High-Tc Enantiomeric Ferroelectrics Based on Homochiral Dabco-derivatives (Dabco=1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane)

1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco) and its derivatives have been extensively utilized as building units of excellent molecular ferroelectrics for decades. However, the homochiral dabco-based ferroelectric remains a blank. Herein, by adding a methyl (Me) group accompanied by the introduction of homochirality to the [H₂dabco]²⁺ in the non-ferroelectric [H₂dabco][TFSA]₂ (TFSA=bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)ammonium), we successfully designed enantiomeric ferroelectrics [R and S-2-Me-H₂dabco][TFSA]₂. The two enantiomers show two sequential phase transitions with transition temperature (T_c) as high as 405.8 K and 415.8 K, which is outstanding in both dabco-based ferroelectrics and homochiral ferroelectrics. To our knowledge, [R and S-2-Me-H₂dabco][TFSA]₂ are the first examples of dabco-based homochiral ferroelectrics. This finding opens an avenue to construct dabco-based homochiral ferroelectrics and will inspire the exploration of more eminent enantiomeric molecular ferroelectrics.     

Experimental Evidence for a Triboluminescent Antiperovskite Ferroelectric: Tris(trimethylammonium) catena‐Tri‐μ‐chloro‐manganate(II) Tetrachloromanganate(II)

The perovskite structure is rich in ferroelectricity. In contrast, ferroelectric antiperovskites have been scarcely confirmed experimentally since the discovery of M₃AB‐type antiperovskites in the 1930s. Ferroelectricity is now revealed in an organic–inorganic hybrid X₃AB antiperovskite structure, which exhibits a clear ferroelectric phase transition 6/mmmF6mm with a high Curie point of 480 K. The physical properties across the phase transition are obviously changed along with the symmetry requirements, providing solid experimental evidence for the ferroelectric phase transition. More interestingly, the discovered antiperovskite shows intense photoluminescence and triboluminescence properties. The confirmation of the triboluminescent ferroelectric antiperovskite will open new avenues to explore excellent optoelectronic properties in the antiperovskite family.     

An Above‐Room‐Temperature Ferroelectric Organo–Metal Halide Perovskite: (3‐Pyrrolinium)(CdCl3)

Hybrid organo–metal halide perovskite materials, such as CH₃NH₃PbI₃, have been shown to be some of the most competitive candidates for absorber materials in photovoltaic (PV) applications. However, their potential has not been completely developed, because a photovoltaic effect with an anomalously large voltage can be achieved only in a ferroelectric phase, while these materials are probably ferroelectric only at temperatures below 180 K. A new hexagonal stacking perovskite‐type complex (3‐pyrrolinium)(CdCl₃) exhibits above‐room‐temperature ferroelectricity with a Curie temperature T_c=316 K and a spontaneous polarization P_s=5.1 μC cm^?2. The material also exhibits antiparallel 180° domains which are related to the anomalous photovoltaic effect. The open‐circuit photovoltage for a 1 mm‐thick bulky crystal reaches 32 V. This finding could provide a new approach to develop solar cells based on organo–metal halide perovskites in photovoltaic research.     

Above Room Temperature Organic Dielectric Switchable Material: Diprotonated 1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane Shifts between Two Pyruvic Acids

A pure organic single crystal, [H₂dabco] · [PA]₂ ([H₂dabco]²⁺ = diprotonated 1,4‐diazabicyclo‐[2.2.2]octane, PA = pyruvic acid), was synthesized and its dielectric property was studied. [H₂dabco] · [PA]₂ owns a distinctive architecture composed of discrete hydrogen‐bonded trimeric units, of which one [H₂dabco]²⁺ cation bridged by two PA^– anions through N–H ··· O hydrogen bonding. The switchable property around 348 K was revealed by crystal structure studies between low and high dielectric states. In the high temperature phase, the [H₂dabco]²⁺ cation presents itself in a rotationally disordered state and lies at the symmetric center of the trimer. In the room temperature phase, it is frozen in an ordered state and shifts toward a PA^– anion at one end along the hydrogen bond.     

