Thiacalix[4]arene-alkali metal assemblies: crystal structures and guest-binding capabilities of supramolecular architectures supported by metal coordination and cation-π interactions

To investigate alkali metal complexation with sulfur-linked calixarene analogues and their guest-binding properties for gaseous organic guest molecules, we elucidated a crystal structure of a cesium complex with p-H-thiacalix[4]arene (1·4H) ligands and guest-binding properties of the cesium complex (2) and the previously reported rubidium complex (3). In crystals of the complex 2, a ‘sandwich-like’ binuclear complex was formed by inter-molecular coordination of cesium cations to the thiacalixarene molecules and methanol molecules, mutually interacting by aromatic-H?S hydrogen bonding and alkali metal cation-π interactions between the alkali metal cation and thiacalixarene aromatic rings outside of the cavities. On the guest-binding behaviors both complexes 2 and 3 toward organic guest molecules, methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol as polar molecules, the complex 2 has no methanol adsorption ability, but the complex 3 showed vapor adsorption properties for all guest molecules. In particular, both complexes exhibited a high adsorption capability toward ethanol molecule. As results of gaseous guest adsorption measurements for alcohol molecules, the guest-binding of these complexes are significantly different because the properties depend heavily on structural natures between complexes 2 and 3.     

Coordination steric effect of N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone on the assembly of coordination polymers

Three coordination polymers 1, 2 and 3 have been synthesized in DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), DMA (N,N-dimethylacetamide) and NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), respectively. In 1, DMF solvent molecule coordinates to zinc ion as an ancillary ligand, and 1D chain structure is obtained. 2 and 3 are isostructural, in which solvent molecules, DMA and NMP, do not coordinate to zinc ions, and 1D double stranded chain structures are formed. The coordination steric hindrance of the solvents is suggested as the decisive factor of the assemblies. Crystallography and thermoanalysis reveal that 2 and 3 are more stable and also include more guest solvent molecules than 1.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of different topological coordination polymers based on tunable Cu4Br4−mIm secondary building units and macrocyclic azacalixaromatics

The coordination self-assembly between the macrocyclic ligand tetraazacalix[4]pyrimidine (TAPM) with cubane-like copper halides (Cu₄X₄) produced five coordination polymers 1-5 {Cu₄Br_4−mI_m(TAPM)}_n (m=0 (1), 1 (2), 2 (3), 3 (4) and 4 (5)). X-ray single crystal analysis revealed that the Br:I ratio in the Cu₄X₄ cores serves as a controlling factor to fine-tune the geometries of Cu₄X₄ and therefore induce the conformation variation of tetraazacalix[4]pyrimidine. Consequently, two different topological nets, dia and lcs, were successfully constructed based on tetrahedrally coordinated Cu₄X₄ secondary building units and the flexible macrocyclic quadridentate ligand TAPM. The structure details of 1-5 as porous materials are analyzed, which shows a solvent accessible volume within the range of 27−35%. Compounds 1-5 exhibit luminescence properties with the peak maximum at around 476−488 nm.     

Two luminescent frameworks constructed from lead(II) salts with carboxylate ligands containing dinuclear lead(II) units

Two luminescent Pb(II) coordination frameworks containing dinuclear lead(II) units, [Pb(PYDC)(H₂O)]_n (1) and [Pb(HPHT)]_n (2) have been prepared by the self-assembly of lead(II) salts with pyridinecarboxylate and benzenecarboxylate. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that compound 1 is a three-dimensional architecture consisting of Pb₂O₂ dimeric building units, whereas compound 2 is a two-dimensional layer structure containing one-dimensional lead-oxide chains. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated in the solid state at room temperature, indicating structure-dependent photoluminescent properties of the coordination frameworks.     

