Conformational Polymorphism in N‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)‐ 3‐bromothiobenzamide

Three conformational polymorphs of N‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐bromothiobenzamide, yellow α, orange β, and yellow γ, have been identified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The properties and structure of the polymorphs were examined with FT Raman, FTIR (ATR), and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as differential scanning calorimetry. Computational data on rotational barriers in the isolated gas‐phase molecule indicate that the molecular conformation found in the α form is energetically preferred, but only by around 2 kJ mol^?1 over the γ conformation. The planar molecular structure found in the β form is destabilized by 10–14 kJ mol^?1, depending on the calculation method. However, experimental evidence suggests that the β polymorph is the most stable crystalline phase at room temperature. This is attributed to the relative planarity of this structure, which allows more and stronger intermolecular interactions, that is, more energetically effective packing. Calculated electronic‐absorption maxima were in agreement with experimental spectra.     

Gel Sculpture: Moldable,Load‐Bearing and Self‐Healing Non‐Polymeric Supramolecular Gel Derived from a Simple Organic Salt

An easy access to a library of simple organic salts derived from tert‐butoxycarbonyl (Boc)‐protected L ‐amino acids and two secondary amines (dicyclohexyl‐ and dibenzyl amine) are synthesized following a supramolecular synthon rationale to generate a new series of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs). Out of the 12 salts that we prepared, the nitrobenzene gel of dicyclohexylammonium Boc‐glycinate ( GLY.1 ) displayed remarkable load‐bearing, moldable and self‐healing properties. These remarkable properties displayed by GLY.1 and the inability to display such properties by its dibenzylammonium counterpart ( GLY.2 ) were explained using microscopic and rheological data. Single crystal structures of eight salts displayed the presence of a 1D hydrogen‐bonded network (HBN) that is believed to be important in gelation. Powder X‐ray diffraction in combination with the single crystal X‐ray structure of GLY.1 clearly established the presence of a 1D hydrogen‐bonded network in the xerogel of the nitrobenzene gel of GLY.1 . The fact that such remarkable properties arising from an easily accessible (salt formation) small molecule are due to supramolecular (non‐covalent) interactions is quite intriguing and such easily synthesizable materials may be useful in stress‐bearing and other applications.     

Supramolecular Synthons in Designing Low Molecular Mass Gelling Agents: L‐Amino Acid Methyl Ester Cinnamate Salts and their Anti‐Solvent‐Induced Instant Gelation

Easy access to a class of chiral gelators has been achieved by exploiting primary ammonium monocarboxylate ( PAM ), a supramolecular synthon. A combinatorial library comprising of 16 salts, derived from 5 l ‐amino acid methyl esters and 4 cinnamic acid derivatives, has been prepared and scanned for gelation. Remarkably, 14 out of 16 salts prepared (87.5 % of the salts) show moderate to good gelation abilities with various solvents, including commercial fuels, such as petrol. Anti‐solvent induced instant gelation at room temperature has been achieved in all the gelator salts, indicating that the gelation process is indeed an aborted crystallization phenomenon. Rheology, optical and scanning electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, and X‐ray powder diffraction have been used to characterize the gels. A structure‐property correlation has been attempted, based on these data, in addition to the single‐crystal structures of 5 gelator salts. Analysis of the FT‐IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy data reveals that some of these salts can be used as supramolecular containers for the slow release of certain pest sex pheromones. The present study clearly demonstrates the merit of crystal engineering and the supramolecular synthon approach in designing new materials with multiple properties.     

Hybridization of Long Pyridine‐Dicarboxamide Oligomers into Multi‐Turn Double Helices: Slow Strand Association and Dissociation,Solvent Dependence,and Solid State Structures

