One‐dimensional zinc‐based coord­in­ation polymers incorporating cyanate anions

Two one‐dimensional zinc‐based coordination polymers containing cyanate anions are reported. catena‐Poly[sodium [[tricyanato­zinc(II)]‐μ‐1,4‐diaza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane‐κ²N:N′]], {Na[Zn(NCO)₃(C₆H₁₂N₂)]}_n, consists of linear [tricyanato­zinc(II)]‐μ‐1,4‐diaza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane strands in which the Zn²⁺ cations adopt trigonal–bipyramidal coordination on sites of m2 point symmetry. Na⁺ cations lie between the strands on sites of m point symmetry, coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry by six O atoms of the cyanate anions. catena‐Poly[[dicyanato­zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Zn(NCO)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with Z′ = 5. The structure consists of zigzag strands formed by Zn²⁺ cations linked via 4,4′‐bipyridine. Each Zn²⁺ cation adopts a tetra­hedral coordination, with two sites occupied by 4,4′‐bipyridine and two cyanate anions completing the coordination sphere. The structure is closely comparable with the thio­cyanate and halide analogues [ZnX₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)] (X = NCS, Cl or Br).     

Biomimetic Ion Nanochannels as a Highly Selective Sequential Sensor for Zinc Ions Followed by Phosphate Anions

A novel biomimetic ion‐responsive multi‐nanochannel system is constructed by covalently immobilizing a metal‐chelating ligand, 2,2′‐dipicolylamine (DPA), in polyporous nanochannels prepared in a polymeric membrane. The DPA‐modified multi‐nanochannels show specific recognition of zinc ions over other common metal ions, and the zinc‐ion‐chelated nanochannels can be used as secondary sensors for HPO₄^2? anions. The immobilized DPA molecules act as specific‐receptor binding sites for zinc ions, which leads to the highly selective zinc‐ion response through monitoring of ionic current signatures. The chelated zinc ions can be used as secondary recognition elements for the capture of HPO₄^2? anions, thereby fabricating a sensing nanodevice for HPO₄^2? anions. The success of the DPA immobilization and ion‐responsive events is confirmed by measurement of the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle (CA), and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the systems. The proposed nanochannel sensing devices display remarkable specificity, high sensitivity, and wide dynamic range. In addition, control experiments performed in complex matrices suggest that this sensing system has great potential applications in chemical sensing, biotechnology, and many other fields.     

1H‐1,2,3‐Triazole: From Structure to Function and Catalysis

The heterocyclic family of azoles have recently become one of the most widely used members of the N‐heterocycles; the most prominent one being 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole and its derivatives. The sudden growth of interest in this structural motif was sparked by the advent of click chemistry, first described in the early 2000s. From the early days of click chemistry, when the accessibility of triazoles made them into one of the most versatile linkers, interest has slowly turned to the use of triazoles as functional building blocks. The presence of multiple N‐coordination sites and a highly polarized carbon atom allows for metal coordination and the complexation of anions by both hydrogen and halogen bonding. Exploitation of these multiple binding sites makes it possible for triazoles to be used in various functional materials, such as metallic and anionic sensors. More recently, triazoles have also shown their potential in catalytic systems, thus increasing their impact far beyond the initial purpose of click chemistry. This report gives an overview of the structure, functionalities, and use of triazoles with a focus on their use in catalytic systems.     

Bis(di‐2‐pyridylamine‐κ2N2,N2′)silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate: polar arrangement of trifluoromethanesulfonate anions in a pseudo‐centrosymmetric framework of coordination cations

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ag(C₁₀H₉N₂)₂]CF₃SO₃ or [Ag(dpa)₂]OTf (dpa is di‐2‐pyridylamine and OTf is the trifluoromethanesulfonate anion), contains two [Ag(dpa)₂]⁺ coordination cations and two OTf anions. The coordination geometry of the Ag^I atom is intermediate between square‐planar and tetrahedral, with similar deformations at the two symmetry‐independent metal centres. The dpa ligands coordinate in a bidentate chelating mode. The OTf anions are in the outer coordination sphere and bridge the coordination cations via N—H...O interactions to form two symmetry‐independent hydrogen‐bonded chains. The [Ag(dpa)₂]⁺ cations are arranged via interactions involving the aromatic groups into a pseudo‐centrosymmetric three‐dimensional framework with two types of channels, each confining congeners of one of the symmetry‐independent anions. The most interesting feature of this structure is its bulk polarity resulting from an approximately parallel alignment of the anions in the channels.     

