Hydrogen‐bonding versusπ–π stacking interactions in dipyrido[f,h]quinoxaline‐6,7‐dicarbonitrile and 6,7‐dicyanodipyrido[f,h]quinoxalin‐1‐ium chloride dihydrate

The solvent‐free title compound, C₁₆H₆N₆, is an aromatic derivative of phenanthroline with an extended π system. It exhibits a remarkable π–π columnar stacking in the crystal structure, with interplanar distances of 3.229 (3) and 3.380 (3) Å, the shorter spacing being between the two molecules within the asymmetric unit. Adjacent units along the stacked arrays are rotated in‐plane with respect to one another by approximately 120°. The hydrochloride derivative, C₁₆H₇N₆⁺·Cl⁻·2H₂O, in which one of the phenanthroline N atoms has been protonated, crystallized as a dihydrate. The supramolecular organization in this compound is characterized by continuous hydrogen bonding between the component species, yielding two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded networks. This study demonstrates the high significance of the π–π stacking interactions in the solvent‐free aromatic system and how they can be undermined by introducing hydrogen‐bonding capacity into the ligand.     

Supramolecular interaction patterns in the zinc(II) dichloride and tin(IV) tetrachloride complexes with dipyrido[f,h]quinoxaline‐6,7‐dicarbonitrile

This study characterizes the supramolecular synthons that dominate the intermolecular organization of the title compounds, namely dichloridobis(dipyrido[f,h]quinoxaline‐6,7‐dicarbonitrile)zinc(II), [ZnCl₂(C₁₆H₆N₆)₂], (I), and tetrachlorido(dipyrido[f,h]quinoxaline‐6,7‐dicarbonitrile)tin(IV), [SnCl₄(C₁₆H₆N₆)], (II), in their respective crystal structures. Molecules of (I) are located on 2^b axes of rotational symmetry. Their crystal packing is stabilized mostly by π–π stacking and dipole–dipole attractions between the organic ligand fragments of inversion‐related neighbouring species, as well as by weak intermolecular C—H...N hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, Cl...π and N...π interactions seem to direct the crystal packing in (II), which is unusual in the sense that its aromatic fragments are not involved in π–π stacking. Molecules of (II) are located on m^b planes of mirror symmetry. This study confirms the diverse structural chemistry of this organic ligand, which can be involved in a wide range of supramolecular interactions. These include effective coordination to various metal ions via the phenathroline N‐atom sites, π–π stacking and π...halogen contacts through its extended π‐system, and hydrogen bonding and N...π interactions through its nitrile groups. The competing natures of the latter make it difficult to predict a priori the preferred supramolecular motif that may form in a given structure.     

Donor–acceptor‐integrated conjugated polymers based on carbazole[3,4‐c:5,6‐c]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole with tight π–π stacking for photovoltaics

An original strategy to construct a new donor–acceptor (D–A)‐integrated structure by directly imposing “pull” unit on the “push” moiety to form fused ring architecture has been developed, and poly{N‐alkyl‐carbazole[3,4‐c:5,6‐c]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole‐alt‐thiophene} (PCBTT) with D–A‐integrated structure, in which two 1,2,5‐thiadiazole rings are fixed on carbazole in 3‐, 4‐ and 5‐, 6‐position symmetrically and thiophene is used as bridge, has been synthesized. The interaction between pull and push units has fine tuned the HOMO/LUMO energy levels, and the resulting copolymer covers the solar flux from 300 to 750 nm. The interaction between pull and push units is worth noting that due to the fused five rings inducing strong intermolecular interaction, an extremely short π–π stacking distance of 0.32 nm has been achieved for PCBTT both in powder and solid states. This is the shortest π–π stacking distance reported for conjugated polymers. Additionally, an obvious intramolecular charge transfer and energy transfer from donor units to acceptor units have been detected in this D–A integration. A moderate‐to‐high open‐circuit voltage of ～0.7 V in PCBTT:[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) (w/w = 1/2) solar cells is achieved due to the low‐lying HOMO energy level of PCBTT. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Substituted 4‐alkoxy‐7‐Cl‐quinolines exhibiting π–π stacking

