From Linear to Angular Isomers: Achieving Tunable Charge Transport in Single‐Crystal Indolocarbazoles Through Delicate Synergetic CH/NH⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

Weak intermolecular interaction in organic semiconducting molecular crystals plays an important role in molecular packing and electronic properties. Here, four five‐ring‐fused isomers were rationally designed and synthesized to investigate the isomeric influence of linear and angular shapes in affecting their molecular packing and resultant electronic properties. Single‐crystal field‐effect transistors showed mobility order of 5,7‐ICZ (3.61 cm² V^?1 s^?1) >5,11‐ICZ (0.55 cm² V^?1 s^?1) >11,12‐ICZ (ca. 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1) and 5,12‐ICZ (ca. 10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1). Theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and polaron transport model revealed that 5,7‐ICZ can reach higher mobilities than the others thanks to relatively higher hole transfer integral that links to stronger intermolecular interaction due to the presence of multiple NH???π and CH???π(py) interactions with energy close to common NH???N hydrogen bonds, as well as overall lower hole‐vibrational coupling owing to the absence of coupling of holes to low frequency modes due to better π conjugation.     

Energetic analysis of the molecular packing of 5,5′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐bis[4‐(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]‐4,4′‐bipyridine: the role of π–π and halogen interactions

The crystal packing of the title compound, C₂₄H₁₈Br₂N₂S₂, is rationalized using the PIXEL method, which allows a separation of the intermolecular interaction energy into Coulombic, polarization, dispersion and repulsion contributions. Infinite (01) molecular planes are formed through π–π stacking and other minor interactions, including a Br...S contact, with the σ hole of the Br atom pointing towards the S‐atom lone pair. The title compound has crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry, with the twofold axis at the mid‐point of the central C—C bond.     

Ion‐Pairing Assemblies Based on Pentacyano‐Substituted Cyclopentadienide as a π‐Electronic Anion

Pentacyanocyclopentadienide (PCCp^?), a stable π‐electronic anion, provided various ion‐pairing assemblies in combination with various cations. PCCp^?‐based assemblies exist as single crystals and mesophases owing to interionic interactions with π‐electronic and aliphatic cations with a variety of geometries, substituents, and electronic structures. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that PCCp^? formed cation‐dependent arrangements with contributions from charge‐by‐charge and charge‐segregated assembly modes for ion pairs with π‐electronic and aliphatic cations, respectively. Furthermore, some aliphatic cations gave dimension‐controlled organized structures with PCCp^?, as observed in the mesophases, for which synchrotron XRD analysis suggested the formation of charge‐segregated modes. Noncontact evaluation of conductivity for (C₁₂H₂₅)₃MeN⁺ ? PCCp^? films revealed potential hole‐transporting properties, yielding a local‐scale hole mobility of 0.4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at semiconductor–insulator interfaces.     

Pyridine–pyridine π–π stacking interactions in penta­carbonyl­[pyridine‐4(1H)‐thione]­tungsten(0)

In the title compound, [W(C₅H₅NS)(CO)₅], the pyridine‐4‐thiol ligand coordinates through the sulfur in the thione mode. The coordination sphere around the W atom is distorted from octahedral geometry by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and steric interactions between the pyridine ring and two CO ligands. An intermolecular pyridine–pyridine ring distance of 3.47 (1) Å indicates π–π stacking interactions between these ligand units.     

New Fluorescence Domain “Excited Multimer” Formed upon Photoexcitation of Continuously Stacked Diaroylmethanatoboron Difluoride Molecules with Fused π‐Orbitals in Crystals

