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.     

Controlled formation of novel supramolecular microbelts or microprisms from aniline and H2PdCl4 driven by coordination and π–π interactions

In this communication, I report the formation of novel supramolecular one-dimensional (1D) structures including microbelts and microprisms by a direct mix of aniline and H₂PdCl₄ aqueous solutions at room temperature. As-formed supramolecular structures were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra and X-ray diffraction techniques. Both coordination and π–π interactions are expected to be responsible for these 1D microstructures. It suggests that the molar ratio of the reactants is crucial to the formation of such 1D structures.     

Complexation of monosubstituted benzenes and methanes by cyclotetrachromotropylene in aqueous solution: Substituent effects on π-π and Ch-π interactions

The stability constantsK of 11 complexes formed in aqueous solution between several monosubstituted benzenes (C₆H₅X) and methanes (CH₃X) as guests and cyclotetrachromotropylene as host were determined by proton NMR spectroscopy. Variations ofK with the substituent X are attributed to the electronic effect of X and the presence of C–H or aromatic bonds, if any, interacting with the host bonds.     

Lone pair···π interactions on the stabilization of intra and intermolecular arrangements of coordination compounds with 2-methyl imidazole and benzimidazole derivatives

Abstract

Spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of coordination compounds of Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II, and Pd^II with phenylsulfonyl imidazole and benzimidazole derivatives (2-mfsiz, 2-mfsbz) were performed. The relevance of non-covalent interactions on the stabilization of intra and intermolecular arrangements in the ligands and their coordination compounds was investigated. The imidazole 2-mfsiz ligand presents two enantiomeric conformers, where the ethylphenylsulfone moiety stabilizes intermolecular lone pair···π (S–O···π_(phe)) and H···π contacts, while its tetrahedral coordination compounds, [M(2-mfsiz)₂X₂] (M²⁺?=?Co, Ni, Zn; X?=?Cl, Br) showed intramolecular lone pair···π interactions (S–O···π_(iz)). On the other hand, compounds [Cu₂(2-mfsiz)₂(µ₂-AcO)₄] and trans-[Pd(2-mfsiz)₂Cl₂] do not present lone pair···π interactions due to the metal ion geometry (square base pyramidal or square planar), which leads to formation of π_(iz)···π_(phe) interactions. For the benzimidazole ligand 2-mfsbz, an intramolecular, H_(phe)···π_(bz) contact was observed, remaining in its tetrahedral and octahedral coordination compounds, [M(2-mfsbz)₂X₂] (M²⁺?=?Co, Zn; X?=?Cl, Br, NO₃). This interaction limits the free rotation of the ethylphenylsulfone moiety for stabilization of an intermolecular lone pair···π interaction (S–O···π_(iz)). The dimeric [Zn₂(2-mfsiz)₂(µ²-AcO)₄] compound has a π_(bz)···π_(phe) contact. Theoretical calculations confirmed the non-covalent interactions in the ligands and their coordination compounds.     

Constructing a novel nonlinear optical materials: substituents and heteroatoms in π-π systems effect on the first hyperpolarizability

By doping π-π systems with Li atom, a series of Li@sandwich configuration and Li@T-shaped configuration compounds have been theoretically designed and investigated using density functional theory. It is revealed that energy gaps (E _gap) between highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of all compounds are in a range of 0.4–0.9 ev. When Li atom is introduced into different sandwich configuration π-π systems (C₆₀-toluene, C₆₀-fluorobenzene, C₆₀-phenol, C₆₀-benzonitrile), Li@C₆₀-benzonitrile exhibits considerable first hyperpolarizability as large as 19,759 au, which is larger by about 18,372–18,664 au than those of other compounds. When Li atom is introduced into different T-shaped configuration π-π systems (C₆₀-pyridine, C₆₀-pyrazine, C₆₀-1, 3, 5-triazine, C₆₀-pyridazine), Li@C₆₀-pyridazine is found to present largest first hyperpolarizability up to 67,945 au in all compounds. All compounds are transparency in the deep ultraviolet spectrum range. We hope that this study could provide a new idea for designing nonlinear optical materials using π-π systems as building blocks.     