The molecules of 4‐allyloxy‐7‐chloroquinoline, C₁₂H₁₀ClNO, (I), 7‐chloro‐4‐methoxyquinoline, C₁₀H₈ClNO, (II), and 7‐chloro‐4‐ethoxyquinoline, C₁₁H₁₀ClNO, (III), are all planar. In all three structures, π–π interactions between the quinoline ring systems are generated by unit‐cell translations along the a axes, irrespective of space group. These structures are the first reported for 4‐alkoxyquinolines.     

A new methanol solvate and Hirshfeld analysis of π‐stacking in 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene solvates

The structure of 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene (hhtp) methanol monosolvate, C₁₈H₁₂O₆·CH₃OH, has triclinic symmetry (space group P). The compound has a three‐dimensional layered network structure formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Structure analysis with Hirshfeld surfaces is shown to be a sensitive method for comparing π‐stacking effects in the five known solvates of hhtp. The title structure shows slightly weaker π‐stacking than the dihydrate, but stronger π‐stacking than the other three solvates.     

The synthesis of novel polycyclic heterocyclic ring systems via photocyclization. 22 Dibenzo[f,h]benzothieno[2,3‐c]quinoline,dibenzo[f,h]benzothieno[2,3‐c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoline and dibenzo[f,h]naphtho[2′,1′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐c]quinoline

Photocyclization of 3‐chloro‐N‐(9‐phenanthryl)benzo[b]‐thiophene‐2‐carboxamide ( 3 ) and 3‐chloro‐N‐(9‐phenanthryl)‐naphtho[1,2‐b]thiophene‐2‐carboxamide ( 10 ) yielded dibenzo[f,h]benzothieno[2,3‐c]‐quinolin‐10(9H)‐one ( 4 ) and dibenzo[f,h]naphtho[2′,1′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐c]quinolin‐10(9H)‐one ( 11 ), respectively. Further elaboration of the lactams provided three novel unsubstituted new ring systems.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking in 6‐hydroxy­biochanin A monohydrate

In the lattice of the title compound (systematic name: 5,6,7‐trihydroxy‐4′‐meth­oxy­isoflavone monohydrate), C₁₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O, the isoflavone mol­ecules are linked into chains through R₄³(17) motifs composed via O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Centrosymmetric R₄²(14) motifs assemble the chains into sheets. Hydrogen‐bonding and aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions lead to the formation of a three‐dimensional network structure.     

2,5‐Dimethyl‐6,7‐dihydrobenzo[h]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline and 2‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methyl‐6,7‐dihydrobenzo[h]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline

In both 2,5‐dimethyl‐6,7‐dihydrobenzo[h]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline, C₁₆H₁₅N₃, (I), and 2‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methyl‐6,7‐dihydrobenzo[h]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline, C₁₉H₂₁N₃, (II), which crystallizes with Z′ = 2 in the space group P, the non‐aromatic carbocyclic rings adopt screw‐boat conformations. The molecules of (I) are linked into chains of rings by a combination of C—H...N and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds, while in (II) there are no hydrogen bonds of any kind.     

Pyridine–pyridine π–π stacking interactions in penta­carbonyl­[pyridine‐4(1H)‐thione]­tungsten(0)

In the title compound, [W(C₅H₅NS)(CO)₅], the pyridine‐4‐thiol ligand coordinates through the sulfur in the thione mode. The coordination sphere around the W atom is distorted from octahedral geometry by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and steric interactions between the pyridine ring and two CO ligands. An intermolecular pyridine–pyridine ring distance of 3.47 (1) Å indicates π–π stacking interactions between these ligand units.     

