4,4′‐Bipyridine as a Unidirectional Switching Unit for a Molecular Pushing Motor

A chirality switch in which the intrinsic chirality of a 4,4′‐bipyridine is combined with a metal‐ion‐induced switching principle is described. In the uncomplexed state the 4,4′‐bipyridine unit, which is linked to an S,S,S,S‐configured cyclic imidazole peptide, is P‐configured. The addition of zinc ions leads to a rotation around the C?C bond axis of the 4,4′‐bipyridine and the M isomer of the metal complex is formed. By addition of a stronger complexing agent the metal ions are removed and the switch returns to its initial position. The combination of the chirality switch with a second switching unit allows the construction of a molecular pushing motor, which is driven chemically and by light.     

Synthesis and characterization of alt‐bipyridinylene‐phenylene copolymers containing ruthenium(II) complexes

Poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3a ), poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3b ), and poly{bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3c ) were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction. The alternating structure of the copolymers was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The polymers showed, by ultraviolet–visible, the π–π* absorption of the polymer backbone (320–380 nm) and at a lower energy attributed to the d–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer absorption (450 nm for linear 3a and 480 nm for angular 3b ). The polymers were characterized by a monomodal molecular weight distribution. The degree of polymerization was approximately 8 for polymer 3b and 28 for polymer 3d . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2911–2919, 2004     

A three‐dimensional homochiral metal–organic framework constructed from manganese(II) with S‐carboxymethyl‐N‐(p‐tosyl)‐l‐cysteine and 4,4′‐bipyridine

In the chiral polymeric title compound, poly[aqua(4,4′‐bipyridine)[μ₃‐S‐carboxylatomethyl‐N‐(p‐tosyl)‐l ‐cysteinato]manganese(II)], [Mn(C₁₂H₁₃NO₆S₂)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)]_n, the Mn^II ion is coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry by one water molecule, three carboxylate O atoms from three S‐carboxyatomethyl‐N‐(p‐tosyl)‐l ‐cysteinate (Ts‐cmc) ligands and two N atoms from two 4,4′‐bipyridine molecules. Each Ts‐cmc ligand behaves as a chiral μ₃‐linker connecting three Mn^II ions. The two‐dimensional frameworks thus formed are further connected by 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands into a three‐dimensional homochiral metal–organic framework. This is a rare case of a homochiral metal–organic framework with a flexible chiral ligand as linker, and this result demonstrates the important role of noncovalent interactions in stabilizing such assemblies.     

Water‐soluble anionic conjugated polymers for metal ion sensing: Effect of interchain aggregation

Three sulfonato‐containing fluorene‐based anionic water‐soluble conjugated polymers, which are specially designed to link fluorene with alternating moieties such as bipyridine ( P1 ), pyridine ( P2 ), and benzene ( P3 ) have been synthesized via the Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira‐coupling reaction, respectively. These polymers had good solubility in water and showed different responses for transition metal ions with different valence in aqueous environments: the fluorescence of bipyridine‐containing P1 can be completely quenched by addition of all transition metal ions selected and showed a good selectivity for Ni²⁺; the pyridine‐containing P2 had a little response for monovalent and divalent metal ions while showed good quenching with the addition of trivalent metal ions (with a special selectivity for Fe³⁺); P3 had responses only for the trivalent metal ions within the ionic concentration we studied. After investigation of the UV‐vis absorption spectra, PL emission spectra, DLS, and fluorescence lifetime of P1 – P3 in aqueous solution when adding transition metal ions, we found that the different spectrum responses of these polymers are attributed to the different coordination ability of the units linked with fluorene in the main chain. The energy or electron‐transfer reactions were the main reason for fluorescence quenching of P1 and P2 . On the other hand, interchain aggregation caused by trivalent metal ions lead to fluorescence quenching for P3 and also caused partly fluorescence quenching of P1 and P2 . These results revealed the origin of ionochromic effects of these polymers and suggested the potential application for these polymers as novel chemosensors with higher sensing sensitivity in aqueous environments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5057–5067, 2009     

μ‐4,4′‐Bipyridine‐κ2N:N′‐bis[triaqua(4,4′‐bipyridine‐κN)cadmium(II)] bis(3‐aminobenzoate) bis(perchlorate) dihydrate: a novel supramolecular system constructed by π–π and hydrogen‐bonding interactions

