σ–π Continuum in Indole–Palladium(II) Complexes

The intrinsic features of (hetero‐arene)–metal interactions have been elusive mainly because the systematic structure analysis of non‐anchored hetero‐arene–metal complexes has been hampered by their labile nature. We report successful isolation and systematic structure analysis of a series of non‐anchored indole–palladium(II) complexes. It was revealed that there is a σ–π continuum for the indole–metal interaction, while it has been thought that the dominant coordination mode of indole to a metal center is the Wheland‐intermediate‐type σ‐mode in light of the seemingly strong electron‐donating ability of indole. Several factors which affect the σ‐ or π‐character of indole–metal interactions are discussed.     

Tridentate chelate π-bonded complexes of rhodium(I), iridium(I), and iridium(III) and chelate σ-bonded complexes of nickel(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II) formed by intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions

2,2′-Bis(o-diphenylphosphino)bibenzyl, o-Ph₂PC₆H₄CH₂CH₂C₆H₄PPh₂-o (bdpbz), is dehydrogenated by various rhodium complexes to give the planar rhodium(I) complex

Full-size image

, from which the ligand, 2,2′-bis(o-diphenylphosphino)-trans-stilbene (bdpps) can be displaced by treatment with sodium cyanide. The stilbene forms stable chelate olefin complexes with planar rhodium(I) and iridium(I) and with octahedral iridium(III). On reaction with halide complexes of nickel(II), palladium(II) or platinum(II), the stilbene ligands

Full-size image

(R = Ph or o-CH₃C₆H₄) lose a vinyl proton in the form of hydrogen chloride to give chelate, planar σ-vinyls of general formula =CHC₆H₄PR₂-o) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = Cl, Br, I) of high thermal stability; analogous methyl derivatives =CHC₆H₄PR₂-o) are obtained from Pt(CH₃)₂(COD) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and the stilbene ligands. The bibenzyl also forms chelate σ-benzyls HCH₂C₆H₄PPh₂-o) (M = Pd, Pt; X = Cl, Br, I). The ¹H NMR spectra of the o-tolyl methyl groups in the compounds =CHC₆H₄PR₂-o) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; R = o-CH₃C₆H₄) vary with temperature, probably as a consequence of interconversion of enantiomers arising from restricted rotation about the M---P and M---C bonds. Possible mechanisms for the dehydrogenation reactions are briefly discussed.     

Fourfold alkyl wrapping of a copper(II) porphyrin thwarts macrocycle π–π stacking in a compact supramolecular package

Porphyrins are valuable constituents in optoelectronic, catalytic, and other applications, yet control of intermolecular π–π stacking is invariably essential to attain the desired properties. Superstructures built onto the porphyrin, often via meso‐aryl groups, can afford facial encumbrance that suppresses π–π stacking, although some molecular designs have provided insufficient facial coverage and many have entailed cumbersome syntheses. In this study, a copper(II) porphyrin bearing four meso substituents, namely, {10,20‐bis[2,6‐bis(octyloxy)phenyl]‐5,15‐dibromoporphinato}copper(II), [Cu(C₆₄H₈₂Br₂N₄O₄)], was prepared by metalation of the corresponding free‐base porphyrin and was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals a dihedral angle of 111.1 (2)° for the plane of the meso‐aryl group relative to the plane of the porphyrin, with both aryl groups tilted in the same direction. Each of the four octyloxy groups exhibits a gauche conformation for the –OCH₂CH₂– unit but is extended with four or five anti (–CH₂CH₂–/H) conformations thereafter, causing each octyl group to span the dimension of the macrocycle. In a global frame of reference where the two Br atoms define the north/south poles and the two aryl groups are at antipodes on the equator, two octyl groups of one aryl unit project over the northern hemisphere (covering pyrroles A and B), whereas those of the other aryl unit project over the southern hemisphere (covering pyrroles C and D). Together, the four octyl groups ensheath the two faces of the porphyrin in a self‐wrapped assembly. The closest approach of the Cu atom to an octyl methylene C atom (position 6) is 3.5817 (18) Å, the mean separations of neighboring porphyrin planes are 8.059 (4) and 4.693 (8) Å along the a and c axes, respectively, and the center‐to‐center distances between the Cu atoms of neighboring porphyrins are 10.2725 (4), 12.2540 (6), and 12.7472 (6) Å along the a, b, and c axes, respectively. The Hirshfeld surface analysis and two‐dimensional (2D) fingerprint plots provide information concerning contact interactions in the supramolecular assembly of the solid crystal.     

A Stable Organic π‐Radical of a Zinc(II)–Copper(I)–Zinc(II) Complex of Decaphyrin

A Zn^II‐Cu^I‐Zn^II heterotrimetal complex of decaphyrin was synthesized by stepwise metalations: metalation of a [46]decaphyrin with Zn^II ions to produce a 46π decaphyrin bis(Zn^II) complex and its subsequent metalation with Cu^II ion. In the second metalation step, it has been shown that Cu^II ion is reduced to a Cu^I ion in the complex and a dianionic bis(Zn^II) containing [46]decaphyrin ligand is oxidized to the corresponding monoanionic [45]decaphyrin ligand, indicating a non‐innocent nature of the decaphyrin ligand. Despite the radical nature, the heterotrimetal complex is fairly stable under ambient conditions and exhibits almost no intermolecular magnetic interaction, owing to extensive delocalization of an unpaired electron in the large π‐conjugated circuit of decaphyrin moiety.     

