CH–π and CF–π Interactions Lead to Structural Changes of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Palladium Complexes

The role of CH–π and CF–π interactions in determining the structure of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium complexes were studied using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. The CH–π interactions led to the formation of the cis‐anti isomers in 1‐aryl‐3‐isopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene‐based [(NHC)₂PdX₂] complexes, while CF–π interactions led to the exclusive formation of the cis‐syn isomer of diiodobis(3‐isopropyl‐1‐pentafluorophenylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) palladium(II).     

Gold(III) π‐Allyl Complexes

Gold(III) π‐complexes have been authenticated recently with alkenes, alkynes, and arenes. The key importance of Pd^II π‐allyl complexes in organometallic chemistry (Tsuji–Trost reaction) prompted us to explore gold(III) π‐allyl complexes, which have remained elusive so far. The (P,C)Au^III(allyl) and (methallyl) complexes 3 and 3′ were readily prepared and isolated as thermally and air‐stable solids. Spectroscopic and crystallographic analyses combined with detailed DFT calculations support tight quasi‐symmetric η³‐coordination of the allyl moiety. The π‐allyl gold(III) complexes are activated towards nucleophilic additions, as substantiated with β‐diketo enolates.     

Construction of Hetero‐Four‐Layered Tripalladium(II) Cyclophanes by Transannular π⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

A synthetic strategy for the generation of new molecular species utilizing a provision of nature is presented. Nano‐dimensional (23(2)×21(1)×16(1) ų) hetero‐four‐layered trimetallacyclophanes were constructed by proof‐of‐concept experiments that utilize a suitable combination of π???π interactions between the central aromatic rings, tailor‐made short/long spacer tridentate donors, and the combined helicity. The behavior of the unprecedented four‐layered metallacyclophane system offers a landmark in the development of new molecular systems.     

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.     

Photophysical properties of σ–π‐conjugated alternating oligothienylene–oligosilylene polymers

UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence properties of three series of σ–π‐conjugated polymers (copolymers of alternative oligothienylene and oligosilylene units) have been studied in dioxane solution. The energies of the absorption maximum, fluorescence maximum, and the 0–0 transition are found to be linearly dependent on the reciprocal of the number of thiophene rings in the repeating unit of the polymer chain, but almost independent of the silicon atom number. The σ–π‐conjugation in the polymers results in red shift in the absorption and fluorescence maxima, higher fluorescence quantum yields, and longer fluorescence lifetimes of the polymers, with respect to their corresponding analogous α‐oligothiophenes. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1873–1880, 1999     

A–π–D–π–A Electron‐Donating Small Molecules for Solution‐Processed Organic Solar Cells: A Review

Organic solar cells based on semiconducting polymers and small molecules have attracted considerable attention in the last two decades. Moreover, the power conversion efficiencies for solution‐processed solar cells containing A–π–D–π–A‐type small molecules and fullerenes have reached 11%. However, the method for designing high‐performance, photovoltaic small molecules still remains unclear. In this review, recent studies on A–π–D–π–A electron‐donating small molecules for organic solar cells are introduced. Moreover, the relationships between molecular properties and device performances are summarized, from which inspiration for the future design of high performance organic solar cells may be obtained.     

Shifting from Hydrogen Bond Network to π–π Stacking: A Key Mechanism for Reversible Thermochromic Sulfonated Poly(Ether Ether Ketone)

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) thin film performs reversible thermochromic property by developing the color to be yellowish at the temperature above 190 °C. The detailed analyses based on temperature‐dependent techniques suggest the thermal treatment inducing the shifting of the hydrogen bond network between the sulfonated group and the hydrated water molecules to the π–π stacking among aromatic rings in SPEEK chains. Although it is general that the polymer chain packing is unfavorable at high temperature, the present work shows a good example that when the polymer chains can form specific molecular interaction, such as π–π stacking, even in harsh thermal treatment, a rearrangement will effectively occur, which leads to an external stimuli‐responsive property.