The title dicadmium compound, [Cd₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₅(H₂O)₆](C₇H₆NO₂)₂(ClO₄)₂·2H₂O, is located around an inversion centre. Each Cd^II centre is coordinated by three N atoms from three different 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands and three O atoms from three coordinating water molecules in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. In the dicadmium cation unit, one 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) molecule acts as a bidentate bridging ligand between two Cd metal ions, while the other four 4,4′‐bipy molecules act only as monodentate terminal ligands, resulting in a rare `H‐type' [Cd₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₅(H₂O)₆] host unit. These host units are connected to each other viaπ–π stacking interactions, giving rise to a three‐dimensional supramolecular grid network with large cavities. The 3‐aminobenzoate anions, perchlorate anions and water molecules are encapsulated in the cavities by numerous hydrogen‐bonding interactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a coordination compound based on both 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands together with discrete 3‐aminobenzoate anions.     

Mass spectrometry of rhenium complexes: a comparative study by using LDI‐MS,MALDI‐MS,PESI‐MS and ESI‐MS

A group of rhenium (I) complexes including in their structure ligands such as CF₃SO₃‐, CH₃CO₂‐, CO, 2,2′‐bipyridine, dipyridil[3,2‐a:2′3′‐c]phenazine, naphthalene‐2‐carboxylate, anthracene‐9‐carboxylate, pyrene‐1‐carboxylate and 1,10‐phenanthroline have been studied for the first time by mass spectrometry. The probe electrospray ionization (PESI) is a technique based on electrospray ionization (ESI) that generates electrospray from the tip of a solid metal needle. In this work, mass spectra for organometallic complexes obtained by PESI were compared with those obtained by classical ESI and high flow rate electrospray ionization assisted by corona discharge (HF‐ESI‐CD), an ideal method to avoid decomposition of the complexes and to induce their oxidation to yield intact molecular cation radicals in gas state [M]^+. and to produce their reduction yielding the gas species [M]^–.. It was found that both techniques showed in general the intact molecular ions of the organometallics studied and provided additional structure characteristic diagnostic fragments. As the rhenium complexes studied in the present work showed strong absorption in the UV–visible region, particularly at 355 nm, laser desorption ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry experiments could be conducted. Although intact molecular ions could be detected in a few cases, LDI mass spectra showed diagnostic fragments for characterization of the complexes structure. Furthermore, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectra were obtained. Nor‐harmane, a compound with basic character, was used as matrix, and the intact molecular ions were detected in two examples, in negative ion mode as the [M]^–. species. Results obtained with 2‐[(2E)‐3‐(4‐tert‐buthylphenyl)‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enylidene] malononitrile (DCTB) as matrix are also described. LDI experiments provided more information about the rhenium complex structures than did the MALDI ones. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electronic Coupling between Two Amine Redox Sites through the 5,5′‐Positions of Metal‐Chelating 2,2′‐Bipyridines

Electron delocalization of new mixed‐valent (MV) systems with the aid of lateral metal chelation is reported. 2,2′‐Bipyridine (bpy) derivatives with one or two appended di‐p‐anisylamino groups on the 5,5′‐positions and a coordinated [Ru(bpy)₂] (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine), [Re(CO)₃Cl], or [Ir(ppy)₂] (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine) component were prepared. The single‐crystal molecular structure of the bis‐amine ligand without metal chelation is presented. The electronic properties of these complexes were studied and compared by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and DFT/TDDFT calculations. Compounds with two di‐p‐anisylamino groups were oxidized by a chemical or electrochemical method and monitored by near‐infrared (NIR) absorption spectral changes. Marcus–Hush analysis of the resulting intervalence charge‐transfer transitions indicated that electron coupling of these mixed‐valent systems is enhanced by metal chelation and that the iridium complex has the largest coupling. TDDFT calculations were employed to interpret the NIR transitions of these MV systems.     

