Aurophilicity in Tetraphenylphosphonium 7,8‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐7,8‐dicarba‐nido‐undecaborato‐dibromo‐digold(I) [PPh4][{(PPh2)2‐C2B9H10}(AuBr)2]

Reactions of tetraphenylphosphonium dibromoaurate(I) with 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane in 2:1 ratio in acetone solution yields brown crystals shown to be the title compound. A single crystal X‐ray study shows coordination of AuBr moieties by the phosphorus atoms of the ligand (Au‐P 2.253(1), 2.246(1); Ag‐Br 2.4041(7), 2.4067(7) Å), permitting a close Au···Au contact (2.9536(3) Å) with concomitant bending of the P‐Au‐Br arrays (173.99(4), 166.14(4)°) and a Br‐Au···Au‐Br torsion of 47.80(2)°.     

Two‐Dimensional and Three‐Dimensional Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Built from 4‐Hydroxypyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic Acid Ligand

4‐Hydroxypyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid (H₃CAM) reacts with Ln₂O₃(Ln = La, Ce) or Ln(NO₃)₃ (Ln = Sm, Dy, Gd, Ho) in hydrothermal reactions to form a series of lanthanide coordination polymers 1 – 6 . Elemental analysis, IR spectra and X‐ray crystal structure analysis were carried out to determine the composition and crystal structure of 1 – 6 . Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and contain tetranuclear metallic ring unit and 3D framework. 4 – 6 are isostructural contain 2D network. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 3 and 4 at room temperature were also studied.     

Supramolecular [60]Fullerene Liquid Crystals Formed By Self‐Organized Two‐Dimensional Crystals

Fullerene‐based liquid crystalline materials have both the excellent optical and electrical properties of fullerene and the self‐organization and external‐field‐responsive properties of liquid crystals (LCs). Herein, we demonstrate a new family of thermotropic [60]fullerene supramolecular LCs with hierarchical structures. The [60]fullerene dyads undergo self‐organization driven by π–π interactions to form triple‐layer two‐dimensional (2D) fullerene crystals sandwiched between layers of alkyl chains. The lamellar packing of 2D crystals gives rise to the formation of supramolecular LCs. This design strategy should be applicable to other molecules and lead to an enlarged family of 2D crystals and supramolecular liquid crystals.     

New Phases in the Lithiumnitridovanadate System — The Solid Solution Li7‐2xMgx[VN4] with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1

Solid solution phases Li_7‐2xMg_x[VN₄] (0 < x ≤ 1) with varying Mg‐content are obtained as yellow microcrystalline powders from heat treatment of mixtures of VN, Li₃N and Mg₃N₂ or from mixtures of Li₇[VN₄] and Mg₃N₂ at 1370 K in N₂ atmosphere at ambient pressure. At substitution parameter values of x > 0.5 a subsequent distortion from the ideal cubic unit cell to an orthorhombic unit cell is observed. The crystal structure of Li_7‐2xMg_x[VN₄] with x ≈ 1 was refined from neutron and X‐ray powder diffraction data (space group Pbca, No. 61, a = 963.03(3) pm, b = 958.44(3) pm, c = 951.93(2) pm, neutron pattern 14° — 156° 2θ, step non‐linear ≈ 0.0782° 2θ, No. of measured points 1816, R_p = 0.089, R_wp = 0.115, R_Bragg = 0.155, R_F = 0.114; X‐ray pattern 10° — 98° 2θ, step 0.005° 2θ, No. of measured points 17600, R_p = 0.028, R_wp = 0.045, R_Bragg = 0.113, R_F = 0.133, structure variables: 45). The crystal structure resembles a Li₂O type superstructure with the atomic arrangement of β‐Li₇[VN₄] and with two crystallographic Li‐sites each substituted by Mg with statistical occupation factors of 0.5. Chemical analyses prove the composition and XAS spectroscopy at the V K‐edge support the +5 oxidation state assignment for vanadium. XAS data also support the tetrahedral coordination of vanadium by N as indicated by the structure refinements.     