A two‐dimensional undulating AgI coordination polymer constructed of Ag—C and Ag—O bonds: poly[[[μ3‐(5,6‐η):κO2:κO2‐(±)‐(1S,2S,3R,4R)‐3‐carboxy‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxylato]silver(I)] monohydrate]

The title coordination polymer, {[Ag(C₈H₇O₅)]·H₂O}_n, is built from Ag⁺ cations and singly protonated dehydronorcantharidin (SP‐DNC) anions, with a distorted trigonal‐planar geometry at the metal centre. The coordination number of Ag^I is three (with one Ag—π bond and two Ag—O bonds, one from each of three different SP‐DNC ligands), if only formal Ag–ligand bonds are considered, but can be regarded as five if longer weak Ag...O interactions are also included. The two‐dimensional corrugated‐sheet coordination polymer forms a non‐interpenetrating framework with (4.8²) topology. Disordered water molecules are sandwiched between the sheets.     

Poly[(μ4‐2,5‐dimethoxybenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)manganese(II)] and its zinc(II) analogue: three‐dimensional coordination polymers containing unusually coordinated metal centres

The title compounds, [Mn(C₁₀H₈O₆)]_n and [Zn(C₁₀H₈O₆)]_n, are isomorphous coordination polymers prepared from 2,5‐dimethoxyterephthalic acid (H₂dmt) and the respective metal(II) salts. Both complexes form three‐dimensional metal–organic frameworks with each M^II centre bridged by four 2,5‐dimethoxyterephthalate (dmt²⁻) anions, resulting in the same type of network topology. The asymmetric unit consists of one M^II cation on a twofold axis and one half of a dmt²⁻ anion (located on a centre of inversion). In the crystal structure, the M^II centres are coordinated in a rather unusual way, as there is a distorted tetrahedral inner coordination sphere formed by four carboxylate O atoms of four different dmt²⁻ anions, and an additional outer coordination sphere formed by two methoxy and two carboxylate O atoms, with each of the O atoms belonging to one of the four different dmt²⁻ anions forming the inner coordination sphere. Consideration of both coordination spheres results in a super‐dodecahedral coordination geometry for the M^II centres. Besides the numerous M^II...O interactions, both structures are further stabilized by weak C—H...O contacts.     

A novel three‐dimensional AgI coordination polymer based on mixed naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate and aminoacetate ligands

The three‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[[bis(μ₃‐2‐aminoacetato)di‐μ‐aqua‐μ₃‐(naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonato)‐hexasilver(I)] dihydrate], {[Ag₆(C₁₀H₆O₆S₂)(C₂H₄NO₂)₄(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, based on mixed naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate (L1) and 2‐aminoacetate (L2) ligands, contains two Ag^I centres (Ag1 and Ag4) in general positions, and another two (Ag2 and Ag3) on inversion centres. Ag1 is five‐coordinated by three O atoms from one L1 anion, one L2 anion and one water molecule, one N atom from one L2 anion and one Ag^I cation in a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. Ag2 is surrounded by four O atoms from two L2 anions and two water molecules, and two Ag^I cations in a slightly octahedral coordination geometry. Ag3 is four‐coordinated by two O atoms from two L2 anions and two Ag^I cations in a slightly distorted square geometry, while Ag4 is also four‐coordinated by two O atoms from one L1 and one L2 ligand, one N atom from another L2 anion, and one Ag^I cation, exhibiting a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. In the crystal structure, there are two one‐dimensional chains nearly perpendicular to one another (interchain angle = 87.0°). The chains are connected by water molecules to give a two‐dimensional layer, and the layers are further bridged by L1 anions to generate a novel three‐dimensional framework. Moreover, hydrogen‐bonding interactions consolidate the network.     