Amphiphilic Schiff Base Organogels: Metal‐Ion‐Mediated Chiral Twists and Chiral Recognition

New amphiphilic gelators that contained both Schiff base and L ‐glutamide moieties, abbreviated as o‐SLG and p‐SLG, were synthesized and their self‐assembly in various organic solvents in the absence and presence of metal ions was investigated. Gelation test revealed that o‐SLG formed a thermotropic gel in many organic solvents, whilst p‐SLG did not. When metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, were added, different behaviors were observed. The addition of Cu²⁺ induced p‐SLG to from an organogel. In the case of o‐SLG, the addition of Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions maintained the gelating ability of the compound, whilst Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions destroyed the gel. In addition, the introduction of Cu²⁺ ions caused the nanofiber gel to perform a chiral twist, whilst the Mg²⁺ ions enhanced the fluorescence of the gel. More interestingly, the Mg²⁺‐ion‐mediated organogel showed differences in the fluorescence quenching by D ‐ and L ‐tartaric acid, thus showing a chiral recognition ability.     

Design of Ratiometric Fluorescent Probes Based on Arene–Metal‐Ion Interactions and Their Application to CdII and Hydrogen Sulfide Imaging in Living Cells

Non‐coordinative interactions between a metal ion and the aromatic ring of a fluorophore can act as a versatile sensing mechanism for the detection of metal ions with a large emission change of fluorophores. We report the design of fluorescent probes based on arene–metal‐ion interactions and their biological applications. This study found that various probes having different fluorophores and metal binding units displayed significant emission redshift upon complexation with metal ions, such as Ag^I, Cd^II, Hg^II, and Pb^II. X‐ray crystallography of the complexes confirmed that the metal ions were held in close proximity to the fluorophore to form an arene–metal‐ion interaction. Electronic structure calculations based on TDDFT offered a theoretical basis for the sensing mechanism, thus showing that metal ions electrostatically modulate the energy levels of the molecular orbitals of the fluorophore. A fluorescent probe was successfully applied to the ratiometric detection of the uptake of Cd^II ions and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in living cells. These results highlight the utility of interactions between arene groups and metal ions in biological analyses.     

catena‐Poly[[[tetra­aqua­zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine] bis­(4‐hydroxy­benzene­sulfonate) trihydrate]

In the title compound, {[Zn(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₄](C₆H₅O₄S)₂·3H₂O}_n, the Zn atom, the bipyridine ligand and one of water mol­ecules are located on twofold rotation axes. The Zn atom is coordinated by four O atoms from four water mol­ecules and two N atoms from two 4,4′‐bipyridine mol­ecules in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The Zn²⁺ ions are linked by the 4,4′‐bipyridine mol­ecules to form a one‐dimensional straight chain propagating along the c axis. The 4‐hydroxy­benzene­sulfonate counter‐ions are bridged by the solvent water mol­ecules through hydrogen bonds to generate a two‐dimensional layer featuring large pores. In the crystal packing, the intra­layer pores form one‐dimensional channels along the c axis, in which the one‐dimensional [Zn(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ chains are encapsulated. Electrostatic inter­actions between cations and anions and extensive hydrogen bonds result in a three‐dimensional supra­molecular structure.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of extruded rods of poly(dimethylsilylene‐co‐methyl‐n‐propylsilylene)

Tractable polysilanes were prepared by the copolymerization of a methyl‐n‐propylsilylene (MP) unit into poly(dimethylsilylene), which neither dissolves in common solvents nor melts before decomposition. Although poly(dimethylsilylene‐co‐methyl‐n‐propylsilylene) has poor solubility in the composition range of the dimethylsilylene (DM) unit to the MP unit (DM/MP = 7/3 ∼ 9/1), the copolymers form the columnar mesophase at elevated temperatures. Highly oriented rods were prepared via the extrusion of the copolymers with a circular tube die in a temperature range in which the transition to the columnar mesophase began to occur (70°C when DM/MP = 7/3 and 8/2 and 120°C when DM/MP = 9/1). The extruded rods were characterized in detail by dynamic viscoelasticity and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) to clarify the structure–mechanical‐property relationship. The orientation functions of the extruded rods were determined by the azimuthal intensity distribution of the WAXD reflection. The orientation function and dynamic storage modulus increased with an increasing extrusion ratio. The dynamic storage modulus at −150°C was 8 ∼ 10 GPa at the highest extrusion ratio and correlated well with the crystal orientation function. The dynamic storage modulus at room temperature was lowered by the structural relaxations at −100 ∼ +30°C, which corresponded to the molecular motion of the rigid molecular chains of the copolymer and the local molecular motion of the MP unit. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 698–706, 2000     