Oligoamides of 2,6‐diaminopyridine and 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid comprised of 5, 7, 9, 11, or 13 units and bearing 4‐isobutoxychains on all pyridine rings and tert‐butyl‐carbamate terminal groups have been synthesized stepwise, along with an 11 mer having benzyl‐carbamate terminal groups. The crystal structure of all five Boc‐terminated compounds has been obtained and shows a highly regular and conserved double helical hybridization motif of up to 3 complete turns for the 13 mer. Four pyridine units span one helical turn and define a helix pitch of ca 7 Å. Solution studies in CDCl₃ demonstrated that the Boc‐terminated oligomers strongly hybridize in this solvent, and that K_dim values increase with oligomer length. The K_dim values are 31000 and 7×10⁵ L mol^?1 for the 7 mer and the 9 mer, respectively, and are too high to be measured by NMR for the 11 mer and the 13 mer. Hybridization and dissociation kinetics at 2 mM proceed at decreasing rates upon increasing oligomer length. The rate was faster than minutes for the 7 mer, of the order of hours for the 9 mer, and days for the 11 mer and 13 mer. The same trend was observed in [D₅]pyridine but with considerably lower K_dim values and faster kinetics. The benzylcarbamate 11 mer was also found to hybridize into a double helix but with reduced K_dim values and faster kinetics compared to its Boc‐terminated analogue. Combined with previous studies, the results presented here frame a global understanding of the hybridization of these pyridinecarboxamide oligomers and provide useful guidelines for the design of other artificial double helices.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Theoretical Calculation,Specific Heat Capacity,and Thermodynamic Properties of 4,4'-Bis(3-N-methoxyformyl thioureido)-diphenyloxide

4,4′‐Bis(3‐N‐methoxyformyl thioureido)‐diphenyloxide was prepared via reaction of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl alter with potassium sulfocyanate and ethyl chloroacetate in ethyl acetate. The single crystal of the title compound was cultured by slow evaporation method at room temperature. The crystal structure was determined with X‐ray diffractometer. It is a monoclinic crystal, space group C2/c with a=0.95911(19) nm, b=0.75922(15) nm, c=2.7161(5) nm, α=90°, β=97.675 (3) °, γ=90°, V=1.9601(7) nm³, Z=4, D_c=1.472 g·cm⁻³, F(000) =904, µ=0.311 cm⁻¹, R₁=0.0367, wR₂=0.1408. The specific heat capacity of the title compound was determined with continuous C_p mode of mircocalorimeter. The thermal behavior of the title compound was studied under a non‐isothermal condition by DSC method.     

Two-component hydrogels comprising fatty acids and amines: structure, properties, and application as a template for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles

Stearic acid or eicosanoic acid mixed with di- or oligomeric amines in specific molar ratios form stable gels in water. The formation of such hydrogels depends on the hydrophobicity of the fatty acid, and also on the type of amine used. The gelation properties of these two-component systems were investigated using electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and both single-crystal and cast-film X-ray diffraction. Results of FTIR spectral analysis suggest salt formation during gelation. 1H NMR analysis of the gels indicates that the fatty acid chains are immobilized in the gel state and when the gel melts, these chains regain their mobility. Analysis of DSC data indicates that increase in the spacer length in the di-/oligomeric amine lowers the gel-melting temperature. Two of these gelator salts developed into crystals and structural details of such systems could be secured by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structural information of the salts thus obtained was compared with the XRD data of the self-supporting films of those gels. Such analyses provided pertinent structural insight into the supramolecular interactions that prevail within these gelator assemblies. Analysis of the crystal structure confirmed that multilayered lamellar aggregates exist in the gel and it also showed that the three-dimensional ordering observed in the crystalline phase is retained in only one direction in the gel state. Finally, the hydrogel was used as a medium for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were found to position themselves on the fibers and produced a long, ordered assembly of gel-nanoparticle composite.     

Primary Ammonium Monocarboxylate Synthon in Designing Supramolecular Gels: A New Series of Chiral Low‐Molecular‐Weight Gelators Derived from Simple Organic Salts that are Capable of Generating and Stabilizing Gold Nanoparticles

