Patterned polymeric multilayered assemblies through hydrogen bonding and metal coordination

Patterned polymeric multilayered assemblies were formed using a combination of metal coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions. We proved that the hydrogen bonding interaction between diamidopyridine and thymine can be employed for polymeric multilayer assemblies. We then combined this strategy along with a second supramolecular interaction, metal coordination. These interactions proved to be orthogonal to one another on the surface, making each discrete region individually responsive to external stimuli.     

Synergistic effect between metal coordination and hydrogen bonding in phosphate and halide recognition

The equilibrium constant for binding of dimethyl phosphate to a Co(III) complex in water increases from 6.2 to 210 M-1 upon addition of a single hydrogen bond between the bound phosphate and the metal complex. Crystal structure reveals that the hydrogen bond distance is 1.96 A. The synergistic effect between metal coordination and hydrogen bonding can also be observed for fluoride binding but not for bromide binding.     

Metallo-tetraazaporphyrin based anion sensors: regulation of sensor characteristics through central metal ion coordination

The iron(III) and cobalt(III) complexes of 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octakis(benzylthio)-5,10,15,20-tetraazaporphyrin, (OBTAP) were synthesized and incorporated into PVC matrix as ionophores to fabricate anion selective membrane electrodes that exhibit selective potentiometric response to azide and nitrite ions, respectively. The membrane of [Fe(OBTAP)]⁺ (III) with a composition of 6:190:200 (III:DBP:PVC) (w/w), and of [Co(OBTAP)]⁺ (IV) with a composition of 10:148:200 (IV:DOP:PVC) (w/w), i.e. 1a and 2b, respectively (where DBP:dibutylphthalate and DOP=dioctylphthalate) gave the best performance. The membrane 1a showed a slope of 29.2±0.2 mV per decade of activity for N₃⁻ in the working concentration range of 8.9×10⁻⁶ to 1.0×10⁻¹ M. The membrane 2b showed a slope of 30.0±0.2 mV per decade of activity for NO₂⁻ in the working concentration range of 1.1×10⁻⁵ to 1.0×10⁻¹ M. The membranes worked satisfactorily in the pH range of 4.3-10.5 (1a) and 2.8-6.4 (2b) and had fast response time of 12±2 and 13±2 s, respectively. Electrodes exhibited a high degree of selectivity for N₃⁻ and NO₂⁻, respectively, over several other monovalent and bivalent anions. Only SCN⁻ and S²⁻ (at >1.0×10⁻⁴ M) cause moderate interference for electrode 1a and Cl⁻ and S²⁻ (at >1.0×10⁻⁵ M) for electrode 2b. They gave reproducible results with the relative standard deviation in the observed values of potentials (σ) of 1.96 and 1.80 mV for electrodes 1a and 2b, respectively, from the least-squares fit line. The 90% confidence limit lies within ±0.2 mV per decade of activity. Reproducible results were obtained over a period of 5 months. Their performance in non-aqueous solvent mixtures having up to 50% (v/v) methanol, ethanol and acetone were evaluated and were found satisfactory. The proposed sensors are superior in terms of detection limit and response time in comparison to the reported ones.     

Enhanced voltammetric anion sensing at halogen and hydrogen bonding ferrocenyl SAMs

Halogen bonding mediated electrochemical anion sensing has very recently been established as a potent platform for the selective and sensitive detection of anions, although the principles that govern binding and subsequent signal transduction remain poorly understood. Herein we address this challenge by providing a comprehensive study of novel redox-active halogen bonding (XB) and hydrogen bonding (HB) ferrocene-isophthalamide-(iodo)triazole receptors in solution and at self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Under diffusive conditions the sensory performance of the XB sensor was significantly superior. In molecular films the XB and HB binding motifs both display a notably enhanced, but similar, response to specific anions. Importantly, the enhanced response of these films is rationalised by a consideration of the (interfacial) dielectric microenvironment. These effects, and the resolved relationship between anion binding and signal transduction, underpin an improved fundamental understanding of anion sensing at redox-active interfaces which will benefit not just the development of more potent, real-life relevant, sensors but also new tools to study host–guest interactions at interfaces.

Surface enhancement effects in the sensing of anions at redox-active molecular films are investigated in detail and rationalised based on a consideration of the dielectric binding microenvironment.     

An artificial guanine that binds cytidine through the cooperative interaction of metal coordination and hydrogen bonding

Cd(II) complex of L binds selectively to cytidine in DMSO with an equilibrium constant of 117 M-1 (where LH is 2-aminomethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline). In contrast, the Zn(II) complex of L does not bind appreciably to any of the four nucleobases under the same condition used for the Cd(II) complex.     

