Understanding the Fundamental Role of π/π, σ/σ, and σ/π Dispersion Interactions in Shaping Carbon‐Based Materials

Noncovalent interactions involving aromatic rings, such as π‐stacking and CH/π interactions, are central to many areas of modern chemistry. However, recent studies proved that aromaticity is not required for stacking interactions, since similar interaction energies were computed for several aromatic and aliphatic dimers. Herein, the nature and origin of π/π, σ/σ, and σ/π dispersion interactions has been investigated by using dispersion‐corrected density functional theory, energy decomposition analysis, and the recently developed noncovalent interaction (NCI) method. Our analysis shows that π/π and σ/σ stacking interactions are equally important for the benzene and cyclohexane dimers, explaining why both compounds have similar boiling points. Also, similar dispersion forces are found in the benzene???methane and cyclohexane???methane complexes. However, for systems larger than naphthalene, there are enhanced stacking interactions in the aromatic dimers adopting a parallel‐displaced configuration compared to the analogous saturated systems. Although dispersion plays a decisive role in stabilizing all the complexes, the origin of the π/π, σ/σ, and σ/π interactions is different. The NCI method reveals that the dispersion interactions between the hydrogen atoms are responsible for the surprisingly strong aliphatic interactions. Moreover, whereas σ/σ and σ/π interactions are local, the π/π stacking are inherently delocalized, which give rise to a non‐additive effect. These new types of dispersion interactions between saturated groups can be exploited in the rational design of novel carbon materials.     

Nachweis von π → σ-Umlagerungen bei Ligandenverdrängungsreaktionen von π-Allyl-π-cyclopentadienyl-Palladiumkomplexen

It has been proved by NMR. measurements at low temperatures that the ligand displacement reactions of (π-all)Pd(π-C₅H₅) and Lewis bases L yielding PdL₄ proceed by a π → σ rearrangement of the allylic group as the primary step. The organic reaction product is the 1-isomer of the corresponding allylcyclopentadiene but in the reactions of (π-1,1,2-Me₃C₃H₂)Pd(π-C₅H₅) with L besides the isomeric allylcyclopentadienes also 2,3-dimethylbutadiene and cyclopentadiene are formed. The reaction mechanism will be discussed.     

Selective Population of the n, π* and π, π* Triplet States of 1-Indanones

The two components of the dual phosphorescence of 1-indanone ( 1 ) and six related ketones ( 2–7 ) possess different excitation spectra exhibiting the vibrational progression characteristic of the S₀ → S₁ (n, π*) transition (shorter-lived emission) and two bands of the S₀ → S_{2 and 3} (π,π*) 0–0 transitions, respectively. The most favorable intersystem crossing routes are S₁ (n, π*) → T (n, π*) and S_2,3 (π*) → T (π, π*). Internal conversion to S₁ competes more effectively with S (π, π*) → T (π, π*) intersystem crossing only from higher vibrational levels of the S₂ and S₃ states.     

Approaches for interpreting π electronic states and π electronic transitions

Scope and limitations of different approaches which enable π electronic systems of topologically equivalent structures to be compared have been examined. Particular attention has been paid to analyses in terms of molecular subsystems.     

Increasing the π–π Interactions in Trinuclear NiII3 Triplesalophen Complexes

The new triplesalophen ligand H₆kruse^Br was synthesized as a variation of the triplesalophen ligands H₆baron^R by replacing a phenyl by a methyl group at the terminal ketimine in order to allow closer contacts of trinuclear complexes due to less steric hindrance by the smaller methyl group. The ligand H₆kruse^Br was used to synthesize the trinuclear complex [(kruse^Br)Ni^II₃], which is insoluble in organic solvents despite the coordinating solvent pyridine. Recrystallization from pyridine results in the complex [(kruse^Br){Ni₂(Ni(py)₂)}], which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Two Ni^II ions are four‐coordinate by the salophen‐like subunits while the third Ni^II ion is six‐coordinate by two additional pyridine donors. The analysis of the molecular and crystal structure in comparison to that of Ni^II₃ complexes of (baron^R)^6– reveals that the methyl group in [(kruse^Br){Ni₂(Ni(py)₂)}] results in less ligand folding and in closer contact distance of two Ni^II₃ complexes by π–π interactions of 3.2 Å. This indicates that trinuclear complexes of H₆kruse^Br are more suitable than complexes of H₆baron^R as molecular building blocks for the anticipated synthesis of nonanuclear single‐molecule magnets.