Cover Picture: Photo‐Induced Spin Transition of Iron(III) Compounds with π–π Intermolecular Interactions (Chem. Eur. J. 14/2009)

Introduction of strong intermolecular interactions leads to the observation of the LIESST effect even for iron(III) spin‐crossover (SCO) compounds. For LIESST iron(III) compounds, both stretching and bending modes are considered in the reaction coordinate diagram. The picture depicts the LIESST mechanism in the reaction coordinate diagram considering both stretching and bending modes for SCO iron(III) compounds. For more information see the Full Paper by S. Hayami, O. Sato et al. on page 3497 ff.

     

High‐spin behavior of molecular crystals and extended π systems

The qualitative rules for the existence of high‐spin ground states in extended systems and molecular crystals are examined here on a firmer theoretical footing. Extended systems have been categorized into three groups, namely, type I, type II, and type III, depending on the type of bonding interactions. The general form of the spin Hamiltonian operators have been written down. The active spaces have been restricted to the minimum size for each of these three types of spin systems. The zeroth‐order state vectors and the Hartree–Fock ground‐state energies have been identified for unit species of each type. The extended system Hamiltonian operators are further truncated in such a way that only the nearest‐neighbor interactions are retained. Expressions have been derived for the energy gap from a molecular orbital approach. The relatively small effects of electron correlation on the energy gaps have been estimated for the type I systems, which belong to the systems of solid‐state physics. In particular, it has been shown that for the type I systems the singlet–triplet gap, and hence the ferromagnetic coupling constant, primarily depends upon the difference of one‐electron kinetic energies and not on the two‐electron exchange integrals. This result agrees with the concept of kinetic exchange that was introduced in the context of a resonating valence‐bond formalism. Type II systems are exemplified by extended systems that can be prepared from conjugated molecules while organic molecular crystals form examples of type III species. For these systems, however, the Coulomb exchange interaction has been shown to dominate the energy gap. A quick review of the Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian for the H₂ molecule is sufficient to point out that the sign of the calculated ferromagnetic coupling constant depends on the method of calculation, the nature of the basis set, and the bond length. This is amply supported by ab initio calculations on this species. Numerical data have also been obtained from computations on m‐phenylene‐coupled nitroxy radicals and stacks of α‐nitronyl nitroxide, but these calculations have been based on a semiempirical quantum chemical methodology (INDO) since some of the species involved are exceedingly large. Computed energy gaps are in good agreement with experimental and other theoretical (AM1, PM3) results. Nevertheless, for the dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer of the type II specimen, the important π orbitals are far from being degenerate. The quantitative results clearly deviate from the criterion of degeneracy that was suggested from qualitative theories for the existence of a high‐spin ground state. Therefore, the criteria for the existence of high spins have been reformulated in terms of the monomer orbitals. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 79: 308–324, 2000     

Structure determination of three furan‐substituted benzimidazoles and calculation of π–π and C—H...π interaction energies

The synthesis and structural characterization of 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₂, (I)], 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium chloride monohydrate [C₁₆H₁₃N₂O₂⁺·Cl⁻·H₂O, (II)] and the hydrobromide salt 5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium bromide [C₁₈H₁₇N₂O₂⁺·Br⁻, (III)] are described. Benzimidazole (I) displays two sets of aromatic interactions, each of which involves pairs of molecules in a head‐to‐tail arrangement. The first, denoted set (Ia), exhibits both intermolecular C—H...π interactions between the 2‐(furan‐2‐yl) (abbreviated as Fn) and 1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl) (abbreviated as MeFn) substituents, and π–π interactions involving the Fn substituents between inversion‐center‐related molecules. The second, denoted set (Ib), involves π–π interactions involving both the benzene ring (Bz) and the imidazole ring (Im) of benzimidazole. Hydrated salt (II) exhibits N—H...OH₂...Cl hydrogen bonding that results in chains of molecules parallel to the a axis. There is also a head‐to‐head aromatic stacking of the protonated benzimidazole cations in which the Bz and Im rings of one molecule interact with the Im and Fn rings of adjacent molecules in the chain. Salt (III) displays N—H...Br hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions involving inversion‐center‐related benzimidazole rings in a head‐to‐tail arrangement. In all of the π–π interactions observed, the interacting moieties are shifted with respect to each other along the major molecular axis. Basis set superposition energy‐corrected (counterpoise method) interaction energies were calculated for each interaction [DFT, M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d)] employing atomic coordinates obtained in the crystallographic analyses for heavy atoms and optimized H‐atom coordinates. The calculated interaction energies are −43.0, −39.8, −48.5, and −55.0 kJ mol⁻¹ for (Ia), (Ib), (II), and (III), respectively. For (Ia), the analysis was used to partition the interaction energies into the C—H...π and π–π components, which are 9.4 and 24.1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Energy‐minimized structures were used to determine the optimal interplanar spacing, the slip distance along the major molecular axis, and the slip distance along the minor molecular axis for 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole.     

