Synthesis of microporous materials using macrocycles as structure directing agents

The synthesis of microporous materials has been an important element of solid state chemistry over the past years and remains so today. The emergence of possible new applications has driven interest towards synthesis of new materials. This article reviews the application of macrocycles as structure-directing agents (SDAs) in the pursuit of these important new materials.     

Supramolecular coordination chemistry of aromatic polyoxalamide ligands: A metallosupramolecular approach toward functional magnetic materials

The impressive potential of the metallosupramolecular approach in designing new functional magnetic materials constitutes a great scientific challenge for the chemical research community that requires an interdisciplinary collaboration. New fundamental concepts and future applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology will emerge from the study of magnetism as a supramolecular function in metallosupramolecular chemistry. Our recent work on the rich supramolecular coordination chemistry of a novel family of aromatic polyoxalamide (APOXA) ligands with first-row transition metal ions has allowed us to move one step further in the rational design of metallosupramolecular assemblies of increasing structural and magnetic complexity. Thus, we have taken advantage of the new developments of metallosupramolecular chemistry and, in particular, the molecular-programmed self-assembly methods that exploit the coordination preferences of paramagnetic metal ions and suitable designed polytopic ligands. The resulting self-assembled di- and trinuclear metallacyclic complexes with APOXA ligands, either metallacyclophanes or metallacryptands, are indeed ideal model systems for the study of the electron exchange mechanism between paramagnetic metal centers through extended π-conjugated aromatic bridges. So, the influence of different factors such as the topology and conformation of the bridging ligand or the electronic configuration and magnetic anisotropy of the metal ion have been investigated in a systematic way. These oligonuclear metallacyclic complexes can be important in the development of a new class of molecular magnetic devices, such as molecular magnetic wires (MMWs) and switches (MMSs), which are major goals in the field of molecular electronics and spintronics. On the other hand, because of their metal binding capacity through the outer carbonyl-oxygen atoms of the oxamato groups, they can further be used as ligands, referred to as metal–organic ligands (MOLs), toward either coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes or fully solvated metal ions. This well-known “complex-as-ligand” approach affords a wide variety of high-nuclearity metal–organic clusters (MOCs) and high-dimensionality metal–organic polymers (MOPs). The judicious choice of the oligonuclear MOL, ranging from mono- to di- and trinuclear species, has allowed us to control the overall structure and magnetic properties of the final oxamato-bridged multidimensional (nD, n = 0–3) MOCs and MOPs. The intercrossing between short- (nanoscopic) and long-range (macroscopic) magnetic behavior has been investigated in this unique family of oxamato-bridged metallosupramolecular magnetic materials expanding the examples of low-dimensional, single-molecule (SMMs) and single-chain (SCMs) magnets and high-dimensional, open-framework magnets (OFMs), which are brand-new targets in the field of molecular magnetism and materials science.     

Monomers that form conducting polymers as structure-directing agents: synthesis of microporous molecular sieves encapsulating poly-para-phenylenevinylene

We have developed a novel concept that uses monomers required for making conducting polymers as organic structure-directing agents, for the synthesis of microporous molecular sieves. We show that these monomers facilitate the formation of crystalline and amorphous molecular sieves depending on the synthesis procedure. The monomers filling the pores of the silicates can be polymerized under certain conditions, resulting in a polymer immobilized and protected inside the matrix. The concept was exemplified with para-phenylenemethylene-bis(1-tetrahydrothiophenium) and para-phenylenemethylene-bis(trimethylammonium) that were used to template microporous molecular sieves and subsequently to obtain poly-para-phenylenevinylene (PPV) inside the matrix. The organic self-assembled organic-inorganic material was extensively characterized and the implication on electrical conductivity is presented.     