The primary ammonium monocarboxylate (PAM) synthon has been exploited to generate a new series of PAM salts from the free amine of L ‐phenylalanine‐3‐pyridyl amide, (S)‐2‐amino‐3‐phenyl‐N‐(pyridine‐3‐yl)propanamine (designated as “ B ”), and various substituted benzoic acids (designated as “ A(R) ”; R =4‐Me, 4‐Cl, 4‐Br, 4‐NO₂, 3‐Me, 3‐Cl, 3‐Br, 3‐NO₂, 2‐Me, 2‐Cl, 2‐Br, 2‐NO₂). The 4‐ and 3‐substituted benzoate salts showed moderate‐to‐excellent gelation ability with a number of polar and apolar solvents. The gels were characterized by DSC, rheology, SEM and TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, etc. Structure–property studies based on single‐crystal powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and FTIR data provided insights into the role of the PAM synthon in the formation of the gel networks. Interestingly, some of the gels were capable of forming and stabilizing gold nanoparticles at room temperature without the use of any exogenous reducing agents.     

Conformational Change from a Twisted Figure‐Eight to an Open‐Extended Structure in Doubly Fused 36π Core‐Modified Octaphyrins Triggered by Protonation: Implication on Photodynamics and Aromaticity

Two examples of core‐modified 36π doubly fused octaphyrins that undergo a conformational change from a twisted figure‐eight to an open‐extended structure induced by protonation are reported. Syntheses of the two octaphyrins (in which Ar=mesityl or tolyl) were achieved by a simple acid‐catalyzed condensation of dipyrrane unit containing an electron‐rich, rigid dithienothiophene (DTT) core with pentafluorobenzaldehyde followed by oxidation with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ). The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of the octaphyrin (in which Ar=mesityl) shows a figure‐eight twisted conformation of the expanded porphyrin skeleton with two DTT moieties oriented in a staggered conformation with a π‐cloud distance of 3.7 Å. Spectroscopic and quantum mechanical calculations reveal that both octaphyrins conform to a [4n]π nonaromatic electronic structure. Protonation of the pyrrole nitrogen atoms of the octaphyrins results in dramatic structural change, which led to 1) a large redshift and sharpening of absorption bands in electronic absorption spectrum, 2) a large change in chemical shift of pyrrole β‐CH and ? NH protons in the ¹H NMR spectrum, 3) a small increase in singlet lifetimes, and 4) a moderate increase in two‐photon absorption cross‐section values. Furthermore, nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) values calculated at various geometrical positions show positive values and anisotropy‐induced current density (AICD) plots indicate paratropic ring‐currents for the diprotonated form of the octaphyrin (in which Ar=tolyl); the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of the diprotonated form of the octaphyrin shows an extended structure in which one of the pyrrole ring of each dipyrrin subunit undergoes a 180 ° ring‐flip. Four trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) molecules are bound above and below the molecular plane defined by meso‐carbon atoms and are held by N? H ??? O, N? H ??? F, and C? H ??? F intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The extended‐open structure upon protonation allows π‐delocalization and the electronic structure conforms to a [4n]π Hückel antiaromatic in the diprotonated state.     

Supramolecular Chirality in Organo‐, Hydro‐, and Metallogels Derived from Bis‐amides of L‐(+)‐Tartaric Acid: Formation of Highly Aligned 1D Silica Fibers and Evidence of 5‐c Net SnS Topology in a Metallogel Network

A series of bis‐amides derived from L ‐(+)‐tartaric acid was synthesized as potential low‐molecular‐weight gelators. Out of 14 bis‐amides synthesized, 13 displayed organo‐, hydro‐, and ambidextrous gelation behavior. The gels were characterized by methods including circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, optical and electron microscopy, and rheology. One of the gels derived from di‐3‐pyridyltartaramide ( D‐3‐PyTA ) displayed intriguing nanotubular morphology of the gel network, which was exploited as a template to generate highly aligned 1D silica fibers. The gelator D‐3‐PyTA was also exploited to generate metallogels by treatment with various Cu^II/Zn^II salts under suitable conditions. A structure–property correlation on the basis of single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction data was attempted to gain insight into the structures of the gel networks in both organo‐ and metallogels. Such study led to the determination of the gel‐network structure of the Cu^II coordination‐polymer‐based metallogel, which displayed a 2D sheet architecture made of a chloride‐bridged double helix that resembled a 5‐c net SnS topology.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,Optical Properties,and Photocurrent Response of Heteroacene Derivatives