Anion recognition through hydrogen bonding by adamantane-dipyrromethane receptors

Adamantane-dipyrromethane (AdD) receptors [di(pyrrole-2-yl)methyladamantane (1), 2,2-di(pyrrole-2-yl)adamantane (2), 1,3-bis[di(pyrrole-2-yl)methyl]adamantane (3), 2,2,6,6-tetra(pyrrole-2-yl)adamantane (4)] form complexes with F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, AcO⁻, NO₃⁻, HSO₄⁻, and H₂PO₄⁻. The association constants of the complexes were determined by ¹H NMR titrations, whereas the geometries of complexes 1·F⁻ (2:1), 2·F⁻ (2:1), 2·Cl⁻ (2:1), 2·AcO⁻ (2:1), and 4·F⁻ (1:1) were determined by X-ray structural analysis. The most stable complexes are of 2:1 stoichiometry with F⁻ and AcO⁻. The stability constants are in accordance with the anion basicity and the ability of AdD receptors to place the hydrogen bonding donor groups in a tetrahedral fashion around anions. The binding energies of the complexes between receptors 1-4 and F⁻ anion are calculated using quantum chemical methods. The calculated results show that the solvent polarity is important for the complexation of fluoride ion with AdD receptors 1-4.     

Engineering silver(I) coordination networks through hydrogen bonding

The silver(I) coordination networks [Ag2(mu-O2CCF3)2(mu-NN)2](infinity) exist as a polymer of macrocycles or a double-stranded polymer when NN = 1,2-C6H4[NHC(O)-4-C5H4N]2 or 1,2-C6H4[NHC(O)-3-C5H4N]2, respectively. Crystal engineering of the polymers is achieved through interchain hydrogen bonds.     

Highly sensitive luminescent metal-complex receptors for anions through charge-assisted amide hydrogen bonding

Two structurally simple and easily synthesized luminescent anion receptors featured with an amide-type anion binding site and rhenium(I) tricarbonyl pyridine signaling units have been developed, and they display outstanding sensitivity and selectivity toward a variety of anionic species. These complexes are highly emissive in solution. Upon anion binding, the emission intensity was significantly quenched. The sensitivities of these complexes are so high that the emission intensity can be effectively quenched by as much as 10% even in the presence of only 10(-8) M cyanide or fluoride anions. The ability of formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the amide protons and central pyridine is believed to be responsible for the observed high selectivity.     

Anion-tri-s-triazine bonding: a case for anion recognition

An ab initio study of the possible interaction between several anions (F(-), Cl(-), N(3)(-), N(4)(-), and N(5)(-)) and tri-s-triazine molecule, an electron-deficient aromatic ring, has been carried out at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory. Minima are located corresponding to hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking, and reactive complexes. This novel mode of bonding suggests the development of new cyclophane-type receptors for the recognition of anions.     

A ratiometric luminescent sensing of Ag+ ion via in situ formation of coordination polymers

A ratiometric luminescent sensing of Ag(+) ion is developed via the Ag(I)-NCys coordination polymeric luminophore in situ formed in aqueous solution upon mixing Ag(+) ion with the designed fluorescent thiol ligand NCys.     

Bile acid based receptors for multiple metal ion recognition

A series of bile acid based receptors having triazole unit along with some additional heteroatom containing moieties as coordinating units for transition metal ion recognition has been synthesized. The UV–Vis studies revealed that these receptors show significant multiple binding affinity for Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.     

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.     

Construction of metal-organic frameworks through coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions: Syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties of metal complexes with macrocyclic ligand

A macrocyclic ligand L with two diethylenetriamine units linked by two rigid biphenylene spacers was used as building block for construction of metal-organic frameworks. A silver(I) complex with macrocyclic and open-chain mix-type ligands [Ag₂(L)(L′)](ClO₄)₂ (1) [L′=1,6-bis(4-imidazol-1′-ylmethylphenyl)-2,5-diazahexane] was obtained by reaction of L and L′ together with AgClO₄·H₂O. It is interesting that the open-chain tetradentate ligand L′ only served as a bidentate ligand to bridge the Ag₂L units into an infinite one-dimensional (1D) cationic chain. Neutral 1D chain coordination polymer [Cu₂(L)(μ-SO₄)₂]·3H₂O·3MeOH (2) is formed by sulfate bridges between the neighboring Cu₂L units. When L reacted with nickel(II) sulfate instead of copper(II) sulfate, a monomacrocycle molecular complex [Ni₂(L)(H₂O)₄(SO₄)₂] (3) was obtained in which the sulfate anion acts as monodentate ligands rather than as bridges. When Cd(II) salts were used for the reactions with L, another two neutral 1D coordination polymers, [Cd₂(L)(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O (4) and [Cd₂(L)(μ-Br)₂Br₂] (5), with the same structure were isolated. All the synthesized complexes exhibit three-dimensional framework structures linked by various hydrogen bonds. The photoluminescent properties of the synthesized complexes were studied in the solid state at room temperature, and the Ag(I) and Cd(II) complexes were found to show strong blue luminescence.     