The crystal‐packing structures of seven derivatives of diaroylmethanatoboron difluoride ( 1 a – gBF₂ ) are characterized by no overlap of the π‐conjugated main units of two adjacent molecules (type I), overlap of the benzene ring π‐orbitals of two adjacent molecules (type II), and overlap of the benzene and dihydrodioxaborinine rings π‐orbitals of adjacent molecules (type III). The crystal‐packing structures govern the fluorescence (FL) properties in the crystalline states. The FL domain that is present in type I crystals, in which intermolecular orbital interactions are absent, leads to excited monomer‐like FL properties. In the case of the type II crystals, the presence of intermolecular overlap of the benzene rings π‐orbitals generates new FL domains, referred to as “excited multimers”, which possess allowed S₀–S₁ electronic transitions and, as a result, similar FL lifetimes at longer wavelengths than the FL of the type I crystals. Finally, intermolecular overlap of the benzene and dihydrodioxaborinine ring π‐orbitals in the type III crystals leads to “excited multimer” domains with forbidden S₀–S₁ electronic transitions and longer FL lifetimes at similar wavelengths as that in type I crystals.     

The tropolone–isobutylamine complex: a hydrogen‐bonded troponoid without dominant π–π interactions

Tropolone long has served as a model system for unraveling the ubiquitous phenomena of proton transfer and hydrogen bonding. This molecule, which juxtaposes ketonic, hydroxylic, and aromatic functionalities in a framework of minimal complexity, also has provided a versatile platform for investigating the synergism among competing intermolecular forces, including those generated by hydrogen bonding and aryl coupling. Small members of the troponoid family typically produce crystals that are stabilized strongly by pervasive π–π, C—H…π, or ion–π interactions. The organic salt (TrOH·iBA) formed by a facile proton‐transfer reaction between tropolone (TrOH) and isobutylamine (iBA), namely isobutylammonium 7‐oxocyclohepta‐1,3,5‐trien‐1‐olate, C₄H₁₂N⁺·C₇H₅O₂⁻, has been investigated by X‐ray crystallography, with complementary quantum‐chemical and statistical‐database analyses serving to elucidate the nature of attendant intermolecular interactions and their synergistic effects upon lattice‐packing phenomena. The crystal structure deduced from low‐temperature diffraction measurements displays extensive hydrogen‐bonding networks, yet shows little evidence of the aryl forces (viz. π–π, C—H…π, and ion–π interactions) that typically dominate this class of compounds. Density functional calculations performed with and without the imposition of periodic boundary conditions (the latter entailing isolated subunits) documented the specificity and directionality of noncovalent interactions occurring between the proton‐donating and proton‐accepting sites of TrOH and iBA, as well as the absence of aromatic coupling mediated by the seven‐membered ring of TrOH. A statistical comparison of the structural parameters extracted for key hydrogen‐bond linkages to those reported for 44 previously known crystals that support similar binding motifs revealed TrOH·iBA to possess the shortest donor–acceptor distances of any troponoid‐based complex, combined with unambiguous signatures of enhanced proton‐delocalization processes that putatively stabilize the corresponding crystalline lattice and facilitate its surprisingly rapid formation under ambient conditions.     

Structure determination of three furan‐substituted benzimidazoles and calculation of π–π and C—H...π interaction energies

The synthesis and structural characterization of 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₂, (I)], 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium chloride monohydrate [C₁₆H₁₃N₂O₂⁺·Cl⁻·H₂O, (II)] and the hydrobromide salt 5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium bromide [C₁₈H₁₇N₂O₂⁺·Br⁻, (III)] are described. Benzimidazole (I) displays two sets of aromatic interactions, each of which involves pairs of molecules in a head‐to‐tail arrangement. The first, denoted set (Ia), exhibits both intermolecular C—H...π interactions between the 2‐(furan‐2‐yl) (abbreviated as Fn) and 1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl) (abbreviated as MeFn) substituents, and π–π interactions involving the Fn substituents between inversion‐center‐related molecules. The second, denoted set (Ib), involves π–π interactions involving both the benzene ring (Bz) and the imidazole ring (Im) of benzimidazole. Hydrated salt (II) exhibits N—H...OH₂...Cl hydrogen bonding that results in chains of molecules parallel to the a axis. There is also a head‐to‐head aromatic stacking of the protonated benzimidazole cations in which the Bz and Im rings of one molecule interact with the Im and Fn rings of adjacent molecules in the chain. Salt (III) displays N—H...Br hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions involving inversion‐center‐related benzimidazole rings in a head‐to‐tail arrangement. In all of the π–π interactions observed, the interacting moieties are shifted with respect to each other along the major molecular axis. Basis set superposition energy‐corrected (counterpoise method) interaction energies were calculated for each interaction [DFT, M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d)] employing atomic coordinates obtained in the crystallographic analyses for heavy atoms and optimized H‐atom coordinates. The calculated interaction energies are −43.0, −39.8, −48.5, and −55.0 kJ mol⁻¹ for (Ia), (Ib), (II), and (III), respectively. For (Ia), the analysis was used to partition the interaction energies into the C—H...π and π–π components, which are 9.4 and 24.1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Energy‐minimized structures were used to determine the optimal interplanar spacing, the slip distance along the major molecular axis, and the slip distance along the minor molecular axis for 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole.     