The valence bond calculations for conjugated hydrocarbons having 24–28 π‐electrons

A novel algorithm is introduced for coding all Slater determinants in the covalent space with conserved S_Z, the z component of total spin S for a classical valence bond (VB) model. It effectively minimizes the search time and the storing space in the central memory of the computer. In cooperation with symmetry reductions based on molecular point group and spin inversion, the VB calculations have been extended to benzenoid hydrocarbons of up to 28 π‐electrons that have 4×10⁷ configurations. The low‐lying states of benzenoids with 24, 26, and 28 π‐electrons have been obtained for 62 species. To rationalize the aromaticity of benzenoids in a VB scheme, the resonance energy per hexagon (REPH) is defined. A linear correlation between the REPH and the energy gap of the ground (singlet) state and the first excited (triplet) state for 89 benzenoids is established. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 856–869, 2000     

π‐Extended Indenofluorenes

A series of π‐extended aromatic indenofluorene (IF) analogues with naphthalene and anthracene cores have been synthesized through acid‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization. The regioselectivity of the reaction is controlled by a combination of steric and electronic factors and in some cases several possible regioisomers have resulted from the same precursor. The effects of ring connectivity on the optoelectronic properties were investigated by DFT calculations, absorption/emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and spectroelectrochemical studies. All regioisomers exhibited a redshift of their absorption/emission bands relative to the parent IF analogues, but the magnitude of this shift and other optoelectronic properties (luminescence quantum yield, etc.) depends on the ring connectivity in a less obvious manner.     

The Bright Future of Unconventional σ/π‐Hole Interactions

Non‐covalent interactions play a crucial role in (supramolecular) chemistry and much of biology. Supramolecular forces can indeed determine the structure and function of a host–guest system. Many sensors, for example, rely on reversible bonding with the analyte. Natural machineries also often have a significant non‐covalent component (e.g. protein folding, recognition) and rational interference in such ‘living’ devices can have pharmacological implications. For the rational design/tweaking of supramolecular systems it is helpful to know what supramolecular synthons are available and to understand the forces that make these synthons stick to one another. In this review we focus on σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions. A σ‐ or π‐hole can be seen as positive electrostatic potential on unpopulated σ* or π⁽*⁾ orbitals, which are thus capable of interacting with some electron dense region. A σ‐hole is typically located along the vector of a covalent bond such as X?H or X?Hlg (X=any atom, Hlg=halogen), which are respectively known as hydrogen and halogen bond donors. Only recently it has become clear that σ‐holes can also be found along a covalent bond with chalcogen (X?Ch), pnictogen (X?Pn) and tetrel (X?Tr) atoms. Interactions with these synthons are named chalcogen, pnigtogen and tetrel interactions. A π‐hole is typically located perpendicular to the molecular framework of diatomic π‐systems such as carbonyls, or conjugated π‐systems such as hexafluorobenzene. Anion–π and lone‐pair–π interactions are examples of named π‐hole interactions between conjugated π‐systems and anions or lone‐pair electrons respectively. While the above nomenclature indicates the distinct chemical identity of the supramolecular synthon acting as Lewis acid, it is worth stressing that the underlying physics is very similar. This implies that interactions that are now not so well‐established might turn out to be equally useful as conventional hydrogen and halogen bonds. In summary, we describe the physical nature of σ‐ and π‐hole interactions, present a selection of inquiries that utilise σ‐ and π‐holes, and give an overview of analyses of structural databases (CSD/PDB) that demonstrate how prevalent these interactions already are in solid‐state structures.     

Manganese(IV) Corroles with σ‐Aryl Ligands

Different pathways for the preparation of organometallic manganese(IV) corroles with σ‐aryl ligands have been evaluated. The treatment of a manganese(III) corrole with Grignard reagents PhMgX (X = Cl, Br), followed by aerial oxidation yields oxidized halogenido complexes [(cor)Mn^IVX] instead of the anticipated organometallic compounds. Reaction of these halogenido species, especially the bromido compound, with excess Grignard reagents or with lithium aryls results in the formation of the desired σ‐aryl compounds via salt metatheses. Three examples of this class of rare complexes have been characterized by means of optical and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and in two cases single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies have been carried out. In the crystal, the molecular structures of the σ‐phenyl‐ and the σ‐(p‐bromophenyl) derivatives were observed to be very similar, albeit both species pack in different pattern.     