catena‐Poly[[[aqua[3‐(2‐pyridylsulfanyl)propionato N‐oxide‐κO1]copper(II)]‐μ‐[3‐(2‐pyridylsulfanyl)propionato N‐oxide‐κ3O3:O1,O1′] dihydrate]

In the title complex, {[Cu(C₈H₈NO₃S)₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n, the Cu^II cation has a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination environment consisting of five O atoms, one from a water molecule, one from an N—O group and the other three from the carboxylate groups of two 3‐(2‐pyridylsulfanyl)propionate N‐oxide anions. The aqua[3‐(2‐pyridylsulfanyl)propionato N‐oxide]copper(II) moieties are bridged by 3‐(2‐pyridylsulfanyl)propionate N‐oxide anions to form an infinite three‐dimensional coordination polymer with a zigzag chain structure. The crystal structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonds.     

Poly[[aqua(4,4′‐diazenediyldibenzoato‐κ4O,O′:O′′,O′′′)cadmium(II)]: a twofold interpenetrated three‐dimensional coordination polymer of PtS topology

In the title coordination compound, [Cd(C₁₄H₈N₂O₄)(H₂O)]_n, the Cd^II cation and the coordinated water molecule lie on a twofold axis, whereas the ligand lies on an inversion center. The Cd^II center is five‐coordinated in a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry by four carboxylate O atoms from four different 4,4′‐diazenediyldibenzoate (ddb) anions and one water O atom. The three‐dimensional frameworks thus formed by the bridging ddb anions interpenetrate to generate a three‐dimensional PtS‐type network. Additionally, the coordination water molecule and the carboxylate O atom form a hydrogen‐bonding interaction, stabilizing the three‐dimensional framework structure.     

Quantum chemistry of quantum size‐effects in semiconductors: Small clusters electronic structure calculations

Ab initio RHF SCF calculations are used for some small clusters M_xX_y, where M=Cd, Ag; X=S, I; and x, y≤7. Variation of electronic structure with size for some clusters with the bulklike tetrahedral coordination and with the lower symmetry allows one to predict their possible geometries which are compared with experimental data on the existence of the clusters. The chemical‐bonding factor (the chemical nature of bounded atoms, coordination number for metal and nonmetal atoms, hybridization, etc.) is of more importance for properties of the clusters than is the familiar quantum confinement effect of semiconductor clusters. The essential difference in regularities of small cluster formation is analyzed for CdS‐ and AgI‐based structures. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 71: 337–341, 1999     

Stanna‐closo‐dodecaborate: A New Ligand in Coordination Chemistry

Most of the divalent compounds of tin have a lone pair and hence can act as donors. In tin‐transition metal chemistry neutral molecules as well as anions have been studied as ligands. This research report summarizes recent research on coordination compounds with a closo‐heteroborate cage compound stanna‐closo‐dodecaborate [SnB₁₁H₁₁]^2?. The syntheses of the first coordination compounds and studies on the ligand abilities of this tin borate are discussed in this article.     

Multidentate Europium Chelates as Luminoionophores for Anion Recognition: Impact of Ligand Design on Sensitivity and Selectivity,and Applicability to Enzymatic Assays

The design of photoluminescent molecular probes for the selective recognition of anions is a major challenge for the development of optical chemical sensors. The reversible binding of anions to lanthanide centers is one promising option for the realization of anion sensors, because it leads in some cases to a strong luminescence increase by the replacement of quenching water molecules. Yet, it is an open problem to gain control of the sensitivity and selectivity of the luminescence response. Primarily, the selective detection of (poly)phosphate species such as nucleotides has emerged as a demanding task, because they are involved in many biological processes and enzymatic reactions. We designed a series of pyridyl‐based multidentate europium complexes (seven‐, six‐, and five‐dentate) including sensitizing chromophores and studied their luminescence intensity and lifetime responses to different (poly)phosphates (adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), pyrophosphate, and phosphate anions), and carboxyanions (citrate, malate, oxalacetate, succinate, α‐ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxalate, carbonate). The results reveal that the number of free coordination sites has a significant impact on the sensitivity and selectivity of the response. Because of its reversibility, the lanthanide probes can be applied to monitor the activity of ATP‐consuming enzymes such ATPases and apyrases, which is demonstrated by means of the five‐dentate complex.     