Self‐Assembled Cyclic Structures from Copper(II) Peptoids

Metal–ligand coordination is a key interaction in the self‐assembly of both biopolymers and synthetic oligomers. Although the binding of metal ions to synthetic proteins and peptides is known to yield high‐order structures, the self‐assembly of peptidomimetic molecules upon metal binding is still challenging. Herein we explore the self‐assembly of three peptoid trimers bearing a bipyridine ligand at their C‐terminus, a benzyl group at their N‐terminus, and a polar group (N‐ethyl‐R) in the middle position (R=OH, OCH₃, or NH₂) upon Cu²⁺ coordination. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed unique, highly symmetric, dinuclear cyclic structure or aqua‐bridged dinuclear double‐stranded peptoid helicates, formed by the self‐assembly of two peptoid molecules with two Cu²⁺ ions. Only the macrocycle with the highest number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds is stable in solution, while the other two disassemble to their corresponding monometallic complexes.     

Density Functional Theory Study of Hydrogen Adsorption in a Ti‐Decorated Mg‐Based Metal–Organic Framework‐74

The Ti‐binding energy and hydrogen adsorption energy of a Ti‐decorated Mg‐based metal–organic framework‐74 (Mg‐MOF‐74) were evaluated by using first‐principles calculations. Our results revealed that only three Ti adsorption sites were found to be stable. The adsorption site near the metal oxide unit is the most stable. To investigate the hydrogen‐adsorption properties of Ti‐functionalized Mg‐MOF‐74, the hydrogen‐binding energy was determined. For the most stable Ti adsorption site, we found that the hydrogen adsorption energy ranged from 0.26 to 0.48 eV H₂^?1. This is within the desirable range for practical hydrogen‐storage applications. Moreover, the hydrogen capacity was determined by using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Our results revealed that the hydrogen uptake by Ti‐decorated Mg‐MOF‐74 at temperatures of 77, 150, and 298 K and ambient pressure were 1.81, 1.74, and 1.29 H₂ wt %, respectively.     

Bifunctional RuII‐Complex‐Catalysed Tandem C−C Bond Formation: Efficient and Atom Economical Strategy for the Utilisation of Alcohols as Alkylating Agents

Catalytic activities of a series of functional bipyridine‐based Ru^II complexes in β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols using primary alcohols were investigated. Bifunctional Ru^II complex ( 3 a ) bearing 6,6’‐dihydroxy‐2,2’‐bipyridine (6DHBP) ligand exhibited the highest catalytic activity for this reaction. Using significantly lower catalyst loading (0.1 mol %) dehydrogenative carbon?carbon bond formation between numerous aromatic, aliphatic and heteroatom substituted alcohols were achieved with high selectivity. Notably, for the synthesis of β‐alkylated secondary alcohols this protocol is a rare one‐pot strategy using a metal–ligand cooperative Ru^II system. Remarkably, complex 3 a demonstrated the highest reactivity compared to all the reported transition metal complexes in this reaction.     

Two New Trinuclear MII (M = Mn,Co) Complexes Based on 2,4‐Dichlorobenzoic Acid: Synthesis,Structures and Magnetic Properties

Two new isostructural complexes, [Mn₃(L)₆(bipy)₂] ( 1 ) and [Co₃(L)₆(bipy)₂] ( 2 ) (L = 2,4‐dichlorobenzoate, bipy = 2, 2′‐bipyridine) were synthesized under the hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, EA (elemental analysis), and magnetic measurements. The two complexes are found to contain a trinuclear (M₃) unit that opens up a possibility of being magnetic materials. The magnetic measurements reveal that 1 exhibits the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between metal ions and 2 presents a weak ferromagnetic interactions between the Co^II ions.     

A threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional zinc(II) supramolecular architecture based on 3‐nitrobenzoic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine

With regard to crystal engineering, building block or modular assembly methodologies have shown great success in the design and construction of metal–organic coordination polymers. The critical factor for the construction of coordination polymers is the rational choice of the organic building blocks and the metal centre. The reaction of Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O (OAc is acetate) with 3‐nitrobenzoic acid (HNBA) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) under hydrothermal conditions produced a two‐dimensional zinc(II) supramolecular architecture, catena‐poly[[bis(3‐nitrobenzoato‐κ²O,O′)zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Zn(C₇H₄NO₄)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n or [Zn(NBA)₂(4,4′‐bipy)]_n, which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The Zn^II ions are connected by the 4,4′‐bipy ligands to form a one‐dimensional zigzag chain and the chains are decorated with anionic NBA ligands which interact further through aromatic π–π stacking interactions, expanding the structure into a threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The solid‐state fluorescence analysis indicates a slight blue shift compared with pure 4,4′‐bipyridine and HNBA.     

A Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Oxazine Molecular Switch: A Strategy for the Design of Electrochromic Materials

A multi‐state and multi‐stimuli‐responsive oxazine molecular switch that combines an electro‐base property and sensitive base/acid‐responsive properties was designed and synthesized. The multi‐state structures of the molecular switch, with different colors, were predicted by comparing the optical properties with reference molecules and confirmed by using NMR spectroscopy. The color‐switching mechanism under stimulation with acids and bases was investigated by using DFT calculations. Three single states can be obtained and the switching is unidirectional under acid and base stimulation. The electrochromic phenomenon of the molecular switch, which combines its electro‐base and base‐sensitive properties, was demonstrated. An electrochromic device that exhibited good electrochromic properties with excellent reversibility (2000 cycles) and high coloration efficiency (804 cm² C^?1) was successfully constructed.     

Solvent‐ and Light‐Controlled Unidirectional Transit of a Nonsymmetric Molecular Axle Through a Nonsymmetric Molecular Wheel

The development of a pseudorotaxane motif capable of performing unidirectional threading and dethreading processes under control of external stimuli is particularly important for the construction of processive linear motors based on rotaxanes and, at least in principle, it discloses the possibility to access to rotary motors based on catenanes. Here, we report a strategy to obtain the solvent‐controlled unidirectional transit of a molecular axle through a molecular wheel. It is based on the use of appropriately designed molecular components, the essential feature of which is their non‐symmetric structure. Specifically they are an axle containing a central electron‐acceptor 4,4′‐bipyridinium core functionalized with a hexanol chain at one side, and a stilbene unit connected through a C6 chain at the other side, and a heteroditopic tris(phenylureido)‐calix[6]arene wheel. In apolar solvents the axle threads into the wheel from its upper rim and with the end carrying the OH group, giving an oriented pseudorotaxane structure. After a stoppering reaction, which replaces the small hydroxy group with a bulky diphenylacetyl moiety, and replacement of the apolar solvent with a polar one, dethreading occurs through the slippage of the stilbene unit from the lower rim of the wheel, that is, in the same direction of the threading process. The essential role played by the stilbene unit to achieve the unidirectional transit of the axle through the wheel, and to tune the dethreading rate by light is also demonstrated.     

Contractile and Extensible Molecular Figures‐of‐Eight

Two large rings, 66‐ (m‐66 ) and 78‐membered ( m‐78 ) rings, each one incorporating two pairs of transition‐metal‐complexing units, have been prepared. The coordinating fragments are alternating bi‐ and tridentate chelating groups, namely, 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dpp) and 2,2′,2′,6′′‐terpyridine (terpy) respectively. Both macrocycles form molecular figures‐of‐eight in the presence of Fe^II, affording a classical bis‐terpy complex as the central core. The larger m‐78 ring can accommodate a four‐coordinate Cu^I center with the formation of a {Cu(dpp)₂}⁺ central complex and a highly twisted figure‐of‐eight backbone, whereas m‐66 is too small to coordinate Cu^I. Macrocycle m‐78 thus affords stable complexes with both Fe^II and Cu^I; the ligand around the metal changes from (terpy)₂ to (dpp)₂. This bimodal coordination situation allows for a large amplitude rearrangement of the organic backbone. When coordinated to preferentially octahedrally coordinated Fe^II or Cu^II, the height of the molecule along the coordinating axis of the tridentate terpy ligands is only about 11 Å, whereas the height of the molecule along the same vertical axis is several times as large for the tetrahedral Cu^I complex. Chemically or electrochemically driven contraction and extension motions along a defined axis make this figure‐of‐eight particularly promising as a new class of molecular machine prototype for use as a constitutive element in muscle‐like dynamic systems.     

Metal‐Xenon Complexes

Long after the first isolation of a xenon compound in 1962 the first compounds with metal‐xenon bonds are prepared. The metal atoms are so far Au and Hg. The most stable metal xenon compounds decompose under loss of xenon slightly above room temperature. They can only exist if solvents and counter ions are weaker bases than atomic xenon. Solvents and counter ions used so far are HF, (SbF₆)^—, and (Sb₂F₁₁)^—.