Synthesis,X‐ray characterization and density functional theory studies of N6‐benzyl‐N6‐methyladenine–M(II) complexes (M = Zn,Cd): The prominent role of π–π, C–H···π and anion–π interactions

We report the synthesis and X‐ray characterization of the N⁶‐benzyl‐N⁶‐methyladenine ligand (L) and three metal complexes, namely [Zn(HL)Cl₃]·H₂O ( 1 ), [Cd(HL)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ) and [H₂L]₂[Cd₃(μ‐L)₂(μ‐Cl)₄Cl₆]·3H₂O ( 3 ). Complex 1 consists of the 7H‐adenine tautomer protonated at N3 and coordinated to a tetrahedral Zn(II) metal centre through N9. The octahedral Cd(II) in complex 2 is N⁹‐coordinated to two N⁶‐benzyl‐N⁶‐methyladeninium ligands (7H‐tautomer protonated at N3) that occupy apical positions and four chlorido ligands form the basal plane. Compound 3 corresponds to a trinuclear Cd(II) complex, where the central Cd atom is six‐coordinated to two bridging μ‐L and four bridging μ‐Cl ligands. The other two Cd atoms are six‐coordinated to three terminal chlorido ligands, to two bridging μ‐Cl ligands and to the bridging μ‐L through N3. Essentially, the coordination patterns, degree of protonation and tautomeric forms of the nucleobase dominate the solid‐state architectures of 1 – 3 . Additionally, the hydrogen‐bonding interactions produced by the endocyclic N atoms and NH groups stabilize high‐dimensional‐order supramolecular assemblies. Moreover, energetically strong anion–π and lone pair (lp)–π interactions are important in constructing the final solid‐state architectures in 1 – 3 . We have studied the non‐covalent interactions energetically using density functional theory calculations and rationalized the interactions using molecular electrostatic potential surfaces and Bader's theory of atoms in molecules. We have particularly analysed cooperative lp–π and anion–π interactions in 1 and π⁺–π⁺ interactions in 3 .     

An Experimental Evidence of a Metal−Metal Bond in μ‐Carbonylhexacarbonyl[μ‐(5‐oxofuran‐2(5H)‐ylidene‐κC,κC)]‐dicobalt(Co−Co)[Co2(CO)6(μ‐CO)(μ‐C4O2H2)]

The orthorhombic crystal structure of [Co₂(CO)₆(μ‐CO)(μ‐C₄O₂H₂)] ( 1 ) was determined at 150 K (Fig. 1). Two C−H⋅⋅⋅O bonds connect the molecules, forming waving ribbons along the b axis. The experimental electron density, determined with the aspherical‐atom formalism, was analyzed with the topological theory of molecular structure. The presence of the Co−Co bond critical point indicates for the first time the existence of a metal−metal bond in a system with bridged ligands. The bond critical properties of the intramolecular bonds and of the intermolecular interactions show features similar to those found in [Mn₂(CO)₁₀], confirming our previously established bonding classification for organometallic and coordination compounds.     