Enhanced Aerogen–π Interaction by a Cation–π Force

The interaction between a noble gas atom and an aromatic π‐electron system, which mainly originates from the London dispersion force, is very weak and has not attracted enough attention yet. Herein, we reported a type of notably enhanced aerogen–π interaction between cation–π systems and noble gas atoms. The binding strength of a divalent cation–π system with a xenon atom is comparable to a moderate hydrogen bond (up to ca. 7 kcal mol^?1), whereas krypton and argon atoms produce slightly weaker interactions. Energy‐decomposition analysis reveals that the induction interaction is responsible for the stabilization of divalent cation–π?Xe species besides the dispersion interaction. Our results might be helpful to increase the understanding of some unsolved mysteries of aerogens.     

Hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions in aquachloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)cobalt(II) chloride dichloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)cobalt(II) hexahydrate

The title compound, [CoCl(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)]Cl·[CoCl₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·6H₂O, is the first example of a new 1:1 cocrystal of the octahedral [CoCl₂(phen)₂] and [CoCl(phen)₂(H₂O)]⁺·Cl⁻ complexes (phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline). The latter form heterochiral dimers held by strong π–π stacking interactions via their phenathroline ligands, which confirms that π stacking is an important and reliable synthon in supramolecular design. In addition, the crystal structure is networked by H₂O...H₂O, H₂O...Cl⁻ and H₂O...Cl hydrogen bonds, which interconnect the different units of the cobalt complexes.     

Anion–π and Cation–π Interactions on the Same Surface

Herein, we address the question whether anion–π and cation–π interactions can take place simultaneously on the same aromatic surface. Covalently positioned carboxylate–guanidinium pairs on the surface of 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimides are used as an example to explore push–pull chromophores as privileged platforms for such “ion pair–π” interactions. In antiparallel orientation with respect to the push–pull dipole, a bathochromic effect is observed. A red shift of 41 nm found in the least polar solvent is in good agreement with the 70 nm expected from theoretical calculations of ground and excited states. Decreasing shifts with solvent polarity, protonation, aggregation, and parallel carboxylate–guanidinium pairs imply that the intramolecular Stark effect from antiparallel ion pair–π interactions exceeds solvatochromic effects by far. Theoretical studies indicate that carboxylate–guanidinium pairs can also interact with the surfaces of π‐acidic naphthalenediimides and π‐basic pyrenes.     

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.     

Synthesis,Electrochemistry, and Photophysical Studies of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Complexes with D–π–A–π–D Type Ligands and Their Application Studies as Organic Memories

A new class of ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes with a series of D–π–A–π–D type (D=donor, A=acceptor) ligands was synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the complexes were also investigated. The newly synthesized ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes were found to exhibit two intense absorption bands at both high‐energy (λ=333–369 nm) and low‐energy (λ=520–535 nm) regions. They are assigned as intraligand (IL) π→π* transitions of the bipyridine (bpy) and π‐conjugated bpy ligands, and IL charge‐transfer (CT) transitions from the donor to the acceptor moiety with mixing of dπ(Ru^II)→π*(bpy) and dπ(Ru^II)→π*(L) MLCT characters, respectively. In addition, all complexes were demonstrated to exhibit intense red emissions at approximately λ=727–744 nm in degassed dichloromethane at 298 K or in n‐butyronitrile glass at 77 K. Nanosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has also been carried out, establishing the presence of the charge‐separated state. In order to understand the electrochemical properties of the complexes, cyclic voltammetry has also been performed. Two quasi‐reversible oxidation couples and three quasi‐reversible reduction couples were observed. One of the ruthenium(II) complexes has been utilized in the fabrication of memory devices, in which an ON/OFF current ratio of over 10⁴ was obtained.     

Intramolecular π–π stacking in diaquabis(2‐hydroxybenzoato‐κO)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)strontium(II)

In the title compound, [Sr(C₇H₅O₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)₂], the Sr^II ion is located on a twofold rotation axis and assumes a distorted square‐antiprism SrN₄O₄ coordination geometry, formed by two phenanthroline (phen) ligands, two 2‐hydroxybenzoate anions and two water molecules. Within the mononuclear complex molecule, intramolecular π–π stacking is observed between nearly parallel coordinated phen ligands, while normal intermolecular π–π stacking occurs between parallel phen ligands of adjacent complex molecules. Classic O—H...O and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonding helps to stabilize the crystal structure.     

Increasing the π–π Interactions in Trinuclear NiII3 Triplesalophen Complexes

The new triplesalophen ligand H₆kruse^Br was synthesized as a variation of the triplesalophen ligands H₆baron^R by replacing a phenyl by a methyl group at the terminal ketimine in order to allow closer contacts of trinuclear complexes due to less steric hindrance by the smaller methyl group. The ligand H₆kruse^Br was used to synthesize the trinuclear complex [(kruse^Br)Ni^II₃], which is insoluble in organic solvents despite the coordinating solvent pyridine. Recrystallization from pyridine results in the complex [(kruse^Br){Ni₂(Ni(py)₂)}], which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Two Ni^II ions are four‐coordinate by the salophen‐like subunits while the third Ni^II ion is six‐coordinate by two additional pyridine donors. The analysis of the molecular and crystal structure in comparison to that of Ni^II₃ complexes of (baron^R)^6– reveals that the methyl group in [(kruse^Br){Ni₂(Ni(py)₂)}] results in less ligand folding and in closer contact distance of two Ni^II₃ complexes by π–π interactions of 3.2 Å. This indicates that trinuclear complexes of H₆kruse^Br are more suitable than complexes of H₆baron^R as molecular building blocks for the anticipated synthesis of nonanuclear single‐molecule magnets.