Controllable assembly of a three‐dimensional metal–organic supramolecular framework including π–π stacking interactions

The mixed‐ligand metal–organic complex poly[(μ₃‐phthalato)[μ₂‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐ido]dicopper(II)], [Cu₂(C₈H₄O₄)(C₈H₆N₃)₂]_n, has been synthesized by the reaction of copper(II) acetate with 2‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine (HL) and phthalic acid. The binuclear chelating–bridging L units are further linked by bridging phthalate ligands into a two‐dimensional network parallel to the (010) plane. The two‐dimensional networks are extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture viaπ–π stacking interactions.     

A novel two‐dimensional metal–organic supramolecular framework including π–π stacking and hydrogen‐bond interactions

[μ‐N,N′‐Bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxamide‐<!?show [forcelb]><!?tlsb=0.12pt>1:2κ²N:N′]bis{[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxamide‐κN]diiodidomercury(II)}, [Hg₂I₄(C₁₈H₁₄N₄O₂)₃], is an S‐shaped dinuclear molecule, composed of two HgI₂ units and three N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxamide (L) ligands. The central L ligand is centrosymmetric and coordinated to two Hg^II cations via two pyridine N atoms, in a syn–syn conformation. The two terminal L ligands are monodentate, with one uncoordinated pyridine N atom, and each adopts a syn–anti conformation. The HgI₂ units show highly distorted tetrahedral (sawhorse) geometry, as the Hg^II centres lie only 0.34 (2) or 0.32 (2) Å from the planes defined by the I and pyridine N atoms. Supramolecular interactions, thermal stability and solid‐state luminescence properties were also measured.     

Hydro­gen bonding and π–π stacking in di­methyl­genistein

The title compound, 5‐hydroxy‐4′,7‐di­methoxy­isoflavone, C₁₇H₁₄O₅, is composed of a benzo­pyran­one moiety, a phenyl moiety and two methoxy groups. The benzo­pyran­one ring is not coplanar with the phenyl ring, the dihedral angle between them being 56.28 (3)°. The two methoxy groups are nearly coplanar with their corresponding rings, having C—C—O—C torsion angles of 2.9 (2) and 5.9 (2)°. The mol­ecules are linked by C—H·O hydrogen bonds into sheets containing classical centrosymmetric (8) rings. The sheets are further linked by aromatic π–π stacking interactions and C—H·O hydrogen bonds into a supramolecular structure.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new benzo[f]furo[2,3‐h]‐and benzo[f]pyrano[2,3‐h]coumarin derivatives.

Furocoumarins 3,5 and pyranocoumarin 7 were synthesized from the reaction of furonaphthalenediones 2,4 and pyranonaphthalenedione 6 respectively with carbethoxymethylene(triphenyl)phosphorane in refluxing DCM for 3‐6 hours or under microwave irradiation in toluene for a few minutes. Compounds 3,5,7 and their precursors were tested as anti‐inflammatory/antioxidant agents. They were found to compete significantly high DMSO for OH radicals, to scavenge O₂^? and to inhibit lipoxygenase to a high extent.     

Br...O contacts and π–π stacking dominate the packing in methyl 4‐bromo‐3,5‐dimethoxybenzoate

The title compound, C₁₀H₁₁BrO₄, a useful precursor to pharmaceutically active isocoumarin and isochroman derivatives, crystallizes with two unique molecules in the asymmetric unit. A π–π stacking interaction links the planar molecules in the asymmetric unit. Additional π–π contacts stack pairs of molecules along the c axis. A feature of the crystal packing is the presence of a number of short Br...O contacts. A particularly unusual arrangement involves the formation of dimers, with pairs of Br...O contacts imposing a close Br...Br interaction and generating five‐membered rings within an eight‐membered ring formed by two Br...O contacts. Only two comparable arrangements have been reported previously. The Br...O contacts combine with weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form corrugated sheets of molecules approximately parallel to (001). These sheets are stacked along the c axis by π–π interactions to generate a three‐dimensional network.     