Branched supramolecular polymers formed by bifunctional cyclodextrin derivatives

Branched supramolecular polymers have been prepared from the mixture of 3-cinnamamide-α-CD (1) and 3-N^α-cinnamamidehexancarbonyl-N^?-cinnamamide-lysinamide-α-CD (3) and from the mixture of 3-cinnamamidehexanamide-α-CD (2) and 3. Compounds 1 and 2 formed a linear supramolecular polymer, whereas compound 3 having two guest moieties formed a hyperbranched supramolecular polymer. Physical properties of these supramolecular polymers were studied by viscosity measurements in aqueous solutions. When compound 3 was added to the solution of compound 2, the η_sp/C value of the mixture of 2 and 3 was found to be much higher than that of compound 2. These results indicate that compound 3 functions as a branching moiety to increase the viscosity. Supramolecular polymers consisting of compound 2 or 3 did not show the viscosity increase, whereas the mixture of 2 and 3 gave highly viscous solutions and formed fibers from the concentrated aqueous solutions. It is caused by the branching of linear supramolecular polymers with compound 3 and hydrophobic and/or hydrogen bonding interactions between supramolecular polymers.     

Three-component reactions leading to 2D and 3D metal-organic frameworks assembled on dinickel-carboxylate secondary building units

Three-component reactions involving Ni(II) ions and dicarboxylate and bipyridyl ligands under hydrothermal conditions produce two novel metal-organic coordination polymers formulated empirically as [Ni(PDA)(BPE)] (1) and [Ni₂(PDA)₂(BPP)(H₂O)]·2.5H₂O (2), where PDA = 1,4-phenylenediacetate, BPE = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, and BPP = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane. Both compounds possess 2D or 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are assembled on dinickel-carboxylate secondary building units. Compound 1 has a condensed 3D MOF, whereas 2 contains void between 2D MOFs where guest water molecules reside. Both compounds demonstrate antiferromagnetic coupling between Ni(II) ions.     

Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of a series of 3D lanthanide coordination polymers with tripodal semirigid ligand

Reactions of the tripodal bridging ligand 5-(4-carboxy-phenoxy)-isophthalic acid (abbreviated as H₃cpia) with lanthanide salts lead to the formation of a family of different coordination polymers, that is, [Ln(cpia)(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O (Ln=Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), Dy (7), Er (8), Tm (9) and Y (10)) in the presence of formic acid or diethylamine, which are characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), XRPD spectrum and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-10 are isostructural and exhibit three-dimensional microporous frameworks. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 4, 5 and 7 have been studied in detail.     

Different geometrical arrangements in carboxylate coordination polymers of flexible dicarboxylic acid

Dicarboxylate coordination polymers (1-5) of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), respectively, derived from (7-carboxymethoxy-naphthalen-2-yloxy)-acetic acid (L₁H₂) are synthesized and characterized. Depending on the coordination sites around the metal centers and coordination mode of the ligand, dimensionality of these polymers varies. The dicarboxylates adopt three spatial orientations: in-plane linear coordination, out-of-plane cis coordination and out-of-plane trans coordination mode. Both the cis and trans out-of-plane coordination modes are found to exist only if the ancillary ligand pyridine is coordinated to the metal ion. When the aquoligand coordinates the in-plane linear coordination mode of L₁ predominates. The coordination polymers 4 and 5 show photoluminescence in solution. The dicarboxylate of (5-carboxymethoxy-naphthalen-1-yloxy)-acetic acid (L₂H₂) does not form coordination polymer under ambient conditions, but prefers to remain as uncoordinated anion providing hydrophobic confinement to hexa-aquometal(II) cation. Compound 3 crystallizes in P2₁ space group and it shows broadband ultra-violet fluorescence centered at 352.9 nm on focusing 632.8 nm He:Ne laser.     