The peptide NCbz‐Val‐Tyr‐OMe and aromatic π–π interactions

The peptide N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐valyl‐L‐tyrosine methyl ester or NCbz‐Val‐Tyr‐OMe (where NCbz is N‐benzyloxycarbonyl and OMe indicates the methyl ester), C₂₃H₂₈N₂O₆, has an extended backbone conformation. The aromatic rings of the Tyr residue and the NCbz group are involved in various attractive intra‐ and intermolecular aromatic π–π interactions which stabilize the conformation and packing in the crystal structure, in addition to N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. The aromatic π–π interactions include parallel‐displaced, perpendicular T‐shaped, perpendicular L‐shaped and inclined orientations.     

A dinuclear CoII complex: bis(μ‐di­hydrogen phosphato‐κ2O:O′)­bis­[(bipyridine‐κ2N,N′)(di­hydrogen phosphato‐κO)­cobalt(II)]

The title compound, [Co₂(H₂PO₄)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂], is dinuclear, centred on a symmetry centre of the P space group. Each Co atom has a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination involving two N atoms from a bi­pyridine mol­ecule and three O atoms from two bridging and one terminal di­hydrogen ortho­phosphate anion. The molecular structure and packing are stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen‐bond interactions.     

First heterobimetallic AgI–CoIII coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO2 coordination modes: synthesis,characterization, structural and computational studies of (PPh3)2AgI–(μ‐κ2O,O′:κN‐NO2)–CoIII(DMGH)2(κN‐NO2)

An unusual heterobimetallic bis(triphenylphosphane)(NO₂)Ag^I–Co^III(dimethylglyoximate)(NO₂) coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO₂ (nitro) coordination modes has been isolated and characterized from the reaction of [CoCl(DMGH)₂(PPh₃)] (DMGH₂ is dimethylglyoxime or N,N′‐dihydroxybutane‐2,3‐diimine) with excess AgNO₂. In the title compound, namely bis(dimethylglyoximato‐1κ²O,O′)(μ‐nitro‐1κN:2κ²O,O′)(nitro‐1κN)bis(triphenylphosphane‐2κP)cobalt(III)silver(I), [AgCo(C₄H₇N₂O₂)₂(NO₂)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], one of the ambidentate –NO₂ ligands, in a bridging mode, chelates the Ag^I atom in an isobidentate κ²O,O′‐manner and its N atom is coordinated to the Co^III atom. The other –NO₂ ligand is terminally κN‐coordinated to the Co^III atom. The structure has been fully characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) have been used to study the ground‐state electronic structure and elucidate the origin of the electronic transitions, respectively.     

A novel one‐dimensional metal–organic framework with a μ‐cyanido‐argentate group: catena‐poly[[(5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)silver(I)]‐μ‐cyanido‐κ2N:C]

The design and synthesis of metal coordination and supramolecular frameworks containing N‐donor ligands and dicyanidoargentate units is of interest due to their potential applications in the fields of molecular magnetism, catalysis, nonlinear optics and luminescence. In the design and synthesis of extended frameworks, supramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking and van der Waals interactions, have been exploited for molecular recognition associated with biological activity and for the engineering of molecular solids.The title compound, [Ag(CN)(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)]_n, crystallizes with the Ag^I cation on a twofold axis, half a cyanide ligand disordered about a centre of inversion and half a twofold‐symmetric 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (5,5′‐dmbpy) ligand in the asymmetric unit. Each Ag^I cation exhibits a distorted tetrahedral geometry; the coordination environment comprises one C(N) atom and one N(C) atom from substitutionally disordered cyanide bridging ligands, and two N atoms from a bidentate chelating 5,5′‐dmbpy ligand. The cyanide ligand links adjacent Ag^I cations to generate a one‐dimensional zigzag chain. These chains are linked together via weak nonclassical intermolecular interactions, generating a two‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Hydrogen Bond and π–π Interactions in a 3D Supramolecular Structure Containing 1D Helical Chains