2‐tert‐Butyl‐5‐methyl‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐cyclopenta[e]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine: molecular stacks built from C—H...π(pyrazole) hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₉N₃, the bond distances within the heterocyclic portion of the molecule indicate incomplete π delocalization. The molecules are linked into stacks by a combination of two C—H...π(pyrazole) hydrogen bonds and two independent π–π stacking interactions between inversion‐related pyrimidine rings. The significance of this study lies in its observation of significant differences in both molecular conformation and supramolecular aggregation between the title compound, an example of a 2‐alkylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, and some analogous 2‐arylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines.     

Construction of π‐Surface‐Metalated Pillar[5]arenes which Bind Anions via Anion–π Interactions

By simple ligand exchange of the cationic transition‐metal complexes [(Cp*)M(acetone)₃](OTf)₂ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and M=Ir or Rh) with pillar[5]arene, mono‐ and polynuclear pillar[5]arenes, a new class of metalated host molecules, is prepared. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis shows that the charged transition‐metal cations are directly bound to the outer π‐surface of aromatic rings of pillar[5]arene. One of the triflate anions is deeply embedded within the cavity of the trinuclear pillar[5]arenes, which is different to the host–guest behavior of most pillar[5]arenes. DFT calculation of the electrostatic potential revealed that the metalated pillar[5]arenes featured an electron‐deficient cavity due to the presence of the electron‐withdrawing transition metals, thus allowing encapsulation of electron‐rich guests mainly driven by anion–π interactions.     

Controllable assembly of a three‐dimensional metal–organic supramolecular framework displaying hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions

The complex poly[[aqua(μ₂‐phthalato‐κ²O¹:O²){μ₃‐2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetato‐κ⁴N²,N³:O:O′}{μ₂‐2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetato‐κ³N²,N³:O}dizinc(II)] dihydrate], {[Zn₂(C₁₀H₈N₃O₂)₂(C₈H₄O₄)(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n, has been prepared by solvothermal reaction of 2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetonitrile (PPAN) with zinc(II). Under hydrothermal conditions, PPAN is hydrolyzed to 2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetate (PPAA⁻). The structure determination reveals that the complex is a one‐dimensional double chain containing cationic [Zn₄(PPAA)₄]⁴⁺ structural units, which are further extended by bridging phthalate ligands. The one‐dimensional chains are extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions.     

C—H⋯π and π–π interactions in the supramolecular structure of 3‐methyl‐1,4‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine

The supramolecular structure of the title compound, C₁₉H₁₅N₃, is defined by π–π‐stacking and C—H?π interactions. There are no conventional hydrogen bonds in the structure.     

π–π stacking motifs in dialkylbis{5‐[(E)‐2‐aryldiazen‐1‐yl]‐2‐hydroxybenzoato}tin(IV) complexes

The diorganotin(IV) complexes of 5‐[(E)‐2‐aryldiazen‐1‐yl]‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid are of interest because of their structural diversity in the crystalline state and their interesting biological activity. The structures of dimethylbis{2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)diazen‐1‐yl]benzoato}tin(IV), [Sn(CH₃)₂(C₁₄H₁₁N₂O₃)₂], and di‐n‐butylbis{2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)diazen‐1‐yl]benzoato}tin(IV) benzene hemisolvate, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₁₄H₁₁N₂O₃)₂]·0.5C₆H₆, exhibit the usual skew‐trapezoidal bipyramidal coordination geometry observed for related complexes of this class. Each structure has two independent molecules of the Sn^IV complex in the asymmetric unit. In the dimethyltin structure, intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds and a very weak Sn…O interaction link the independent molecules into dimers. The planar carboxylate ligands lend themselves to π–π stacking interactions and the diversity of supramolecular structural motifs formed by these interactions has been examined in detail for these two structures and four closely related analogues. While there are some recurring basic motifs amongst the observed stacking arrangements, such as dimers and step‐like chains, variations through longitudinal slipping and inversion of the direction of the overlay add complexity. The π–π stacking motifs in the two title complexes are combinations of some of those observed in the other structures and are the most complex of the structures examined.