Guest-encapsulation behavior in a self-assembled heterodimeric capsule

Tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 1 and tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 2 self-assemble into a heterodimeric capsule 1·2 via four PhOH?pyridyl hydrogen bonds in CDCl₃, wherein one molecule of 1,4-disubstituted-benzene as a guest is encapsulated to form a ternary complex, guest@(1·2). The X-ray crystallographic analysis of (methyl p-ethoxybenzoate)@(1·2) confirmed that the methyl ester and ethoxy groups of the encapsulated guest are oriented to the cavity ends of the 1 and 2 units, respectively. The scope and limitation of guest encapsulation in 1·2, including guest-binding selectivity and orientational isomeric selectivity, are described from the viewpoint of size complementarity and CH-π, CH-halogen, and halogen-π interactions between guest and the cavity of 1·2.     

Four divalent metal thiocyanate coordination compounds containing a rigid functional pyridine ligand

A series of new coordination compounds Zn(SCN)₂L₂ (1), Co(SCN)₂L₂ (2), [Cd(SCN)₂L₂·2L]_n (3) and [CdHg(SCN)₄L₂]_n (4) have been prepared by self-assembly of a rigid functional pyridine ligand, trans-4-[4′-(N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl)amimo]styryl pyridine (abbreviated as L) with M(SCN)_x (M: Zn, Co, Cd, CdHg; x: 2, 4). The crystal structures indicate that 1 and 2 are mononuclear compounds while 3 and 4 are coordination polymers. O–H?N, C–H?O, O–H?π and C–H?π hydrogen bonds play significant roles in the final crystal structures. The solid-state luminescence properties have been measured. The results indicate that the photoluminescence spectra of all the compounds can be changed by the frameworks and introducing of different metal ions.     

Synthesis, structure and mesomorphic properties of side-chain chiral liquid crystalline polysiloxanes based on (S)-(+)-2-methyl-1-butanol derivatives

The synthesis of five chiral liquid crystalline monomers (M₁-M₅), and their corresponding side-chain polymers (P₁-P₅) based on (S)-(+)-2-methyl-1-butanol derivatives is described. The chemical structures of the monomers were confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analyses. The structure-property relationships of the monomers and polymers obtained are discussed. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. All monomers showed a cholesteric phase. For M₂, M₃, and M₅, besides a cholesteric phase and a smectic A (S_A) phase, M₂ also revealed an enantiotropic chiral smectic C phase and a monotropic smectic B (S_B) phase, and M₃ also showed a S_B phase. The polymers P₁-P₅ exhibited a S_A phase, moreover, P₂, P₃ and P₅ also revealed a phase. The experimental results demonstrated that a flexible siloxane backbone and a long flexible spacer tended to exhibit a low glass transition temperature, high thermal stability, and wide mesophase temperature range.     

Guest recognition of a tetrapyridinohemicarcerand through hydrogen bonding and constrictive binding interactions

Tetrapyridinohemicarcerand 2 having four hydrogen-bonding acceptors of inward-directing pyridyl units was synthesized and their binding properties for a variety of organic guest molecules have been investigated. Tetrapyridinohemicarcerand 2 formed kinetically stable complexes with various sulfonic acids via intermolecular -SO₃H-pyridyl hydrogen bonding and constrictive binding interactions in C₂D₂Cl₄ at 25 °C. But carboxylic acids or alcohols cannot be a stable guest at the same conditions. Tetrapyridinohemicarcerand 2 also binds various disubstituted benzenes. Especially 1,4-diiodobenzene forms stable hemicarceplex 1,4-diiodobenzene@2, which seems to be stabilized by constrictive binding as well as by -C-H?I interactions between dioxymethylene of 2 and iodo group of guest.     