Phenylcarbamoylated β‐CD: π‐Acidic and π‐basic chiral selectors for HPLC

Two types of chiral stationary phases for HPLC based on π‐acidic or π‐basic perphenylcarbamoylated β‐CDs were synthesized. The relative structural features of the two effective chiral selectors are discussed and compared in both normal‐phase and RP modes. In addition, the nature and concentration of alcoholic modifiers were varied for optimal separation in normal phase and the structural variation of the analytes was also examined. The results showed that hydrogen bonding, steric effect and π‐acidic–π‐basic interaction contributed greatly to enantioseparation. Upon comparison, some of the differences in the separation behavior of the two types of chiral stationary phases might be due to the π‐acidic or π‐basic phenylcarbamate groups.     

A Novel Type of Vesicles Based on Ionic and π–π Interactions

Electrostatic self‐assembly can be used to form supramolecular vesicles in aqueous solution. Vesicles consist of cationic G8 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and the trivalent sulfonate dye Ar27. No classical amphiphiles are present but the interplay of electrostatics, π–π interaction and geometric factors influences the structure formation. Labeled guest molecules, both small molecules and peptides, can be included inside these vesicles and vesicles imaged by fluorescence techniques. The structure was studied by dynamic and static light scattering, small‐angle neutron scattering, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The study indicates the prospect of constructing functional nanoobjects by the self‐assembly of charged molecules in aqueous solution.

     

Nachweis von π → σ-Umlagerungen bei Ligandenverdrängungsreaktionen von π-Allyl-π-cyclopentadienyl-Palladiumkomplexen

It has been proved by NMR. measurements at low temperatures that the ligand displacement reactions of (π-all)Pd(π-C₅H₅) and Lewis bases L yielding PdL₄ proceed by a π → σ rearrangement of the allylic group as the primary step. The organic reaction product is the 1-isomer of the corresponding allylcyclopentadiene but in the reactions of (π-1,1,2-Me₃C₃H₂)Pd(π-C₅H₅) with L besides the isomeric allylcyclopentadienes also 2,3-dimethylbutadiene and cyclopentadiene are formed. The reaction mechanism will be discussed.     

Comparative studies on group III σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions

The σ‐hole of M₂H₆ (M = Al, Ga, In) and π‐hole of MH₃ (M = Al, Ga, In) were discovered and analyzed, the bimolecular complexes M₂H₆···NH₃ and MH₃···N₂P₂F₄ (M = Al, Ga, In) were constructed to carry out comparative studies on the group III σ‐hole interactions and π‐hole interactions. The two types of interactions are all partial‐covalent interactions; the π‐hole interactions are stronger than σ‐hole interactions. The electrostatic energy is the largest contribution for forming the σ‐hole and π‐hole interaction, the polarization energy is also an important factor to form the M···N interaction. The electrostatic energy contributions to the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those of the π‐hole interactions. However, the polarization contributions for the π‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those for the σ‐hole interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Delocalization of the unpaired spin density in some niobocene complexes with σ-donor, π-acceptors

Extended Hückel calculations and qualitative MO have been used to analyze the EPR data relevant to the localization of the unpaired spin density in several paramagnetic niobocene complexes with σ-donor π-acceptors, acetylene, aldehyde, ketene, ketenimine, and carbon disulfide.     

Oligomeric Tectonics: Supramolecular Assembly of Double‐Stranded Oligobisnorbornene through π–π Stacking

Self‐assembly at the molecular level in solutions or on a surface is a subject of current interest. Herein we describe the tailoring of oligobisnorbornene 1 , which represents an innovative concept of a preorganized building block on the tens of nanometer scale. The rodlike 1 has vinyl and styrenyl end groups. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals that the oligomers aggregate anisotropically along the long axis and form a one‐dimensional assembly in which, remarkably, no interstitial gap appears between neighboring oligomers. Dynamic light‐scattering (DLS) measurements indicate that the assembly develops in solution. With a shear treatment for dropcast films, a unidirectionally ordered domain with a defect density less than 0.5 % can be prepared. Simulation results by molecular dynamics suggest that there may be multiple interactions such as π–π stacking and dipolar attractions taking place between the termini of the oligomers. To demonstrate the importance of double bonds in the oligomeric backbones and termini towards the tectonic assembly, a hydrogenated analogue was synthesized; π–π interactions are thus less significant and the film morphology is completely different from that of 1 . This work extends the concept of molecular tectonics to preorganized oligomers and opens up a new avenue of nanopatterning toward nanodevices.