Synthesis and Structures of N‐Alkyl‐1,13‐dimethoxychromeno‐ [2,3,4‐kl]acridinium Salts: The Missing Azaoxa[4]helicenium

Helical structures are interesting due to their inherent chirality. Helicenium ions are triarylmethylium structures twisted into configurationally stable helicenes through the introduction of two heteroatom bridges between the three aryl substituents. Of the configurationally stable [4]helicenium ions, derivatives with sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen bridges have already been synthesised. However, one [4]helicenium ion has proven elusive, until now. We present herein the first synthesis of the 1,13‐dimethoxychromeno[2,3,4‐kl]acridinium (DMCA⁺) [4]helicenium ion. A series of six differently N‐substituted DMCA⁺ ions as their hexafluorophosphate salts are reported. Their cation stability was evaluated and it was found that DMCA⁺ is ideally suited as a phase‐transfer catalyst with a pK_R+ of 13.0. The selectivity of nucleophilic addition to the central carbon atom of DMCA⁺ has been demonstrated with diastereotopic ratios of up to 1:10. The single‐crystal structures of several of the DMCA⁺ salts were determined, and structural differences between N‐aryl‐ and N‐alkyl‐substituted cations were observed. The results of a comparative study of the photophysics of the [4]helicenium ions are presented. DMCA⁺ is found to be a potent red‐emitting dye with a fluorescence quantum yield of 20 % in apolar solvents and a fluorescence lifetime of 12 ns. [4]Helicenium ions, including DMCA⁺, all suffer from solvent‐induced quenching, which reduces the fluorescence quantum yields significantly (?_fl<5 %) in polar solvents. A difference in photophysical properties is observed between N‐aryl‐ and N‐alkyl‐substituted DMCA⁺, which has tentatively been attributed to a difference in molecular conformation.     

Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Molecular Organization of Schiff‐Base Derivatives

We have designed and synthesized a series of Schiff base derivatives, and studied their structural features in two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) states by combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X‐ray diffraction experiments. The Schiff‐base derivatives with short alkyl chains crystallize easily, which allows a detailed structural analysis by X‐ray diffraction. Due to the strong adsorbate–substrate interactions, those bases with long alkyl chains easily form 2D assemblies on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The STM images indicate also that the introduction of two methoxy groups into the molecule can change the structure of these 2D assemblies as a result of the increased steric hindrances, for example: the Schiff‐base derivative, bearing both methoxy groups and C₁₆H₃₃ tails, forms 2D Moiré patterns, and an alignment of pairing Schiff‐base molecules may be easily resolved. Conversely, the Schiff base derivative, bearing solely C₁₆H₃₃ tails, forms 2D non‐Moiré patterns. It is demonstrated that the 3D structural features result from the compromise of intermolecular interactions of different molecular moieties. However, there is one more factor, which also governs the 2D structure: the adsorbate‐substrate interaction. The 3D crystal structure may thus help to understand many factors involved in the formation of 2D structures, and would be helpful for designing new molecular assemblies with tailoring functions.     

Two‐Dimensional Calix[4]arene‐based Metal–Organic Coordination Networks of Tunable Crystallinity

A flexible and versatile method to fabricate two‐dimensional metal–organic coordination networks (MOCNs) by bottom‐up self‐assembly is described. 2D crystalline layers were formed at the air–water interface, coordinated by ions from the liquid phase, and transferred onto a solid substrate with their crystallinity preserved. By using an inherently three‐dimensional amphiphile, namely 25,26,27,28‐tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene‐5,11,17,23‐tetracarboxylic acid, and a copper metal node, large and monocrystalline dendritic MOCN domains were formed. The method described allows for the fabrication of monolayers of tunable crystallinity on liquid and solid substrates. It can be applied to a large range of differently functionalized organic building blocks, also beyond macrocycles, which can be interconnected by diverse metal nodes.     