Effects of the biological backbone on stacking interactions at DNA-protein interfaces: the interplay between the backbone···π and π···π components

The (gas-phase) MP2/6-31G*(0.25) π···π stacking interactions between the five natural bases and the aromatic amino acids calculated using (truncated) monomers composed of conjugated rings and/or (extended) monomers containing the biological backbone (either the protein backbone or deoxyribose sugar) were previously compared. Although preliminary energetic results indicated that the protein backbone strengthens, while the deoxyribose sugar either strengthens or weakens, the interaction calculated using truncated models, the reasons for these effects were unknown. The present work explains these observations by dissecting the interaction energy of the extended complexes into individual backbone···π and π···π components. Our calculations reveal that the total interaction energy of the extended complex can be predicted as a sum of the backbone···π and π···π components, which indicates that the biological backbone does not significantly affect the ring system through π-polarization. Instead, we find that the backbone can indirectly affect the magnitude of the π···π contribution by changing the relative ring orientations in extended dimers compared with truncated dimers. Furthermore, the strengths of the individual backbone···π contributions are determined to be significant (up to 18 kJ mol(-1)). Therefore, the origin of the energetic change upon model extension is found to result from a balance between an additional (attractive) backbone···π component and differences in the strength of the π···π interaction. In addition, to understand the effects of the biological backbone on the stacking interactions at DNA-protein interfaces in nature, we analyzed the stacking interactions found in select DNA-protein crystal structures, and verified that an additive approach can be used to examine the strength of these interactions in biological complexes. Interestingly, although the presence of attractive backbone···π contacts is qualitatively confirmed using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), QTAIM electron density analysis is unable to quantitatively predict the additive relationship of these interactions. Most importantly, this work reveals that both the backbone···π and π···π components must be carefully considered to accurately determine the overall stability of DNA-protein assemblies.     

Structural characterization of nitro-substituted phenoxyiminato nickel complexes; inter-molecular π-π interactions in the solid states and effect of the electron drawing groups on catalytic activity

Three phenoxyiminato nickel complexes [(L)Ni(PPh₃)(Ph)] have been prepared by the introduction of the electron drawing nitro substitutes on ortho or para-position of phenoxy and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Experimental and theory calculation suggested that the ortho and para nitro groups may be equally responsible for the small net charge on the central metal atoms because the interplanar angles between o-nitro planes and aromatic rings (28.7-37.3°) are much higher than those between p-nitro planes and aromatic rings (8.2-13.8°). In the solid states of these nickel complexes there exist the short inter-molecular π-π stacking interactions with the distances of 3.5828 Å (ortho-nitro), 3.5844 Å (para-nitro), and 3.0929 Å (ortho- and para-nitro) between two neighboring nitro-phenyl moieties.     

The π-acceptor effect in the substitution reactions of tridentate N-donor ligand complexes of platinum(ii): a detailed kinetic and mechanistic study

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of complexes [Pt{4'-(2'-CH(3)-phenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine}Cl]CF(3)SO(3), [CH(3)PhPtCl], [Pt{4'-(2'-CH(3)-phenyl)-6-(3'-isoquinoyl)-2,2'bipyridine}Cl]SbF(6), [CH(3)PhisoqPtCl], [Pt{2-(2'-pyridyl)-1,10-phenanthroline}Cl]Cl, [pyPhenPtCl], and [Pt(terpyridine)Cl](+), [PtCl] with a series of nucleophiles: thiourea (TU), N,N-dimethylthiourea (DMTU), N,N,N,N-tetramethylthiourea (TMTU), I(-), Br(-), and SCN(-) were studied in 0.1 M LiCF(3)SO(3) in methanol (in the presence of 10 mM LiCl). The reactivity of the investigated complexes follows the order pyPhenPtCl > PtCl > CH(3)PhPtCl > CH(3)PhisoqPtCl. The lability of the chloride ligand is dependent on the strength of π-backbonding properties of the spectator ligands around the platinum centre. The experimental data is strongly supported by DFT calculations. The dependence of the second-order rate constants on concentration of the nucleophiles as well as the large negative values reported for the activation entropy (ΔS(?)) confirmed an associative mechanism of substitution.     

Toward the self-assembly of metal-organic nanotubes using metal-metal and π-stacking interactions: bis(pyridylethynyl) silver(I) metallo-macrocycles and coordination polymers

Shape-persistent macrocycles and planar organometallic complexes are beginning to show considerable promise as building blocks for the self-assembly of a variety of supramolecular materials including nanofibers, nanowires, and liquid crystals. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a family of planar di- and tri-silver(I) containing metallo-macrocycles designed to self-assemble into novel metal-organic nanotubes through a combination of π-stacking and metal-metal interactions. The silver(I) complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the solution data are consistent with the formation of the metallo-macrocycles. Four of the complexes have been structurally characterized using X-ray crystallography. However, only the di-silver(I) complex formed with 1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)benzene is found to maintain its macrocyclic structure in the solid state. The di-silver(I) shape-persistent macrocycle assembles into a nanoporous chicken-wire like structure, and ClO(4)(-) anions and disordered H(2)O molecules fill the pores. The silver(I) complexes of 2,6-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)pyridine and 1,4-di(3-pyridyl)buta-1,3-diyne ring-open and crystallize as non-porous coordination polymers.     