Supramolecular chemistry in water

Supramolecular chemistry in water is a constantly growing research area because noncovalent interactions in aqueous media are important for obtaining a better understanding and control of the major processes in nature. This Review offers an overview of recent advances in the area of water-soluble synthetic receptors as well as self-assembly and molecular recognition in water, through consideration of the functionalities that are used to increase the water solubility, as well as the supramolecular interactions and approaches used for effective recognition of a guest and self-assembly in water. The special features and applications of supramolecular entities in aqueous media are also described.     

Supramolecular chemistry — Molecular information and the design of supramolecular materials

Molecular information expressed through molecular recognition events provides means for directing the spontaneous formation of supramolecular species from complementary components. It may allow the design and engineering of supramolecular materials, in particular of liquid crystalline and of polymeric nature. Thus, supramolecular mesophases have been obtained from molecular recognition-induced association of suitable subunits. The self-assembly of complementary ditopic components generates liquid crystalline “polymers” of supramolecular nature; it takes place by a progressive growth revealed by electron microscopy: from nuclei, to filaments, to tree-like species, to strings and fibers that present helicity induced by the chirality of the subunits. A rich variety of structures and properties may be expected to result from the blending of supramolecular chemistry with polymer chemistry and materials science.     

在无有机导向剂条件下采用乙醇为助剂合成高硅沸石

高硅沸石具有优异的热稳定性、水热稳定性、大的微孔体积、高表面积和均匀的微孔孔道,因而广泛应用于催化领域.然而,高硅沸石的合成往往需要使用有机结构导向剂,不但增加了沸石合成成本,而且还产生了大量的三废排放.为了解决这个问题,我们发展了在无有机导向剂存在条件下采用沸石晶种诱导合成沸石的方法,但是该方法合成的沸石产物骨架富铝...     

肽束的超分子化学

在疏水相中合成了含8-9个亮氨酸的两性十八肽,并见到自集合形成α-螺旋六聚体,这类肽的分子络合物和提取物的核磁共振谱表明这些六聚体是以扭曲的螺旋束存在,并在它的中间含有一个环状空间.     

Supramolecular chemistry of monochiral naphthalenediimides

Three new N-desymmetrised naphthalenediimides (NDIs) are described, each containing one chiral and one achiral centre. The ability of such 'monochiral' NDIs to self-assemble into hydrogen-bonded helical nanotubes, to act as a sergeant in a 'sergeants-and-soldiers' system and to form a hexameric receptor for C(70) was examined. Small differences at the achiral centre were found to have significant effects on the supramolecular properties of the NDI. All three new NDIs form nanotubes that bind C(60), but with different efficiencies, and one is a better sergeant than any of the dichiral NDIs investigated to date.     

Supramolecular chemistry in lipid bilayer membranes

Lipid bilayer membranes form compartments requisite for life. Interfacing supramolecular systems, including receptors, catalysts, signal transducers and ion transporters, enables the function of the membrane to be controlled in artificial and living cellular compartments. In this perspective, we take stock of the current state of the art of this rapidly expanding field, and discuss prospects for the future in both fundamental science and applications in biology and medicine.

This perspective provides an overview of the current state of the art in supramolecular chemistry in lipid bilayer membranes, including receptors, signal transducers, catalysts and transporters, and highlights prospects for the future.     