Crystallographic report: Diisopropylammonium [3‐(2‐thienyl)‐2‐sulfanylpropenoato]triphenylstannate

The title compound comprises trigonal bipyramidal SnPh₃(tspa) anions and ⁱPr₂NH₂ cations linked into centrosymmetric dimers by N? H·O hydrogen bonds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isolation and Structural Characterization of Di‐ and Tetra‐protonated Forms of the Macrocyclic Hexaamine trans‐6,13‐Dimethyl‐1,4,8‐11‐tetraazacyclodecane‐6,13‐diamine

Cations derived by protonation of the ligand title compound (L¹) have been structurally characterized in their di‐ and tetra‐ protonated forms in the salts [H₂L¹][ClO₄]₂·2H₂O and [H₄L¹][ZnCl₄]₂·4H₂O. In both structures, one half of the formula unit comprises the asymmetric unit of the structure, the macrocycle being centrosymmetric, with the two macrocycles adopting similar conformations. In both salts, a pair of diagonally opposed macrocyclic secondary amine groups are protonated; in the [H₄L¹]⁴⁺ salt, the additional pair of protons are accommodated on the exocyclic pendant amine groups. The dispositions of the pendent amines differ between the two structures, being ‘equatorial’ with respect to the macrocyclic ring in the [H₂L¹]²⁺ salt, and ‘axial’ in the [H₄L¹]⁴⁺ salt. In other structurally characterized compounds containing [H₄L¹]⁴⁺ the equatorial disposition was found in the ferricyanide adduct, while in the tetraperchlorate salt the axial disposition was identified. The differences in disposition of the exocyclic groups are ascribed to the extensive H‐bonding in the lattices.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Tetrakis(methimazolyl)borates Li[Bmt4] and [Ru(p‐cymene)(Bmt4)][PF6]

The lithium tetrakis(methimazolyl)borate, Li[Bmt₄], is accessible from the reaction of Li[BH₄] with four equivalents of methimazole. The crystal structure of Li[Bmt₄] supported by four water molecules is described. Reaction of Li[Bmt₄] with [Ru(p‐cymene)Cl₂]₂ and subsequent treatment with NH₄PF₆ in CH₃CN results in the formation of the complex [Ru(p‐cymene)(Bmt₄)][PF₆]. In addition, we report the result of the X‐ray structure analysis of the chiral Ru complex [Ru(p‐cymene)(Bmt₄)][PF₆].     

1,3‐Dihydro‐1‐hydroxy‐3‐morpholin‐4‐yl‐2,1‐benzoxaborole: product of the reaction of o‐formylphenylboronic acid with morpholine

o‐Formylphenylboronic acid reacts with morpholine to form 1,3‐dihydro‐1‐hydroxy‐3‐morpholin‐4‐yl‐2,1‐benzoxaborole. The typical hydrogen‐bonded dimer motif with a planar benzoxaborole fragment has been obtained in the solid state. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ammonolysis of 1,2‐Bis[dichloro(methyl)silyl]ethane. On the Structure of 1,3,6,8‐Tetramethyl‐2,7,11,12‐tetraaza‐1,3,6,8‐tetrasila‐tricyclo[6.2.1.13,6]‐dodecane

Ammonolysis of 1,2‐bis[dichloro(methyl)silyl]ethane afforded a crystalline tricyclic silazane along with polymeric material. The crystalline material could be isolated in pure state. It was analyzed by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy in solution, by ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy in the solid state, as well as by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. The title compound exists as a single isomer in solution, whereas in the solid state the presence of several modifications is indicated, in particular by the solid‐state MAS NMR spectra.     

K2NdP2S7: A Mixed‐Valent Neodymium(III) Thiophosphate According to K4Nd2[PS4]2[P2S6] with Discrete [PS4]3– and [S3P–PS3]4– Anions

Pale blue, lath‐shaped single crystals of K₂NdP₂S₇ (≡ K₄Nd₂[PS₄]₂[P₂S₆]; monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 904.76(8), b = 677.38(6), c = 1988.7(2) pm, β = 97.295(5)°, Z = 2) are obtained by the reaction of Nd, S and P₂S₅ with an excess of KCl as a flux in evacuated silica tubes at 750 °C (7 d) which should produce Nd[PS₄] instead. Beside isolated [PS₄]^3– tetrahedra, the crystal structure contains discrete ethane‐analogous [P₂S₆]^4– (≡ [S₃P–PS₃]^4–) units in staggered conformation with tetravalent phosphorus cations and a P–P distance of 219 pm. The two crystallographically different potassium cations show coordination numbers of nine and ten in the shape of distorted mono‐ and bicapped square antiprisms. Finally, the Nd³⁺ cations are surrounded by eight sulfur atoms arranged as (uncapped) square antiprisms. The entire structure is dominated by (K1)⁺ containing {(Nd₂[PS₄]₂[P₂S₆])^4–} layers parallel (101) which are three‐dimensionally interconnected by (K2)⁺ cations.     

