Topological classification and supramolecular chirality of 21-helical ladder-type hydrogen-bond networks composed of primary ammonium carboxylates: bundle control in 21-helical assemblies

The supramolecular chirality of 1D ladder-type hydrogen-bond networks composed of primary ammonium carboxylates was determined based on topological considerations. Chirality in such networks is based on the absolute configuration of the primary ammonium cation, which arises from discrimination between the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate anion. The configurations of the cations and anions generate topological diversity in the networks, which are classified into six subgroups. In the Cambridge Structural Database, salts based on ladder type 1 constitute over 70 % of salts with a 1D-ladder-type network. Ladder type 1, based on a 2(1)-axis, is not superimposable on its mirror image, which leads to the first definition of right- or left-handedness of 2(1)-helicity on the basis of supramolecular tilt chirality. Helical assemblies of 2(1)-type with triaxial chirality can be assembled in various ways to yield chiral bundles and crystals. On the basis of these considerations, we constructed clay mimic structures with several bundle patterns by connecting the hydrogen-bond networks by using bifunctional molecules. These results open up the possibility of in-depth crystal engineering based on hydrogen-bond topology.     

Organic layered crystals with adjustable interlayer distances of 1-naphthylmethylammonium n-alkanoates and isomerism of hydrogen-bond networks by steric dimension

A series of 1-naphthylmethylammonium n-alkanoates from acetate to triacontanoate produce isomorphic layered structures in the crystalline state. The interlayer distances, d-spacings, are proportional to the lengths of the alkyl chains. This is attributed to synergic intermolecular interactions; pi-pi and CH-pi interactions of the naphthalene rings between the cations, hydrophobic interactions of the alkyl chains, and two-dimensional hydrogen-bond networks between the primary ammonium cations and the carboxylate anions. Salts made from carboxylic acids wider than 5.5 A in the cross sections produce another columnar structure with a one-dimensional ladder-type hydrogen-bond network. Steric parameters of the acid components provide an explanation for the isomerism of the hydrogen-bond network.     

A New Series of Charge-assisted Hydrogen-bonded Host Frameworks Based on [Co（en）_3]~（3＋）and Dicarboxylates

A new series of metal complex carboxylates(MCC)made of [Co(en)3]3+(MC)and either 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic(NDC)or 4,4-biphenyldicarboxylic(BPDC)were synthesized and structurally characterized.The four new compounds have a general formula(MC)2(C)3·n(guest)with the guests of dimethylformamide(DMF)and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)and water.All the structures represent a pillared-layer type,where the layer consists of MC cations,carboxylate anions or water molecules via a large number of hydrogen bonds.The layers are pillared by the organic residues of NDC or BPDC,resulting in the inclusion cavities where the guest molecules reside.Although their topological structures are similar,they crystallize in different crystal structures due to the rearrangement of pillars and hydrogen-bonded layers.     

The Structures and Hydrogen Bonding Networks in Crystals of Alkylenediammonium Salts of Galactaric Acid

The crystal structures of five alkylenediammonium galactarates (1– 5) were determined because the information from these structures may provide some insight into the solid state structures of the poly(alkylene galactaramides) derived from these salts. In each case the meso-galactarate anion is in the extended conformation. In four out of the five cases associations between galactarate units led to alternating layers of anions and cations rather than the expected alternation of anion and cation found in ionic solids. All five salts display extensive hydrogen bonding involving ammonium and carboxylate groups and in some cases hydroxyl groups of the anion.     

Carboxyl-functionalized task-specific ionic liquids for solubilizing metal oxides

Imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, morpholinium, and quaternary ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salts were functionalized with a carboxyl group. These ionic liquids are useful for the selective dissolution of metal oxides and hydroxides. Although these hydrophobic ionic liquids are immiscible with water at room temperature, several of them form a single phase with water at elevated temperatures. Phase separation occurs upon cooling. This thermomorphic behavior has been investigated by (1)H NMR, and it was found that it can be attributed to the temperature-dependent hydration and hydrogen-bond formation of the ionic liquid components. The crystal structures of four ionic liquids and five metal complexes have been determined.     

Comparative crystal-chemical analysis of simple sulfites and selenites and binary compounds

With the use of the TOPOS structural topological program package, comparative crystal-chemical analysis has been performed for anhydrous inorganic salts with pyramidal anions, namely, for 12 simple sulfites and 23 simple selenites. Comparative topological analysis has been carried out for simple sulfites and selenites and 1417 representatives of the topological types of binary compounds. This analysis shows that six sulfites and selenites are topologically similar to NaCl, NiAs, TiO₂ (rutile), and ZnTe. The topology and uniformity of the ionic matrices in all the structures are surveyed: in 10 of the 35 salts under consideration, at least one of the matrices has close packing topology.     