Alkali metal ion complexes of functionalised calixarenes--competition between pendent arm and anion bonding to sodium

Determination of the crystal structure of the acetonitrile inclusate of the complex formed between sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate, CF3SO3-) and the narrow-rim functionalised calix[4]arene, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-di(phenylmethoxy)-26,28-di(2'-methoxyethoxy)calix[4]arene, has shown, somewhat unexpectedly, that the diether pendent arms do not chelate the sodium cation, although coordination of all four phenolic oxygen atoms does draw the calixarene into a nearly symmetrical cone form, consistent with conclusions drawn earlier from solution 1H NMR data. Crystals of C64H80O6.NaO3S.CF3.CH3CN obtained from acetonitrile solvent are monoclinic, C2/c, a structure determination at 'low' temperature (153 K) resolving several difficulties encountered in earlier attempts to analyse data acquired at approximately 295 K, and indicative of an interesting temperature dependence of substituent and anion orientations.     

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding and anion binding of N-benzamido-N'-benzoylthioureas

N-(p-Dimethylamino)benzoyl-N'-phenylthiourea as an N-acylthiourea is known to be unable to bind anions due to a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). We show here that by inserting an amido group in the N'-phenyl side the newly designed N-benzamido-N'-benzoylthioureas, despite this IHB too, bind strongly to anions with binding constants on the order of 10(6)-10(7) mol(-1) L. Results suggest that potential anion receptors or organocatalysts could be developed on the basis of this framework with a wide structural diversity.     

Advances in anion binding and sensing using luminescent lanthanide complexes

Luminescent lanthanide complexes have been actively studied as selective anion receptors for the past two decades. Ln(iii) complexes, particularly of europium(iii) and terbium(iii), offer unique photophysical properties that are very valuable for anion sensing in biological media, including long luminescence lifetimes (milliseconds) that enable time-gating methods to eliminate background autofluorescence from biomolecules, and line-like emission spectra that allow ratiometric measurements. By careful design of the organic ligand, stable Ln(iii) complexes can be devised for rapid and reversible anion binding, providing a luminescence response that is fast and sensitive, offering the high spatial resolution required for biological imaging applications. This review focuses on recent progress in the development of Ln(iii) receptors that exhibit sufficiently high anion selectivity to be utilised in biological or environmental sensing applications. We evaluate the mechanisms of anion binding and sensing, and the strategies employed to tune anion affinity and selectivity, through variations in the structure and geometry of the ligand. We highlight examples of luminescent Ln(iii) receptors that have been utilised to detect and quantify specific anions in biological media (e.g. human serum), monitor enzyme reactions in real-time, and visualise target anions with high sensitivity in living cells.

This minireview highlights advances in anion binding and sensing using luminescent lanthanide(iii) complexes.     

Heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) bipyridyl-transition metal dithiocarbamate macrocycles for anion recognition and sensing

New heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) bipyridyl-transition metal dithiocarbamate macrocycles have been prepared in good yields via metal directed self-assembly and shown to recognise anions. ¹H NMR anion titration studies reveal the nature of the bipyridyl amide metal dithiocarbamate spacer unit in the respective dinuclear metal macrocycle influences significantly the strength of chloride and bromide complexation in DMSO solutions. Luminescence spectroscopy was used to sense anions in polar organic solutions via notable emission enhancement and quenching of the respective ruthenium(II) bipyridyl groups in the receptors.     

