicated. Comparisons of the UV and PMR spectra of alkenylboranes with those of their corresponding methyllithium ate complexes are especially informative. A marked solvent effect upon the PMR spectra of lithium ate complexes of alkenylboranes has been observed.     

Effect of remote substituents on solid state packing interactions in macrocyclic crownophanes derived from 1,3,5-triaroylbenzenes

A series of four structurally related crownophanes has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crownophanes are based upon a 1,3,5-triaroylbenzene framework and were synthesized via enaminone/alkyne cyclotrimerization. The crownophanes differ in the identity of a peripheral substituent attached to a remote arene ring that is not part of the cyclophane macrocycle. Solid state structural characterization reveals that crownophanes with remote phenyl and phenol substituents self-assemble to form centrosymmetric dimers. Incorporation of remote alkoxy groups (methoxy or ethoxy) disrupts dimerization and leads to catameric networks. Each crownophane crystallized as an inclusion complex or a hydrate and, in one instance, water was found to occupy the macrocyclic cavity.     

Molecular structures and intramolecular interactions in dimethyl cyclohexane isomers

The geometries of ten isomers of dimethyl cyclohexane were determined by ab initio gradient geometry refinement with the 4-21G basis set. It is found that many intramolecular interactions are clearly manifested by correlated structural trends, and that they are consistent with strain energies calculated by employing previously defined ab initio group equivalents. Specifically, non-bonded interactions are found between two adjacent methyl groups in some of the forms, and between axial methyl groups and adjacent axial C? H bonds in others. Unperturbed axial C? H and C? C bonds are consistently longer than equatorial bonds. In general, C? H bonds which are involved in non-bonded repulsive interactions are shortened, i.e., strengthened, and the corresponding H? C? C angles are large, compared to non-interacting parameters.     

Measuring LCSTs by novel temperature gradient methods: evidence for intermolecular interactions in mixed polymer solutions

Herein we describe studies of molecular interactions in thermoresponsive polymers as they go through phase transitions in aqueous solutions. By using our recently reported linear temperature gradient setup for studying the effects of temperature on chemical processes, we demonstrate the ability to probe lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior with excellent precision. This method also provides a simple and convenient way to assay the LCST of solutions containing more than one polymer and follow the clouding kinetics of polymer mixtures in real time.