Single-turn helix-coil strands stabilized by metal···metal and π-π interactions of the alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridyl moieties in meta-phenylene ethynylene foldamers

Dinuclear alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridyl complexes with oligomeric bridge consisting of five repeating meta-phenylene ethynylene (mPE) units have been found to exhibit a strong tendency to fold back onto themselves to form short helical strands through the stabilization of Pt···Pt and π-π interactions. The steric bulk of the terpyridine ligands and the length of the oligomeric bridge have been found to affect the extent of the intramolecular Pt···Pt interaction that governs the stabilization of the short helical strand in solution. Their folding properties via Pt···Pt and π-π stacking interactions have been studied by (1)H NMR, 2D ROESY NMR, electronic absorption, and emission spectroscopies.     

Formation of 1:2 host-guest complexes based on triptycene-derived macrotricycle and paraquat derivatives: anion-π interactions between PF6(-) and bipyridinium rings in the solid state

A triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host containing two dibenzo-[30]-crown-10 moieties forms stable 1:2 host-guest complexes with paraquat derivatives in both solution and the solid state, in which anion-π interactions between PF(6)(-) and the bipyridinium rings play an important role. Moreover, it was found that binding and release of the guest molecules in the complexes could be easily controlled by the addition and removal of potassium ions.     

Copper(I) coordination polymers of N,N'-bis[3-(methylthio)propyl]pyromellitic diimide: crystal transformation and solvatochromism by halogen-π interactions

Four copper(I) coordination polymers with ligand N,N'-bis[3-(methylthio)propyl]pyromellitic diimide (L), [Cu(2)I(2)L(2)](n) (1), [Cu(2)I(2)L(2)](n) (2), [Cu(2)I(2)L](n) (3), and {[Cu(2)I(2)L(2)]·CH(2)Cl(2)}(n) (4), have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural transformations between the polymers were controlled by the appropriate solvent composition, mole ratio, or temperature. When a 1:1 CuI/L ratio was employed, dimorphic products, 1 and 2, based on a rhomboid Cu(2)I(2) cluster were obtained from an acetonitrile solution and from a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solution with ultrasonication, respectively. When a 1:2 CuI/L ratio was employed, polymer 3 based on infinite stair-step polymer (CuI)(∞) was crystallized. Crystalline product 4 was obtained by the transformation of 1 in a mixed-solvent system with a 1:5 acetonitrile/dichloromethane ratio. Polymers 1-4 were transformed into polymer 3 at 197 °C. X-ray structures of 2-4 show short distances (3.406-3.667 ?) between halogens (I(-) and Cl) and aromatic rings. 1 and 4 show solvatochromism; upon inclusion of the colorless electron donor CH(2)Cl(2), the red color changes as a result of the formation of a chloride-π charge-transfer complex 4 of a pale-colored electron acceptor, 1. Therefore, the origin of the red color from 2 and 3 is also assigned as iodide-to-electron-deficient aromatic π charge transfer.     

NMR investigation of substituent effects on strength of π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions to supports the formation of [2 + 2] photodimerization in (para-X-ba):::(bpe)||(bpe):::(para-X-ba) complexes

We have investigated the ability of para-X-phenylboronic acid (para-X-ba) to enable reactivity of trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) to direct intermolecular [2 + 2] photodimerization via computational chemistry. Para-X-ba would support the formation of discrete four component hydrogen bonded molecular assemblies wherein π-π stacking of a pyridyl-functionalized alkene would conform to undergo [2 + 2] photodimerization.We have demonstrated by computational ¹H NMR data the effect of electron-withdrawing and donating substituents in (para-X-ba):::(bpe)||(bpe):::(para-X-ba) complexes to assemble bpe into π-π stacking via –(B)O − H···N– hydrogen bonds to react to afford (para-X-ba):::tpcb:::(para-X-ba) complexes (X = NO2, CN, F, Cl, Br, C(O)CH₃, OCH₃, OH, NH₂ and H where || and ∙∙∙ denote π-π stacking and hydrogen bonds).Also, these interactions have been investigated at M05-2X/6-311++G** level of theory in detail in terms of the energetic, geometrical parameters and electron density properties to characterize and to examine the strengthening of the interactions. There are good relationships between the NMR, AIM, energy data and Hammett constants.     