catena‐Poly[[(2,2′‐biimidazole‐κ2N,N′)chloro­copper(II)]‐μ‐chloro]

In the polymeric title compound, [CuCl₂(C₆H₆N₄)]_n, each Cu^II ion is five‐coordinated by four basal atoms (two N atoms from a 2,2′‐biimidazole mol­ecule and two Cl⁻ anions) and one axial Cl⁻ anion, in a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. Cl⁻ anions bridge the {Cu(C₆H₆N₄)Cl} units into one‐dimensional linear chains, which are reinforced by π–π inter­actions. Adjacent linear chains are linked by N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, resulting in a grid layer. The hydrogen‐bonding pattern can be described in graph‐set notation as C(9)R(9)R(14). This study extends our knowledge of the multifunctional properties of the 2,2′‐biimidazole ligand and of the coordination stereochemistry of copper(II).     

catena‐Poly[[[(di‐2‐pyridylamine‐κ2N2,N2′)copper(II)]‐μ‐benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ3O1,O1′:O3] monohydrate], a zigzag coordination polymer with strong π–π interactions

The novel title coordination polymer, {[Cu(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₀H₉N₃)]·H₂O}_n, synthesized by the slow‐diffusion method, takes the form of one‐dimensional zigzag chains built up of Cu^II cations linked by benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate (ipht) anions. An exceptional characteristic of this structure is that it belongs to a small group of metal–organic polymers where ipht is coordinated as a bridging tridentate ligand with monodentate and chelate coordination of individual carboxylate groups. The Cu^II cation has a highly distorted square‐pyramidal geometry formed by three O atoms from two ipht anions and two N atoms from a di‐2‐pyridylamine (dipya) ligand. The zigzag chains, which run along the b axis, further construct a three‐dimensional metal–organic framework via strong face‐to‐face π–π interactions and hydrogen bonds. A solvent water molecule is linked to the different carboxylate groups via hydrogen bonds. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses confirm the strong hydrogen bonding.     

Poly[[[diaqua­zinc(II)]‐bis(μ2‐3‐cyano‐4‐dicyano­methyl­ene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κ2N3:N3′)] dihydrate]

The coordination of the 3‐cyano‐4‐dicyano­methyl­ene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olate anion to Zn^II, the apical sites of which are occupied by two water mol­ecules, results in the formation of two‐dimensional layers of the title coordination polymer, {[Zn(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, in which the Zn^II cations lie on inversion centres in space group C2/c, with water ligands in the apical sites of octa­hedral geometry. Hydrogen bonds between coordinated and lattice water mol­ecules, and π–π stacking inter­actions between the anions link adjacent layers into a continuous framework.     

4‐Aminopyridinium 2‐(anthracen‐9‐yl)‐3‐oxo‐3H‐inden‐1‐olate monohydrate

The title compound, 2C₅H₇N₂⁺·2C₂₃H₁₃O₂⁻·H₂O, formed as a by‐product in the attempted synthesis of a nonlinear optical candidate molecule, contains two independent 4‐aminopyridinium cations and 2‐(anthracen‐9‐yl)‐3‐oxo‐3H‐inden‐1‐olate anions with one solvent water molecule. This is the first reported structure containing these anions. The two anions are not planar, having different interplanar angles between the anthracenyl and inden‐1‐olate moieties of 59.07 (5) and 83.92 (5)°. The crystal packing, which involves strong classical hydrogen bonds and one C—H...π interaction, appears to account for both the nonplanarity and this difference.     

catena‐Poly[[aquacopper(II)]‐μ‐hydroxido‐μ‐naphthalene‐1‐carboxylato‐κ2O:O′]: effect of a bulky aromatic skeleton in self‐assembly

In the title coordination polymer, [Cu(C₁₁H₇O₂)(OH)(H₂O)]_n, the Cu^II center is five‐coordinated by two O atoms from two different naphthalene‐1‐carboxylate (L) ligands, one O atom from one coordinated water molecule and two O atoms from two hydroxide anions. L ligands and hydroxide anions jointly bridge adjacent Cu^II centers to generate a one‐dimensional chain along the b‐axis direction. The results reveal that the steric bulk of the naphthalene ring system in L may play an important role in the formation of the title complex.     