Six 5,9,14,18‐tetrathiaheptacene derivatives ( 1 a – 1 f ) were synthesized by using a simple ether–ether exchange reaction and fully characterized. In contrast to the planar conformation usually observed in thiophene‐fused benzene systems, single‐crystal analysis indicates that 7,16‐dipropyl‐5,9,14,18‐tetrathiaheptacene ( 1 a ), 7,16‐diphenyl‐5,9,14,18‐tetrathiaheptacene ( 1 b ), and 7,16‐di(4′‐chlorophenyl)‐5,9,14,18‐tetrathiaheptacene ( 1 c ) adopt chair conformations. The as‐formed dihedral angle between anthracene and the terminal benzene units are 137.258, 137.855, and 134.912° for 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c , respectively, which is close to the theoretical optimization results (128° for 1 b ). Interestingly, the oxidized product of 7,16‐di(trifluoromethylphenyl)‐5,9,14,18‐tetrathiaheptacene ( 1 e ) has a saddle shape, which results in the formation of column‐shaped units in the single crystal. The substituents on the side phenyl group have less effect on their UV/Vis absorption spectra, but a distinct redshift that accounts for the intramolecular charge transfer can be observed in the emission spectra. The electrochemical measurements show that all compounds present two oxidation waves. The photoswitching behavior based on 1 a–1 f was further measured and the experimental results suggest that these heteroacene derivatives are promising semiconductor materials for organic electronics.     

Structure determination of KScS2, RbScS2 and KLnS2 (Ln = Nd,Sm, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Tm and Yb) and crystal–chemical discussion

The title structures of KScS₂ (potassium scandium sulfide), RbScS₂ (rubidium scandium sulfide) and KLnS₂ [Ln = Nd (potassium neodymium sufide), Sm (potassium samarium sulfide), Tb (potassium terbium sulfide), Dy (potassium dysprosium sulfide), Ho (potassium holmium sulfide), Er (potassium erbium sulfide), Tm (potassium thulium sulfide) and Yb (potassium ytterbium sulfide)] are either newly determined (KScS₂, RbScS₂ and KTbS₂) or redetermined. All of them belong to the α‐NaFeO₂ structure type in agreement with the ratio of the ionic radii r³⁺/r⁺. KScS₂, the member of this structural family with the smallest trivalent cation, is an extreme representative of these structures with rare earth trivalent cations. The title structures are compared with isostructural alkali rare earth sulfides in plots showing the dependence of several relevant parameters on the trivalent cation crystal radius; the parameters thus compared are c, a and c/a, the thicknesses of the S—S layers which contain the respective constituent cations, the sulfur fractional coordinates z(S²⁻) and the bond‐valence sums.     

The synergistic co‐operation of N—H…O=P hydrogen bonds and C—H…OX weak intermolecular interactions (X is =P or —C) in the (CH3O)2P(O)(NH–NHC6F5) amidophosphoester: a combined X‐ray crystallographic and theoretical study

The asymmetric unit of O,O′‐dimethyl [(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorophenyl)hydrazinyl]phosphonate, C₈H₈F₅N₂O₃P, is composed of two symmetry‐independent molecules with significant differences in the orientations of the C₆F₅ and OMe groups. In the crystal structure, a one‐dimensional assembly is mediated from classical N—H…O hydrogen bonds, which includes R₂²(8), D(2) and some higher‐order graph‐set motifs. By also considering weak C—H…O=P and C—H…O—C intermolecular interactions, a two‐dimensional network extends along the ab plane. The strengths of the hydrogen bonds were evaluated using quantum chemical calculations with the GAUSSIAN09 software package at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level of theory. The LP(O) to σ*(NH) and σ*(CH) charge‐transfer interactions were examined according to second‐order perturbation theory in natural bond orbital (NBO) methodology. The hydrogen‐bonded clusters of molecules, including N—H…O and C—H…O interactions, were constructed as input files for the calculations and the strengths of the hydrogen bonds are as follows: N—H…O [R₂²(8)] > N—H…O [D(2)] > C—H…O. The decomposed fingerprint plots show that the contribution portions of the F…H/H…F contacts in both molecules are the largest.