The reaction of 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐6, 6′‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bpdc) with zinc nitrate and different rare earth chlorides generates two novel three‐dimensional supramolecules Zn(6‐bpc)₂ · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and Ce(bpdc)₂ · H₂O ( 2 ) (6‐Hbpc = 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐6‐carboxylic acid). The left‐and right‐handed helical chains give rise to a 3D supramolecular framework through hydrogen‐bond and weak π–π interactions in complex 1 . Interestingly, the decarboxylation occurred and the bpdc ligand was transformed into 6‐bpc species under the hydrothermal reaction in the presence of Nd^III ions, while the decarboxylation did not occur when Ce^III ions were used. In the structure of 2 , one central Ce(IV) atom coordinates to two bpdc ligands, resulting in a discrete molecule. These discrete units are further extended into a 3D supramolecular structure through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions.     

Hydro­gen‐bonding and C—H⋯π interactions in 1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy­phenyl)­heptane‐3,5‐dione (tetra­hydro­curcumin)

The title compound, C₂₁H₂₄O₆, is the reduced form of curcumin, and exhibits important cosmoceutical properties. The mol­ecule is non‐planar and the benzene rings positioned at the ends of the heptane chain are orthogonally placed, with a dihedral angle of 84.09 (7)° between them. The molecular geometry and H‐atom locations reveal that the `heptane‐3,5‐dione' moiety exists in the keto–enol form, with the hydroxy H atom disordered over two adjacent sites. The packing of the mol­ecules in the lattice is directed by strong O—H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which generate two‐dimensional sheets. These sheets are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H⋯π interactions to develop a three‐dimensional network.     

Structural Polymorphism and Thin Film Transistor Behavior in the Fullerene Framework Molecule 5,6;11,12‐di‐o‐Phenylenetetracene

The molecular structure of the hydrocarbon 5,6;11,12‐di‐o‐phenylenetetracene (DOPT), its material characterization and evaluation of electronic properties is reported for the first time. A single‐crystal X‐ray study reveals two different motifs of intramolecular overlap with herringbone‐type arrangement displaying either face‐to‐edge or co‐facial face‐to‐face packing depicting intensive π–π interactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations underpin that a favorable electronic transport mechanism occurs by a charge hopping process due to a π‐bond overlap in the DOPT polymorph with co‐facial arene orientation. The performance of polycrystalline DOPT films as active organic semiconducting layer in a state‐of‐the‐art organic field effect transistor (OFET) device was evaluated and proves to be film thickness dependent. For 40 nm layer thickness it displays a saturation hole mobility (μ_hole) of up to 0.01 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and an on/off‐ratio (I_on/I_off) of 1.5×10³.     

Nonperipherally Octa(butyloxy)‐Substituted Phthalocyanine Derivatives with Good Crystallinity: Effects of Metal–Ligand Coordination on the Molecular Structure,Internal Structure,and Dimensions of Self‐Assembled Nanostructures