     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a [Mo8O26]4– Cluster Derivative with 4‐MePyH+. First β‐Octamolybdate Derivative with π–π Stacking

Dioxobis(pyridine‐2‐thiolate‐N, S)molybdenum(VI) (MoO₂(Py‐S)₂), reacts with of 4‐methylpyridine (4‐MePy) in acetonitrile, by slow diffusion, to afford the title compound. This has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray single crystal structure of the complex is described. Structural studies reveal that the molecular structure consists of a β‐Mo₈O₂₆ polyanion with eight MoO₆ distorted edge‐shared octahedra with short terminal Mo–O bonds (1.692–1.714 Å), bonds of intermediate length (1.887–1.999 Å) and long bonds (2.150–2.473 Å). Two different types of hydrogen bonds have been found: N–H···O (2.800–3.075 Å) and C–H···O (3.095–3.316 Å). The presence of π–π stacking interactions and strong hydrogen bonds are presumably responsible for the special disposition of the pyridinic rings around the polyanion cluster.     

Dissecting the concave–convex π‐π interaction in corannulene and sumanene dimers: SAPT(DFT) analysis and performance of DFT dispersion‐corrected methods

The characteristics of the concave–convex π‐π interactions are evaluated in 32 buckybowl dimers formed by corannulene, sumanene, and two substituted sumanenes (with S and CO groups), using symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory [SAPT(DFT)] and density functional theory (DFT). According to our results, the main stabilizing contribution is dispersion, followed by electrostatics. Regarding the ability of DFT methods to reproduce the results obtained with the most expensive and rigorous methods, TPSS‐D seems to be the best option overall, although its results slightly tend to underestimate the interaction energies and to overestimate the equilibrium distances. The other two tested DFT‐D methods, B97‐D2 and B3LYP‐D, supply rather reasonable results as well. M06‐2X, although it is a good option from a geometrical point of view, leads to too weak interactions, with differences with respect to the reference values amounting to about 4 kcal/mol (25% of the total interaction energy). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Alkali Metal-Transition Metal π-Complexes

In this progress report a new principle is described for the synthesis of multimetal π-complexes with hitherto unknown structural features. The nickel(0)-olefin complexes 1,5,9-cyclododecatrienenickel(0) and bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) react unexpectedly with main-group metals, in particular alkali metals, their hydrides, and organometallic compounds, to give nickelligand species with a surplus charge. These species endeavor to transfer the excess charge onto π-ligands such as olefins or dinitrogen. Multimetal complexes with electron rich transition metal π-ligand units can, in addition, be prepared from metallocenes, alkali metals, and unsaturated compounds. The syntheses, structures, and reactions of this new class of substances will be summarized.     

π–π Stacking‐Interlinked Molecular Squares with Hepta‐Coordinated Cadmium(II) Corners, [Cd(DMAP)3(NO2)2]·0.5H2O

The single crystal X‐ray analysis data of the new hepta‐coordinate cadmium(II) complex of N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(4‐pyridyl)amine (DMPA), [Cd(DMPA)₃(NO₂)₂]·0.5H₂O, shows that the coordination environment around the Cd^II is pentagonal bipyramidal. Furthermore, self‐assembly of this complex as molecular squares that interlink via π–π stacking interactions is observed. This network contains voids that are filled by water molecules.     

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.     

Stabilizing Fluorine–π Interactions

A series of N ‐arylimide molecular balances were designed to study and measure fluorine–aromatic (F–π) interactions. Fluorine substituents gave rise to increasingly more stabilizing interactions with more electron‐deficient aromatic surfaces. The attractive F–π interaction is electrostatically driven and is stronger than other halogen–π interactions.     