3D-supramolecular copper(I) cyanide coordination polymers through hydrogen bonding

The reactions of K₃[Cu(CN)₄], 3-acetylpyridine (3-Acpy) or 4-acetylpyridine (4-Acpy) in the presence of Me₃SnCl in H₂O/acetonitrile media at room temperature afford the 3D-supramolecular coordination polymers (SCPs)_∞³[Cu₂CN(μ-CN)·(3-Acpy)₂] 1 and _∞³[Cu₂CN(μ-CN)·(4-Acpy)₂] 2. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of Cu₂CN building blocks which are connected by CN groups, forming 1D-zig-zag chains. Each chain is bonded to another chain by hydrogen bonding into a 2D-layer, which is further stacked in an interwoven mode by π–π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds in 1 and 2, as well as Cu···Cu interactions in 1, to create supramolecular 3D-network structures. The high dimensional topologies of 1 and 2 result mainly from extensive hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking. The long wavelength absorption band at 400–420 nm in the electronic spectra of 1 and 2 is assigned to a CT from copper(I) to the Acpy ligand. Compound 2 exhibits strong luminescence at 485 and 527 nm, corresponding to MLCT and metal-centered transitions, respectively.     

A gold(I) mononuclear complex and its association into binuclear and cluster compounds by hydrogen bonding or metal ion coordination

The mononuclear Au(I) complex, Au(Spy)(PPh2py) (1), has been synthesized and characterized structurally. The complex possesses the expected linear coordination geometry with a S-Au-P bond angle of 176.03(6) degrees and no evidence of aurophilic interactions between nearest neighbor Au(I) ions in the solid state. Protonation of the pendant pyridyl groups of 1 leads to the formation of the H-bonded dimer [(Au(SpyH)(PPh2py))2](PF6)2 (2), which has also been structurally characterized. A linear coordination geometry at the Au(I) ions in 2 with a S-Au-P bond angle of 173.7(2) degrees is augmented by evidence of a strong aurophilic interaction with a Au...Au distance of 2.979(1) A. The pendant pyridyl groups of 1 have also been used to bind Cu(I) by reactions with [Cu(NCMe)4](PF6) and Cu(P(p-tolyl)3)2(NO3) leading to the formation of the heterobimetallic complexes [(AuCu(mu-Spy)(mu-PPh2py))2](PF6)2 (3) and [AuCu(P(p-tolyl)3)2(mu-Spy)(mu-PPh2py)](NO3) (4), respectively. A structure determination of 3 reveals a tetranuclear complex composed of two AuCu(mu-Spy)(mu-PPh2py)+ units held together by bridging thiolate ligands. A strong metal-metal interaction is noted between the two different d10 ions with nearest Au-Cu distances averaging 2.6395 A. The S-Au-P bond angles in 3 deviate slightly from linearity due to the Au...Cu interactions, while the coordination geometries at Cu(I) are distorted tetrahedral consisting of the two pyridyl nitrogen atoms, a bridging thiolate sulfur, and the interacting Au(I) ion. While mononuclear complex 1 is only weakly emissive in the solid state and in fluid solution, complexes 2-4 show stronger photoluminescence in the solid state and rigid media at 77 K, and in fluid solution. The emission maxima for 2-4 in ambient temperature fluid solution are 470, 635, and 510 nm, respectively. A tentative assignment of the emitting state as a S(p pi)-->Au LMCT transition is made on the basis of previous studies of Au(I) thiolate phosphine complexes. Shifts of lambda em result from the influence of H bonding or Cu(I) coordination on the filled thiolate orbital energy, or on the effect of metal-metal interaction on the Au(I) acceptor orbital energy. Crystal data for Au(Spy)(PPh2py) (1): triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2), with a = 8.3975(4) A, b = 11.0237(5) A, c = 12.4105(6) A, alpha = 98.6740(10) degrees, beta = 105.3540(10) degrees, gamma = 110.9620(10) degrees, V = 995.33(8) A3, Z = 2, R1 = 3.66% (I > 2 sigma(I)), wR2 = 9.04% (I > 2 sigma(I)) for 2617 unique reflections. Crystal data for [(Au(SpyH)(PPh2py))2](PF6)2 (2): triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2), with a = 14.0284(3) A, b = 14.1093(3) A, c = 15.7027(2) A, alpha = 97.1870(10) degrees, beta = 96.5310(10) degrees, gamma = 117.1420(10) degrees, V = 2692.21(9) A3, Z = 2, R1 = 7.72% (I > 2 sigma(I)), wR2 = 15.34% (I > 2 sigma(I)) for 5596 unique reflections. Crystal data for [(AuCu(mu-Spy)(mu-PPh2py))2](PF6)2 (3): monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), with a = 19.6388(6) A, b = 16.3788(4) A, c = 17.2294(5) A, beta = 91.48 degrees, V = 5540.2(3) A3, Z = 4, R1 = 3.99% (I > 2 sigma(I)), wR2 = 8.38% (I > 2 sigma(I)) for 10,597 unique reflections.