Reversible Interconversion between Luminescent Isomeric Metal–Organic Frameworks of [Cu4I4(DABCO)2] (DABCO=1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane)

The metal–organic frameworks (MOF) of cluster [Cu₄I₄(DABCO)₂] (DABCO=1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) have been prepared and characterized as two different crystalline forms, I and II . Form I is obtained by reaction of DABCO and CuI in aqueous solution or by solvothermal reaction, while form II is obtained by reacting DABCO and CuI in acetonitrile. Their luminescence properties in the solid state have been analyzed at room temperature and at 77 K. MOF II has bright emission with a maximum at 556 nm that shifts bathochromically at low temperature in conjunction with a marked change in the colour of the emission. The emission of MOF I has a maximum at 580 nm and a less pronounced temperature dependence. The peculiar luminescence properties of the two isomers have been interpreted by utilising current knowledge on the excited states properties of Cu^I cubane clusters. The two isomers exhibit a high degree of porosity and can release the disordered solvent molecules trapped in the channels, whilst preserving the crystal structure. Isomer I can be converted into II on exposure to acetonitrile or methanol vapour, whereas II reverts to I when heated in a closed pan at 250 °C.     

DABCO-directed self-assembly of bisporphyrins (DABCO=1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane)

Three isomeric zinc bisporphyrins have been prepared by covalently linking together two aminoporphyrins with an isophthalic acid derivative. The porphyrins differ in the substitution pattern on the meso phenyl groups, that is, ortho, meta, or para. Titrations carried out by UV-visible and 1H NMR spectroscopy have been used to map out the stabilities and the stoichiometries of the complexes formed with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in chloroform. The ortho- and meta-substituted bisporphyrins form 1:1 intramolecular sandwich complexes. The para-substituted bisporphyrin cannot adopt the cofacial conformation required for this type of complex and forms a higher order 2:2 intermolecular assembly, which is stable over a wide range of DABCO concentrations.     

Halogen‐bonded adduct of 1,2‐dibromo‐1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethane and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane

Halogen bonding is an intermolecular interaction capable of being used to direct extended structures. Typical halogen‐bonding systems involve a noncovalent interaction between a Lewis base, such as an amine, as an acceptor and a halogen atom of a halofluorocarbon as a donor. Vapour‐phase diffusion of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) with 1,2‐dibromotetrafluoroethane results in crystals of the 1:1 adduct, C₂Br₂F₄·C₆H₁₂N₂, which crystallizes as an infinite one‐dimensional polymeric structure linked by intermolecular N...Br halogen bonds [2.829 (3) Å], which are 0.57 Å shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii.     

catena‐Poly[1,4‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane [aquatri‐μ‐chlorido‐trichloridodicuprate(II)]]

The title compound, {(C₆H₁₄N₂O₂)[Cu₂Cl₆(H₂O)]}_n, consists of 1,4‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dications and one‐dimensional inorganic anionic {[Cu₂Cl₆(H₂O)]²⁻}_n chains in which both five‐coordinate [CuCl₃(H₂O)]⁻ and five‐coordinate [CuCl₃]⁻ units exist. These two distinct type of unit are linked together by one chloride ion and are bridged across centres of inversion to further units of their own type through two chloride ions, giving rise to novel polymeric zigzag chains parallel to the c axis. The chains are connected by O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds to produce R₂⁴(16) ring motifs, resulting in two‐dimensional layers parallel to the ac plane. These layers are linked into a three‐dimensional framework with the organic cations via O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonding between the chains, and between the chains and the organic cations, provides stability to the crystal structure.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear bromide–nitrite cadmium(II) complexes with related 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ligands