One‐Dimensional Channels Encapsulated in Supramolecular Networks Constructed of Zinc(II), Manganese(II), or ­Nickel(II) Atoms with 3‐(Carboxymethyl)‐2, 7‐dimethyl‐3H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐5‐carboxylic Acid

Four complexes with supramolecular architectures, namely, MZCA · 3H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺ · [MZCA]₂ · [H₂O]₆ ( 2 ), [Mn(MZCA)₂(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O ( 3 ), and [Ni(MZCA)₂(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O ( 4 ) [MZCA = 3‐(carboxymethyl)‐2, 7‐dimethyl‐3H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐5‐carboxylic acid], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 display a remarkable 3D network with 1D hydrophilic channels. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural and exhibit a 3D structure encapsulating 1D 24‐membered ring microporous channels. The UV/Vis and fluorescent spectra were measured to characterize complexes 1 – 4 . The thermal stability of complexes 2 – 4 were also examined.     

Chlor(trifluorphosphan)gold(I): [Au(PF3)Cl]

Chloro(trifluorophosphane)gold(I): [Au(PF₃)Cl] X‐ray quality crystals of [Au(PF₃)Cl] (orthorhombic, Pnma) are obtained from a toluene / pentane solution at 6 °C. According to the result of the X‐ray structural analysis, [Au(PF₃)Cl] contains an almost linear F₃P‐Au‐Cl unit. The shortest Au‐Au contacts between two of these units are 3.3495(9) Å.     

Experimental and quantum chemical calculational studies on N‐[4‐(3‐Methyl‐3‐phenyl‐cyclobutyl)‐thiazol‐2‐yl]‐N′‐pyridin‐3ylmethylene‐hydrazine

The title molecule, N‐[4‐(3‐Methyl‐3‐phenyl‐cyclobutyl)‐thiazol‐2‐yl]‐N′‐pyridin‐3ylmethylene‐ hydrazine (C₂₀ H₂₀ N₄ S₁), was characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR, UV‐visible, and X‐ray determination. In addition to the molecular geometry from X‐ray experiment, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated using the Hartree‐Fock and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6‐31G(d, p) basis set. The calculated results show that optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters. By using time‐dependent density functional theory method, electronic absorption spectrum of the title compound has been predicted. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Structures and Dynamic Solution Behavior of Cationic,Two‐Coordinate Gold(I)–π‐Allene Complexes

A family of seven cationic gold complexes that contain both an alkyl substituted π‐allene ligand and an electron‐rich, sterically hindered supporting ligand was isolated in >90 % yield and characterized by spectroscopy and, in three cases, by X‐ray crystallography. Solution‐phase and solid‐state analysis of these complexes established preferential binding of gold to the less substituted C?C bond of the allene and to the allene π face trans to the substituent on the uncomplexed allenyl C?C bond. Kinetic analysis of intermolecular allene exchange established two‐term rate laws of the form rate=k₁[complex]+k₂[complex][allene] consistent with allene‐independent and allene‐dependent exchange pathways with energy barriers of ΔG^≠₁=17.4–18.8 and ΔG^≠₂=15.2–17.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively. Variable temperature (VT) NMR analysis revealed fluxional behavior consistent with facile (ΔG^≠=8.9–11.4 kcal mol^?1) intramolecular exchange of the allene π faces through η¹‐allene transition states and/or intermediates that retain a staggered arrangement of the allene substituents. VT NMR/spin saturation transfer analysis of [{P(tBu)₂o‐binaphthyl}Au(η²‐4,5‐nonadiene) ]⁺SbF₆^? ( 5 ), which contains elements of chirality in both the phosphine and allene ligands, revealed no epimerization of the allene ligand below the threshold for intermolecular allene exchange (ΔG^≠_298K=17.4 kcal mol^?1), which ruled out the participation of a η¹‐allylic cation species in the low‐energy π‐face exchange process for this complex.