To investigate the effects of metal–ligand coordination on the molecular structure, internal structure, dimensions, and morphology of self‐assembled nanostructures, two nonperipherally octa(alkoxyl)‐substituted phthalocyanine compounds with good crystallinity, namely, metal‐free 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25‐octa(butyloxy)phthalocyanine H₂Pc(α‐OC₄H₉)₈ ( 1 ) and its lead complex Pb[Pc(α‐OC₄H₉)₈] ( 2 ), were synthesized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the distorted molecular structure of metal‐free phthalocyanine with a saddle conformation. In the crystal of 2 , two monomeric molecules are linked by coordination of the Pb atom of one molecule with an aza‐nitrogen atom and its two neighboring oxygen atoms from the butyloxy substituents of another molecule, thereby forming a Pb‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker supramolecular structure with a domed conformation for the phthalocyanine ligand. The self‐assembling properties of 1 and 2 in the absence and presence of sodium ions were comparatively investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Intermolecular π–π interactions between metal‐free phthalocyanine molecules led to the formation of nanoribbons several micrometers in length and with an average width of approximately 100 nm, whereas the phthalocyaninato lead complex self‐assembles into nanostructures also with the ribbon morphology and micrometer length but with a different average width of approximately 150 nm depending on the π–π interactions between neighboring Pb‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker building blocks. This revealed the effect of the molecular structure (conformation) associated with metal–ligand (Pb? N_isoindole, Pb? N_aza, and Pb? O_butyloxy) coordination on the dimensions of the nanostructures. In the presence of Na⁺, additional metal–ligand (Na? N_aza and Na? O_butyloxy) coordination bonds formed between sodium atoms and aza‐nitrogen atoms and the neighboring butyloxy oxygen atoms of two metal‐free phthalocyanine molecules cooperate with the intrinsic intermolecular π–π interactions, thereby resulting in an Na‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker building block with a twisted structure for the phthalocyanine ligand, which self‐assembles into twisted nanoribbons with an average width of approximately 50 nm depending on the intertetrapyrrole π–π interaction. This is evidenced by the X‐ray diffraction analysis results for the resulting aggregates. Twisted nanoribbons with an average width of approximately 100 nm were also formed from the lead coordination compound 2 in the presence of Na⁺ with a Pb‐connected pseudo‐double‐decker as the building block due to the formation of metal–ligand (Na? N_aza and Na? O_butyloxy) coordination bonds between additionally introduced sodium ions and two phthalocyanine ligands of neighboring pseudo‐double‐decker building blocks.     

Di­chloro­bis(2‐chloro‐5‐methyl­pyridine‐κN)copper(II)

In the crystals of the title compound, [CuCl₂(C₆H₆ClN)₂], the Cu atom lies on an inversion centre and is four‐coordinated by two pyridine N atoms and two Cl atoms in trans positions. The coordination geometry is square planar, with Cu—N and Cu—Cl distances of 1.986 (2) and 2.2536 (11) Å, respectively. The two pyridine rings are parallel, but twist from the CuN₂Cl₂ coordination plane by about 95° in the complex mol­ecule. There are three kinds of intermolecular C—H⃛Cl hydrogen bonds in the crystals. Two of these types generate two‐dimensional molecular networks, viewed in the direction of the a axis, and the other connects adjacent molecular networks.     

3‐(Ethoxy­carbonyl­di­hydroxy­methyl)‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐di­hydro­quinox­aline

The crystal structure of the title compound, ethyl 2,2‐di­­hy­droxy‐2‐(3‐oxo‐3,4‐di­hydro­quinoxalin‐2‐yl)­acetate, C₁₂H₁₂N₂O₅, indicates a short intramolecular contact between the N1 atom and a hydroxyl group [2.772 (4) Å]. Two intermolecular hydrogen bonds participate in the molecular packing.     

Strongly Absorbing π–π* States in Heteroleptic Dipyrrin/2,2′‐Bipyridine Ruthenium Complexes: Excited‐State Dynamics from Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

A recently reported new class of ruthenium complexes containing 2,2′‐bipyridine and a dipyrrin ligand in the coordination sphere exhibit both strong metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) and π–π* transitions. Quantitative analysis of the resonance Raman scattering intensities and absorption spectra reveals only weak electronic interactions between these states despite direct coordination of the bipyridyl and dipyrrin ligands to the central ruthenium atom. On the basis of DFT calculations and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT), we propose that the electronic excited states closely resemble “pure” MLCT and π–π* states. Resonance Raman intensity analysis demonstrates that a large amplitude transannular torsional motion provides a mechanism for relaxation on the π–π* excited‐state surface. We assert that this result is generally applicable to a range of dipyrrin complexes such as boron–dipyrrin and metallodipyrrin systems. Despite the large torsional distortion between the phenyl ring and the dipyrromethene plane, π–π* excitation extends out onto the phenyl ring which may have important consequences in solar‐energy‐conversion applications of ruthenium–dipyrrin complexes.