Dual‐Sensitized Luminescent Europium(ΙΙΙ) and Terbium(ΙΙΙ) Complexes as Bioimaging and Light‐Responsive Therapeutic Agents

Dual‐photosensitized stable Eu^ΙΙΙ and Tb^ΙΙΙ complexes, namely [Eu(dpq)(tfnb)₃] ( 1 ) and [Tb(dpq)(tfnb)₃] ( 2 ), in which dpq=dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3′‐f]quinoxaline and Htfnb=4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐(2‐napthyl)‐1,3‐butanedione, were designed as bioimaging and light‐responsive therapeutic agents. Their X‐ray structures, photophysical properties, biological interactions, photoinduced DNA damage, photocytotoxicity, and cellular uptake properties were studied. Discrete mononuclear complexes adopt an eight‐coordinated {LnN₂O₆} distorted square antiprism geometry with bidentate N,N‐donor dpq and O,O‐donor tfnb ligands. The designed probes have the advantage of dual‐sensitizing antennae (dpq, Htfnb) to modulate their desirable optical properties for cellular imaging and light‐responsive intracellular damage. The remarkable photostability, absence of inner‐sphere water (q<1), and longer excited‐state lifetimes of the complexes make them suitable as cellular‐imaging probes. The dpq ³T state is well located energetically to allow efficient energy transfer (ET) to the emissive ⁵D₀ and ⁵D₄ states of Eu^ΙΙΙ and Tb^ΙΙΙ. This leads to higher quantum yields (φ=0.15–0.20) in aqueous media and makes these compounds suitable cellular‐imaging probes. The complexes display significant binding ability toward DNA and bovine serum albumin (K≈10⁵ m ^?1). They effectively cleave supercoiled DNA to its nicked circular form at λ=365 nm through photoredox pathways. The cellular internalization studies showed cytosolic and nuclear localization. The remarkable photocytotoxicity of these probes offers a strategy towards developing photoresponsive Ln^ΙΙΙ probes as cellular‐imaging and phototherapeutic agents.     

Dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica as a novel reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography

A dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica stationary phase was prepared and evaluated by reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode chromatography. Model compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and anilines) were separated well on the column by reversed‐phase chromatography; inorganic anions (bromate, bromide, nitrate, iodide, and thiocyanate), and organic anions (p‐aminobenzoic acid, p‐anilinesulfonic acid, sodium benzoate, pathalic acid, and salicylic acid) were also separated individually by anion‐exchange chromatography. Based on the multiple sites of the stationary phase, the column could separate 14 solutes containing the above series of analytes in one run. The dicationic imidazolium ionic liquid modified silica can interact with hydrophobic analytes by the hydrophobic C₆ chain; it can enhance selectivity to aromatic compounds by imidazolium groups; and it also provided anion‐exchange and electrostatic interactions with ionic solutes. Compared with a monocationic ionic liquid functionalized stationary phase, the new stationary phase represented enhanced selectivity owing to more interaction sites.     

Coordination preferences of the alkali cations sodium and caesium in the mixed‐cationic Zintl ammoniate Cs3.2Na0.8Ge9·5.3NH3

The involvement of two different alkali cations in the nonagermanide ammoniate Cs_3.2Na_0.8Ge₉·5.3NH₃ [tricaesium sodium nonagermanide–ammonia (1/5.3)] provides insights into the coordination behaviour of ammonia towards sodium and caesium cations within one compound and represents the first mixed‐cationic solvate structure of nonagermanide tetraanions. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m and, with the presence of pseudomerohedral twinning, mixed‐cation sites and disordering of the nonagermanide cage anions, features a combination of crystallographic challenges which could all be resolved during the refinement.