Comparative studies on group III σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions

The σ‐hole of M₂H₆ (M = Al, Ga, In) and π‐hole of MH₃ (M = Al, Ga, In) were discovered and analyzed, the bimolecular complexes M₂H₆···NH₃ and MH₃···N₂P₂F₄ (M = Al, Ga, In) were constructed to carry out comparative studies on the group III σ‐hole interactions and π‐hole interactions. The two types of interactions are all partial‐covalent interactions; the π‐hole interactions are stronger than σ‐hole interactions. The electrostatic energy is the largest contribution for forming the σ‐hole and π‐hole interaction, the polarization energy is also an important factor to form the M···N interaction. The electrostatic energy contributions to the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those of the π‐hole interactions. However, the polarization contributions for the π‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those for the σ‐hole interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Phenylcarbamoylated β‐CD: π‐Acidic and π‐basic chiral selectors for HPLC

Two types of chiral stationary phases for HPLC based on π‐acidic or π‐basic perphenylcarbamoylated β‐CDs were synthesized. The relative structural features of the two effective chiral selectors are discussed and compared in both normal‐phase and RP modes. In addition, the nature and concentration of alcoholic modifiers were varied for optimal separation in normal phase and the structural variation of the analytes was also examined. The results showed that hydrogen bonding, steric effect and π‐acidic–π‐basic interaction contributed greatly to enantioseparation. Upon comparison, some of the differences in the separation behavior of the two types of chiral stationary phases might be due to the π‐acidic or π‐basic phenylcarbamate groups.     

Kristallstrukturen und spektroskopische Eigenschaften von 2λ3‐Phospha‐1, 3‐dionaten und 1, 3‐Dionaten des Calciums ‐ ein Vergleich am Beispiel der 1, 3‐Diphenyl‐ und 1, 3‐Di(tert‐butyl)‐Derivate

Crystal Structures and Spectroscopic Properties of 2λ³‐Phospha‐1, 3‐dionates and 1, 3‐Dionates of Calcium ‐ Comparative Studies on the 1, 3‐Diphenyl and 1, 3‐Di(tert‐butyl) Derivatives A hydrogen‐metal exchange between dibenzoylphosphane and calcium carbide in tetrahydrofuran (THF) followed by addition of the ligand 1, 3, 5‐trimethyl‐1, 3, 5‐triazinane (TMTA) furnishes the binuclear complex bis[(tmta‐N, N′, N″)calcium bis(dibenzoylphosphanide)] ( 1a ) co‐crystallizing with benzene. Similarly, reaction of bis(2, 2‐dimethylpropionyl)phosphane with bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] in 1, 2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) gives bis(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis[bis(2, 2‐dimethylpropionyl)phosphanide] ( 1b ) in high yield. The carbon analogues 1, 3‐diphenylpropane‐1, 3‐dione (dibenzoylmethane) or 2, 2, 6, 6‐tetramethylheptane‐3, 5‐dione (dipivaloylmethane) and bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[tris(trimethylsilylmethyl)zincate] in DME afford bis(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis(dibenzoylmethanide) ( 2a ) and the binuclear complex (μ‐dme‐O, O′)bis[(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis(dipivaloylmethanide)] ( 2b ), respectively. Dialkylzinc formed during the metalation reaction shows no reactivity towards the 1, 3‐dionates 2a and 2b . Finally, from the reaction of the unsymmetrically substituted ligand 2‐(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanone and bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] in toluene, the trinuclear complex 3 is obtained, co‐crystallizing with THF. The β‐ketoester anion bridges solely via the cyclopentanone unit.     

The Bright Future of Unconventional σ/π‐Hole Interactions

Non‐covalent interactions play a crucial role in (supramolecular) chemistry and much of biology. Supramolecular forces can indeed determine the structure and function of a host–guest system. Many sensors, for example, rely on reversible bonding with the analyte. Natural machineries also often have a significant non‐covalent component (e.g. protein folding, recognition) and rational interference in such ‘living’ devices can have pharmacological implications. For the rational design/tweaking of supramolecular systems it is helpful to know what supramolecular synthons are available and to understand the forces that make these synthons stick to one another. In this review we focus on σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions. A σ‐ or π‐hole can be seen as positive electrostatic potential on unpopulated σ* or π⁽*⁾ orbitals, which are thus capable of interacting with some electron dense region. A σ‐hole is typically located along the vector of a covalent bond such as X?H or X?Hlg (X=any atom, Hlg=halogen), which are respectively known as hydrogen and halogen bond donors. Only recently it has become clear that σ‐holes can also be found along a covalent bond with chalcogen (X?Ch), pnictogen (X?Pn) and tetrel (X?Tr) atoms. Interactions with these synthons are named chalcogen, pnigtogen and tetrel interactions. A π‐hole is typically located perpendicular to the molecular framework of diatomic π‐systems such as carbonyls, or conjugated π‐systems such as hexafluorobenzene. Anion–π and lone‐pair–π interactions are examples of named π‐hole interactions between conjugated π‐systems and anions or lone‐pair electrons respectively. While the above nomenclature indicates the distinct chemical identity of the supramolecular synthon acting as Lewis acid, it is worth stressing that the underlying physics is very similar. This implies that interactions that are now not so well‐established might turn out to be equally useful as conventional hydrogen and halogen bonds. In summary, we describe the physical nature of σ‐ and π‐hole interactions, present a selection of inquiries that utilise σ‐ and π‐holes, and give an overview of analyses of structural databases (CSD/PDB) that demonstrate how prevalent these interactions already are in solid‐state structures.     

π‐Extended Indenofluorenes

A series of π‐extended aromatic indenofluorene (IF) analogues with naphthalene and anthracene cores have been synthesized through acid‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization. The regioselectivity of the reaction is controlled by a combination of steric and electronic factors and in some cases several possible regioisomers have resulted from the same precursor. The effects of ring connectivity on the optoelectronic properties were investigated by DFT calculations, absorption/emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and spectroelectrochemical studies. All regioisomers exhibited a redshift of their absorption/emission bands relative to the parent IF analogues, but the magnitude of this shift and other optoelectronic properties (luminescence quantum yield, etc.) depends on the ring connectivity in a less obvious manner.