Towards catenanes using π-stacking interactions and their influence on the spin-state of a bis(2,2':6',2"terpyridine)iron(II) domain

The ligand 6,6"bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2"terpyridine (2) has been prepared and characterized; deprotection using pyridinium chloride leads to the formation of 6,6"bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2"terpyridinium chloride ([H3]Cl). Treatment of the latter with 3-(2-(2-bromoethoxy)ethoxy)prop-1-ene under basic conditions yields ligand 4 containing pendant, alkene-terminated chains. Whereas direct complexation of 4 with ruthenium(II) proved problematical, the homoleptic complexes [Fe(2)(2)][PF(6)](2) and [Ru(2)(2)][PF(6)](2) were prepared in good to moderate yields. In the solid state, both complexes exhibit multiple face-to-face π-stacking of arene and pyridine rings which influences the coordination geometry about the metal ion. Consequential weakening of the ligand field results in [Fe(2)(2)][PF(6)](2) being high-spin. Variable temperature solution (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies confirm the iron(ii) centre remains high-spin between 200 and 295 K. The paramagnetically shifted (1)H NMR spectrum exhibits signals in the range δ 109.7 to -66.5 ppm and has been fully assigned. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) has been used to correlate the observed proton line-widths to the distances of the protons from the metal centre and these are in good agreement with the Fe···H separations observed in the solid state. The [Fe(2)(2)](2+) ion undergoes two dynamic processes (i) rotation of the pendant phenyl rings which is fast on the NMR timescale at 200 K, and (ii) twisting and sliding of the aromatic rings of the tpy and anisyl units which interconverts the two enantiomers of [Fe(2)(2)](2+) at 295 K.     

Trinuclear-based copper(I) pyrazolate polymers: effect of trimer π-acid···halide/pseudohalide interactions on the supramolecular structure and phosphorescence

Under different situations, solvothermal reactions of 3,5-diethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-pyrazole (HL) with CuX or CuX(2) (X = Cl, Br, I, and SCN) afforded five copper(I) coordination polymers, {CuX[CuL](3)·solvent}(n) (X = Cl, 1; Br, 2; I, 3; X = SCN and solvent = MeCN, 4) and {Cu(2)I(2)[CuL](3)}(n) (5). X-ray diffraction analyses show that all the complexes have trinuclear [CuL](3) (referred as Cu(3)) secondary building units featuring planar nine-membered Cu(3)N(6) metallocycles with three peripheral pyridyl groups as connectors, which are further linked by CuX or Cu(2)X(2) motifs to generate single- or double-strand chains. Interestingly, the Cu(I) atoms within the Cu(3) units in 1-5 behave as coordinatively unsaturated π-acid centers to contact soft halide/pseudohalide X atoms of CuX and Cu(2)X(2) motifs, which lead to novel sandwich substructures of [(Cu(3))(Cu(2)X(2))(Cu(3))] (X = Br, I, and SCN) in 2-4. In addition, both the π-acid [Cu(3)]···X contacts and intertrimer Cu···Cu interactions contribute to the one-dimensional (1D) double-strand and 2D/3D supramolecular structures of 1-5. All of these complexes exhibit high thermostability and bright solid-state phosphorescence upon exposure to UV radiation at room temperature. The emissions arise from the mixtures of metal-centered charge transfer, metal to ligand charge transfer, and halide-to-ligand charge transfer excited states, and can be tuned by intermolecular π-acid [Cu(3)]···halide/pseudohalide contacts.     

The relevance of the fluorine interactions in the supramolecular structure of a complex constructed from copper(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate and the 4′-(3-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine ligand. Novel C-F/π synthons involving the π-system of the terpyridine moieties and those of the hexafluoroacetylacetonate chelate rings

Reaction of 4′-(3-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (pyterpy) with Cu(hfacac)₂ (hfacac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) led to the formation of the novel compound [Cu₃(hfacac)₄(μ-pyterpy)₂][Cu(hfacac)₃]₂ (1). The structure is composed of a trinuclear [Cu₃(hfacac)₄(μ-pyterpy)₂]²⁺ cation and two [Cu(hfacac)₃]⁻ anionic species. The cation consists of a chain of three Cu^II atoms connected by bridging pyterpy ligands. The [Cu(hfacac)₃]⁻ anions have the hfacac ligands coordinated in their usual chelating manner through their carbonyl O donors. Besides the coulombian forces, the ionic species are fixed by C-H?O, C-H?F, F?F and a variety of unusual inter-ion C-F?π interactions that control the packing motif. These π-interactions involve the terpyridine groups from the pyterpy ligand and the five-membered rings of the chelating hexafluoroacetylacetonate anions.     

An efficient and solvent-free one-pot multi-component synthesis of novel highly substituted pyrido[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile derivatives catalyzed by tetramethylguanidine

Abstract

An efficient solvent-free access towards highly substituted pyrido[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile derivatives has been established through multi-component reaction of 1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridin‐3‐amine, aldehyde, 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile catalyzed by 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG). The reaction allows the formation of one C?C and two C?N bonds with high yield. The significant features of this solvent-free reaction include mild reaction condition, readily accessible substrates, short reaction time, excellent yield, and broad substrate scopes as well as simple one-pot operation, no column chromatographic purification, which makes this strategy highly attractive.