Self assembly of two novel three-dimensional supramolecular networks with blue photoluminescence

Two novel photoluminescent coordination polymers of the formula [Cd(Haip)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O (1) and [Zn(aip)(atz)] · 3H₂O (2) (H₂aip = 5-aminoisophthalic acid; atz = 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) have been synthesized through the self-assembly of metal(II) ions with H₂aip and N-containing ligands [2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole for 1 and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole for 2, respectively] in the presence of NaOH. These complexes were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), elemental analysis and X-ray analysis. X-ray crystallographic studies of the complexes reveal that 1 is a first example where only one carboxylate group of the H₂aip ligand participates in coordination with the metal(II) ion and it exhibits a two-dimensional framework which further assembles into a three-dimensional supramolecular network via interlayer π–π stacking interactions and strong hydrogen bonds, while 2 exhibits a two-dimensional porous architecture. The extensively strong hydrogen bonds and interlayer π–π stacking interactions in 2 lead to the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular network. Photoluminescence properties of the compounds 1 and 2 have been examined in the solid state at room temperature. These compounds have been found to exhibit blue photoluminescence and may be good candidates for photoactive materials.     

Controlling self-assembly of zinc(II)-benzoate coordination complexes with 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane by varying solvent and ligand-to-metal ratio: Their catalytic activities

Four new coordination polymers formed by zinc-benzoate with the 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) bridging ligand have been prepared and characterized. Zinc-benzoates can be rationally tuned to form four different structures with a bridging bpe ligand by controlling ligand-to-zinc-benzoate molar ratios and by using different solvent systems, and reveal three coordination polymers having similar one-dimensional characteristics but having different mono-, di-, trinuclear nodes (1–3), and a dinuclear ring type molecule (4). This work reveals that the ligand-to-metal ratio and solvent play very important roles in the formation of different coordination structures. We have also shown that the compounds 1–4 catalyzed efficiently the transesterification of a variety of esters. The complex 3 showed the most efficient reactivity and is the best among the catalytic efficiencies reported previously with zinc-containing coordination and polymeric compounds. The substrates with the electron-withdrawing substituents have undergone faster transesterification than those with the electron-donating ones. In addition, the scope of the application of 1–4 as transesterification catalysts has been expanded to now include ethanol and propanol, suggesting that this catalytic system can be potentially useful for preparing various esters by transesterification. Moreover, the transesterification reaction mechanism was discussed by ¹H NMR study.     

Guests of differing polarities provide insight into structural requirements for templates of water-soluble nano-capsules

Guests covering a range of polarities were examined for their ability to bind to a water-soluble cavitand and trigger its assembly into a supramolecular capsule. Specifically the guests examined were: tridecane 2, 1-dodecanol 3, 2-nonyloxy ethanol (ethylene glycol monononyl ether) 4, 2-(2-hexyloxyethoxy) ethanol (di(ethylene glycol) hexyl ether) 5, 2-[2-(2 propoxyethoxy)ethoxy] ethanol (tri(ethylene glycol) propyl ether) 6, and bis [2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl] ether (tetra(ethylene glycol)) 7. In this series, guest 6 proved to signify the boundary between assembly and the formation of 2:1 complexes, and simple 1:1 complexation. Thus, guests 2-5 formed relatively kinetically stable capsules, guest 6 formed a capsule that was unstable relative to the NMR timescale, and guest 7 formed a simple 1:1 complex.     

A porous coordination architecture assembled by silver triflate and 9,10-bis(3,5-dicyano-1-phenyl)anthracene and its gas adsorption profile

We report a crystal structure and guest uptake measurements of a 2D coordination polymer, 3·2(AgOTf)·2(acetone) which has been assembled by silver triflate and 9,10-bis(3,5-dicyano-1-phenyl)anthracene (3). When the as-prepared sample was evacuated, the 3·2(AgOTf) framework retains its original structure with a void space into which guest molecules such as acetone and benzene can be restored.     