Fluoride bridges as structure-directing motifs in 3d-4f cluster chemistry

The use of kinetically robust chromium(III) fluorido complexes as synthons for mixed 3d-4f clusters is reported. The tendency toward linear {Cr(III)-F-Ln(III)} units dictates the cluster topology. Specifically, we show that reaction of cis-[Cr(III)F(2)(NN)(2)]NO(3) (NN = 1,10-phenanthroline ("phen") or 2,2'-bipyridine ("bpy")) with Ln(NO(3))(3)·xH(2)O produces isostructural series of molecular {Ln(2)Cr(2)} squares (1-9) with linear fluoride bridges. In a parallel fashion, fac-[Cr(III)F(3)L], where L = N,N',N″-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane ("Me(3)tacn"), reacts with Nd(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O to form a fluoride-centered penta-nuclear complex and fac-[Cr(III)F(3)L'], with L' = 1,1,1-tris-((methylamino)methylethane) ("Me(3)tame"), reacts with [Ln(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] (hfacH = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone) to yield an isostructural series of {Ln(3)Cr(2)} (10-14) trigonal bipyramids with no central ligand. The formation of the latter is accompanied by a partial solvolysis of the Cr(III) precursor but without formation of insoluble LnF(3). The magnetic properties of the gadolinium containing clusters allow quantification of fluoride-mediated, antiferromagnetic Gd-Cr exchange interactions of magnitude between 0.14 cm(-1) and 0.71 cm(-1) (? = J(12)?(1)·?(2) formalism) and vanishingly small J(Gd-Gd) of 0.06(0) cm(-1). The large spin and small anisotropy together with weak exchange interactions in the {Gd(3)Cr(2)} (11) cluster give rise to a very large magneto-caloric effect of -ΔS(m) = 28.7 J kg(-1) K(-1) (μ(0)H = 90 to 0 kOe).     

Macrocyclic amines as structure-directing agents for the synthesis of three-dimensional antimony-sulfide frameworks

A new family of antimony sulfides, incorporating the macrocyclic tetramine 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam), has been prepared by a hydrothermal method. [C10N4H26][Sb4S7] (1), [Ni(C10N4H24)][Sb4S7] (2), and [Co(C10N4H24)]x[C10N4H26](1-x)[Sb4S7] (0.08 < or = x < or = 0.74) (3) have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, and analytical electron microscopy. All three materials possess the same novel three-dimensional Sb4S7(2-) framework, constructed from layers of parallel arrays of Sb4S8(4-) chains stacked at 90 degrees to one another. In 1, doubly protonated macrocyclic cations reside in the channel structure of the antimony-sulfide framework. In 2 and 3, the cyclam acts as a ligand, chelating the divalent transition-metal cation. Analytical and X-ray diffraction data indicate that the level of metal incorporation in 2 is effectively complete, whereas in 3, both metalated and nonmetalated forms of the macrocycle coexist within the structure.     

Solvothermal synthesis of new open-framework metal phosphites with structure-directing agents generated in situ

By using amide molecules and a urea derivative as the source of structure-directing agents (SDAs), three open-framework metal phosphites, (CH₃NH₃)₂·[Be₃(HPO₃)₄] (1), (CH₃CH₂NH₃)₂·[Be₃(HPO₃)₄] (2), and [(CH₃)₂NH₂]_1.5·(H₃O)_0.5·[Al₄(HPO₃)₇(H₂O)₃]·(H₂O)_0.5 (3), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Compound 1 has left- and right-handed helical channels running along the [001] directions. Compound 2 possesses zigzag 12-ring channels running along the [001] direction. Compound 3 contains multidirectional 12-ring channels running along the [100], [010], and [110] directions. It is noteworthy that the direct use of methylamine, ethylamine and dimethylamine as SDAs can't produce corresponding single crystals of compounds 1–3, demonstrating the slow release of amines from amide molecules and urea derivative is a key process for the crystal growth.     

A computational chemistry insight in the role of structure directing agents in the synthesis of zeolites

The role of structure directing agents in the synthesis of zeolites has been studied through atomistic simulation techniques. Three different kinds of structure directing agents have been reviewed: (i) isomorphic heteroatom Si --> Al and Si --> Ge substitutions; (ii) F(-) anions; and (iii) organic SDAs. The interplay between these structure directing agents is described and the separate effects of each one have been found from energy calculations and analysis of energetic terms.     

On the microporous structure of glass beads

Summary Glass beads of controlled porosity are interesting packings for chromatography. They are used as molecular sieves and they can constitute the starting point for the production of packings with a chemically bonded phase. From the practical point of view it would be desirable to known the methods for obtaining porous glass beads of strictly defined structure. In this communication attention will be drawn to the occurrence of microporous structure in glass beads, which is an unfavourable phenomenon from the standpoint of chromatography. Moreover, a method allowing us to remove the microporosity will also be discussed.