The title compounds, di‐μ‐bromido‐bis[bromido(1‐carboxymethyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐κN⁴)(nitrito‐κ²O,O′)cadmium(II)] dihydrate, [Cd₂Br₄(C₈H₁₅N₂O₂)₂(NO₂)₂]·2H₂O, (I), and aquabromido(1‐cyanomethyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐κN⁴)bis(nitrito‐κ²O,O′)cadmium(II) monohydrate, [CdBr(C₈H₁₄N₃)(NO₂)₂(H₂O)]·H₂O, (II), are two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded metal–organic hybrid complexes. In (I), the complex is situated on a centre of inversion so that each symmetry‐related Cd^II atom is coordinated by two bridging Br atoms, one monodentate Br atom, one chelating nitrite ligand and one organic ligand, yielding a significantly distorted octahedral geometry. The combination of O—H...O and O—H...Br hydrogen bonds produces centrosymmetric R₆⁶(16) ring motifs, resulting in two‐dimensional layers parallel to the ab plane. In contrast, the complex molecule in (II) is mononuclear, with the Cd^II atom seven‐coordinated by two bidentate nitrite groups, one N atom from the organic ligand, one monodentate Br atom and a water O atom in a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal environment. The combination of O—H...O and O—H...Br hydrogen bonds produces R₅⁴(14) and R₃³(8) rings which lead to two‐dimensional layers parallel to the ac plane.     

High‐Temperature and High‐Energy‐Density Dipolar Glass Polymers Based on Sulfonylated Poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)

A new class of high‐temperature dipolar polymers based on sulfonylated poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (SO₂‐PPO) was synthesized by post‐polymer functionalization. Owing to the efficient rotation of highly polar methylsulfonyl side groups below the glass transition temperature (T_g≈220 °C), the dipolar polarization of these SO₂‐PPOs was enhanced, and thus the dielectric constant was high. Consequently, the discharge energy density reached up to 22 J cm^?3. Owing to its high T_g , the SO₂‐PPO₂₅ sample also exhibited a low dielectric loss. For example, the dissipation factor (tan δ) was 0.003, and the discharge efficiency at 800 MV m^?1 was 92 %. Therefore, these dipolar glass polymers are promising for high‐temperature, high‐energy‐density, and low‐loss electrical energy storage applications.     

The Narrowest Band Gap Ever Observed in Molecular Ferroelectrics: Hexane‐1,6‐diammonium Pentaiodobismuth(III)

Narrow band gaps and excellent ferroelectricity are intrinsically paradoxical in ferroelectrics as the leakage current caused by an increase in the number of thermally excited carriers will lead to a deterioration of ferroelectricity. A new molecular ferroelectric, hexane‐1,6‐diammonium pentaiodobismuth (HDA‐BiI₅), was now developed through band gap engineering of organic–inorganic hybrid materials. It features an intrinsic band gap of 1.89 eV, and thus represents the first molecular ferroelectric with a band gap of less than 2.0 eV. Simultaneously, low‐temperature solution processing was successfully applied to fabricate high‐quality ferroelectric thin films based on HDA‐BiI₅, for which high‐precision controllable domain flips were realized. Owing to its narrow band gap and excellent ferroelectricity, HDA‐BiI₅ can be considered as a milestone in the exploitation of molecular ferroelectrics, with promising applications in high‐density data storage and photovoltaic conversion.     

A new three‐dimensional CdII supramolecular framework constructed from the 1‐[(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)methyl]‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ligand