Five novel transition metal coordination polymers with 2D/3D framework structure based on flexible H2tzda and ancillary ligand bpe

Five new transition metal coordination polymers based on H₂tzda and co-ligand bpe, {[M(tzda)(bpe)]·H₂O}_n [M=Zn(1), Cd(2), Mn(3), Co(4)] and [Ni₂(tzda)₂(bpe)₂(H₂O)]_n (5) [H₂tzda=(1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyldithio)diacetic acid, bpe=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane], have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1-4 feature a 2D-layered architecture generated from [M(tzda)]_n moiety with double-chain structure cross-linking bpe spacers. However, the conformations bpe adopts in 3 and 4 are different from those in 1 and 2 due to the rotation of C-C single bond in bpe. Polymer 5 exhibits an interesting 3D porous framework with 2-fold interpenetration, in which intriguing 1D double helix chains are observed. The photoluminescence properties of 1 and 2 in the solid-state at room temperature are investigated. In addition, variable-temperature magnetic data show weak antiferromagnetic behavior in 3-5.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures and fluorescence properties of three novel frameworks constructed with mixed ligands of isophthalic acid (1,3-BDC) and 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (Dpdq): [M(1,3-BDC)(Dpdq)(H2O)m] · nH2O (M = Co, Cd or Zn)

Three novel metal-organic frameworks [M(1,3-BDC)(Dpdq)(H₂O)_m] · nH₂O, (M = Co^II (1), Cd^II (2) or Zn^II (3); m = 0, 1; n = 0, 1, 2, respectively) have been obtained from hydrothermal reactions of three different metal(II) nitrates with the same mixed ligands [isophthalic acid (1,3-BDC) and 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (Dpdq)], and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that each pair of metal ions are bridged by various coordination modes of 1,3-BDC ligands to form left- and right-handed helical chains in 1, linear chains in 2, and double chains in 3, respectively. N-containing flexible ligand Dpdq takes a chelating coordination mode acting as terminal ligand. In the compound 1, adjacent left- and right-handed helical chains are packed through hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional (2-D) structure. In the compounds 2 and 3, adjacent chains are further linked by hydrogen bonds and/or π-π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional (3-D) distorted hexagon meshes supramolecular framework for 2 and a ZnS-related three-dimensional (3-D) topology for 3, respectively. The different structures of compounds 1-3 illustrate that the influence of the metal ions in the self-assembly of polymeric coordination architectures. In addition, compounds 2 and 3 exhibit blue emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of two new nano-structured 3D lead(II) coordination polymers: Precursors for preparation of PbO nano-structures

Nano-structures of two new Pb(II) three-dimensional coordination polymers, [Pb₂(4-pyc)₂I₂(H₂O)]_n (1), {4-Hpyc = 4-pyridinecarboxilic acid} and [Pb(3-pyc)I]_n (2), {3-Hpyc = 3-pyridinecarboxilic acid} were synthesized by sonochemical method. The new nano-structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and are three-dimensional coordination polymers. The thermal stability of compounds 1 and 2 both their bulk and nano-size were studied by thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analyses and compared. PbO block-structures were obtained by calcination of the nano-structures of compounds 1 and 2 at 400 °C.     

One-dimensional silver(I) 5,5-diethylbarbiturato coordination polymers with N-piperidineethanol and 1,3-bis(4-piperidyl)propane: Syntheses,crystal structures,spectroscopic and thermal properties

Two new coordination polymers, [Ag₂(barb)(pipet)]_n (1) and {Na₃[Ag₂(barb)₂](pippr)·2H₂O}_n (2) (where H₂barb, pipet and Hpippr are 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid, N-piperidineethanol and 1,3-bis(4-piperidyl)propane, respectively) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, thermal analysis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction techniques. Silver(I) ions in complexes 1 and 2 are bridged by barb dianions, leading to one-dimensional coordination polymers. In 1, the barb ligand acts as a tetradentate bridging ligand, while in 2 as a bidendate bridging ligand. The pipet ligand behaves as a bidentate chelating donor, whereas the pippr anion is not involved in coordination and remains as a counter-ion. The one-dimensional chains of 1 and 2 are further extended into supramolecular networks. Spectral and thermal analysis data for 1 and 2 are in agreement with the crystal structures.