Energetic N‐Nitramino/N‐Oxyl‐Functionalized Pyrazoles with Versatile π–π Stacking: Structure–Property Relationships of High‐Performance Energetic Materials

N‐Nitramino/N‐oxyl functionalization strategies were employed to investigate structure–property relationships of energetic materials. Based on single‐crystal diffraction data, π–π stacking of pyrazole backbones can be tailored effectively by energetic functionalities, thereby resulting in diversified energetic compounds. Among them, hydroxylammonium 4‐amino‐3,5‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐olate and dipotassium N,N′‐(3,5‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1,4‐diyl)dinitramidate, with unique face‐to‐face π–π stacking, can be potentially used as a high‐performance explosive and an energetic oxidizer, respectively.     

Synthesis and optical properties of σ–π conjugated organic–inorganic hybrid gels

Organic–inorganic hybrid gels containing Si‐vinylene units have been synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction of tri‐ or tetra‐ethynyl aryl compounds, 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene (TEB), 3,3′,5,5′‐tetraethynylbiphenyl (TEBP), or tetrakis(4‐ethynylphenyl)methane (TEPM), and bisdimethylsilyl compounds, 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS) or 1,4‐bisdimetylsilylbenzene (BDMSB), in toluene. Network structure of the resulting gels was quantitatively characterized by a scanning microscopic light scattering. The reactions yielded the gels having homogeneous network structure of 1.5–2.9 nm mesh size under the monomer concentrations that were relatively higher than the critical gelation concentration. The gels obtained from TEB showed broad absorption in the range from 340 to 370 nm, and emission in the range from 440 to 490 nm. The TEB–BDMSB gels showed remarkable red shift of the emission in comparison with that of the corresponding reaction solutions derived from the network formed by σ–π conjugation. The TEPM–TMDS, BDMSB gels exited by 280 nm showed not only the emission peak at around 360 nm derived from TEPM, but the broad peak at around 420 nm, which should be derived from interaction between phenyl groups of TEPM in the gels. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1360–1368     

The tropolone–isobutylamine complex: a hydrogen‐bonded troponoid without dominant π–π interactions

Tropolone long has served as a model system for unraveling the ubiquitous phenomena of proton transfer and hydrogen bonding. This molecule, which juxtaposes ketonic, hydroxylic, and aromatic functionalities in a framework of minimal complexity, also has provided a versatile platform for investigating the synergism among competing intermolecular forces, including those generated by hydrogen bonding and aryl coupling. Small members of the troponoid family typically produce crystals that are stabilized strongly by pervasive π–π, C—H…π, or ion–π interactions. The organic salt (TrOH·iBA) formed by a facile proton‐transfer reaction between tropolone (TrOH) and isobutylamine (iBA), namely isobutylammonium 7‐oxocyclohepta‐1,3,5‐trien‐1‐olate, C₄H₁₂N⁺·C₇H₅O₂⁻, has been investigated by X‐ray crystallography, with complementary quantum‐chemical and statistical‐database analyses serving to elucidate the nature of attendant intermolecular interactions and their synergistic effects upon lattice‐packing phenomena. The crystal structure deduced from low‐temperature diffraction measurements displays extensive hydrogen‐bonding networks, yet shows little evidence of the aryl forces (viz. π–π, C—H…π, and ion–π interactions) that typically dominate this class of compounds. Density functional calculations performed with and without the imposition of periodic boundary conditions (the latter entailing isolated subunits) documented the specificity and directionality of noncovalent interactions occurring between the proton‐donating and proton‐accepting sites of TrOH and iBA, as well as the absence of aromatic coupling mediated by the seven‐membered ring of TrOH. A statistical comparison of the structural parameters extracted for key hydrogen‐bond linkages to those reported for 44 previously known crystals that support similar binding motifs revealed TrOH·iBA to possess the shortest donor–acceptor distances of any troponoid‐based complex, combined with unambiguous signatures of enhanced proton‐delocalization processes that putatively stabilize the corresponding crystalline lattice and facilitate its surprisingly rapid formation under ambient conditions.