A new tetrazole–metal supramolecular compound, di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis(trichlorido{1‐[(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl‐κN²)methyl]‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane}cadmium(II)), [Cd₂(C₈H₁₆N₆)₂Cl₈], has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the structure, each Cd^II cation is coordinated by five Cl atoms (two bridging and three terminal) and by one N atom from the 1‐[(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)methyl]‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ligand, adopting a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The bridging bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and chloride ligands link the Cd^II cations into one‐dimensional ribbon‐like N—H...Cl hydrogen‐bonded chains along the b axis. An extensive hydrogen‐bonding network formed by N—H...Cl and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, and interchain π–π stacking interactions between adjacent tetrazole rings, consolidate the crystal packing, linking the poymeric chains into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

catena‐Poly[bis[1‐chloromethyl‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane] [cadmium(II)‐tri‐μ‐chlorido‐[chloridocadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐chlorido‐[chloridocadmium(II)]‐tri‐μ‐chlorido] tetrahydrate]

The title compound, {(C₇H₁₅N₂Cl)₂[Cd₃Cl₁₀]·4H₂O}_n, consists of 1‐chloromethyl‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dications, one‐dimensional inorganic chains of {[Cd₃Cl₁₀]⁴⁻} anions and uncoordinated water molecules. Each of the two independent Cd^II ions, one with site symmetry 2/m and the other with site symmetry m, is octahedrally coordinated by chloride ions (two with site symmetry m and one with site symmetry 2), giving rise to novel polymeric zigzag chains of corner‐sharing Cd‐centred octahedra parallel to the c axis. The organic cations, bisected by mirror planes that contain the two N atoms, three methylene C atoms and the Cl atom, are ordered. Hydrogen bonds (O—H...Cl and O—H...O) between the water molecules (both with O atoms in a mirror plane) and the chloride anions of neighbouring chloridocadmate chains form a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐Fused Calix[4]pyrrole

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐fused calix[4]pyrrole, 5 , was obtained starting from (E)‐1,2‐bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene. This new calixpyrrole derivative is the prospective precursor of tetrabenzocalix[4]pyrrole, a potential ion‐pair receptor and an attractive species as a possible deep‐walled ‘molecular container’.     

The 1:1 adduct of 5‐methylbenzene‐1,3‐diol (orcin) and 1,4‐di­aza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]­octane

In the title adduct, C₆H₁₂N₂·C₇H₈O₂, the orcin and 1,4‐di­aza­bi­cyclo­[2.2.2]­octane moieties are held together by O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. One‐dimensional chiral hydrogen‐bonded chains are formed along the b axis. Neighbouring chains are held together principally by van der Waals interactions and are interrelated by translation, resulting in a chiral layer.     

A two‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer based on 1‐cyanomethyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and thiocyanate ligands

A cadmium–thiocyanate complex, poly[(1‐cyanomethyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐κ⁴N)octakis‐μ₂‐thiocyanato‐κ⁸N:S;κ⁸S:N‐tricadmium(II)], [Cd₃(C₈H₁₄N₃)₂(NCS)₈]_n, was synthesized by the reaction of 1‐cyanomethyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride, cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate and potassium thiocyanide in aqueous solution. In the crystal structure, there are two independent types of Cd^II cation (one on a centre of inversion and one in a general position) and both are in distorted octahedral coordination environments, coordinated by N and S atoms from different ligands. Neighbouring Cd^II cations are linked together by thiocyanate bridges to form a two‐dimensional network. Hydrogen‐bonding interactions are involved in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

catena‐Poly­[1,4‐diazo­niabicyclo­[2.2.2]­octane [silver(I)‐tri‐μ‐thio­cyanato‐κ6S:S]]

The title compound, {(C₆H₁₄N₂)[Ag(NCS)₃]}_n, is a polymeric silver(I) complex. The Ag^I atom is hexacoordinated by the S atoms of six thio­cyanate anions, with each thio­cyanate S atom acting in a bridging mode to link the Ag atoms together. The unique Ag^I atom lies at a cell origin and has crystallo­graphically imposed symmetry. The diazonia[2.2.2]octane molecule lies about a site with imposed symmetry with the unique N atom on a threefold axis. The S and N atoms of the thio­cyanate ligands sit on a mirror plane and a threefold axis, respectively. The crystal structure consists of one‐dimensional chains, which are stabilized by N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional network.