Characterization of Supramolecular Hidden Chirality of Hydrogen‐Bonded Networks by Advanced Graph Set Analysis

Supramolecular hidden chirality of hydrogen‐bonded (HB) networks of primary ammonium carboxylates was exposed by advanced graph set analysis from a symmetric viewpoint in topology. The ring‐type HB (R‐HB) networks are topologically regarded as faces, and therefore exhibit prochirality and positional isomerism due to substituents attached on the faces. To describe the symmetric properties of the faces, additional symbols, Re (right‐handed or clockwise), Si (left‐handed or anticlockwise), and m (mirror), were proposed. According to the symbols, various kinds of faces were classified based on the symmetry. This symmetry consideration of the faces enables us to precisely evaluate supramolecular chirality, especially its handedness, of 0D‐cubic, 1D‐ladder and 2D‐sheet HB networks that are composed of the faces. The 1D‐ladder and 2D‐sheet HB networks generate chirality by accumulating the chiral faces in 1D and 2D manners, respectively, whereas 0D‐cubic HB networks generate chirality based on combinations of eight kinds of faces, similar to the chirality of dice.     

Helical binuclear Co complexes of pyriporphyrin analogue for sensing homochiral carboxylic acids

A hybrid macrocycle composed of two bipyridines and two dipyrrins gave biscobalt complexes of figure eight macrocycle conformation with κ²-carboxylate ligands and water ligands at the axial sites. The axial acetate ligands of the biscobalt complex are readily exchanged with carboxylates of α-hydroxyl acids and α-amino acids. The chiral center of the axial carboxylate ligands controls the helical handedness of the macrocycle as evidenced by a typical CD couplet at 550 nm. The substitution labile nature of the biscobalt complex plays a key role for helical chirality induction on the macrocycle upon co-ordination of chiral carboxylate anions.     

Metal organic framework (MOF) liquid crystals. 1D, 2D and 3D ionic coordination polymer structures in the thermotropic mesophases of metal soaps,including alkaline earth,transition metal and lanthanide soaps

Taken together, the body of existing literature on metal soap crystal structures and mesophases supports the view that much is to be gained by treating the soaps as metal organic frameworks (MOF's) when relating their structure and liquid crystallinity.We argue that metal soaps mesophases often consist of disordered metal organic (carboxylate) frameworks (MOF's). Metal atoms are linked by bridging carboxylates, and the metal–oxygen networks form semi-flexible rods, chains and sheets of M–O polyhedra within their co-bonded, mesotructured, self-assemblies of lipidic chains. The packing of the molten hydrocarbon chains allows otherwise unconnected MOF networks to coexist as spatially isolated units in the same unit cell. For instance the lamellar phases are true 2D MOF's or layers of 1-D MOF's. The phase transitions can then be regarded as coupled disordering/re-ordering transitions involving rotational and conformational disordering of the hydrocarbon chains balanced with disordering of MOF symmetries, MOF topological transformations, depolymerizations and dimensionality reductions ultimately leading to anisotropic melts.By way of demonstration, thermotropic phase transitions of homologous series of lanthanide soaps are systematically studied using a variety of experimental methods, and the data are used in a topological model for testing the consistency with the MOF concept of metal soap crystal structures and thermotropic mesophases. Finally, an interpenetrating bicontinuous MOF comprised of SrO₆ polyhedral rods is presented as an atomically resolved model for the network topology of the cubic mesophase of strontium soaps.Metal soaps are therefore shown to afford a bridge between liquid crystals and metal organic framework (MOF) materials.     

Dilatometric study of monovalent counter-ion association with carboxylates

Volume changes accompanying the protonation of mono-, di- and poly-carboxylates in water were measured at 25° using the circulation dilatometer. The carboxylates include alkali metal and tetra-alkylammonium (TAA) salts of acetic, pivalic, glutaric acid and samples of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) having various molecular weights and degrees of stereoregularity. It was found that TAA counter-cation exerts specific influence on the differential molar volume change on protonation of the pivalate and PMA in contrast to the absence of such specificity in the corresponding alkali metal salts. These results were interpreted by the proposed association of the hydrophobic ammonium cation with the carboxylate anions. Volume contraction is accompanied by the association. It was also proposed, on the basis of these findings, that alkali metal counter-ion is not likely to be ‘site bound’ by the respective charges of PMA. PMA configuration has a minor effect on the volume change.     

Application of ionic liquids containing tricyanomethanide [C(CN)3]- or tetracyanoborate [B(CN)4]- anions in dye-sensitized solar cells

A series of novel ionic liquids composed of imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, and ammonium cations with tricyanomethanide or tetracyanoborate anions were prepared. The ionic liquids were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and ESI-mass spectrometry, and their physical properties were investigated. Solid state structures of the N-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium and triethylpropylammonium tetracyanoborate salts were obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The salts that are liquid at room temperature were evaluated as electrolyte additives in dye-sensitized solar cells, giving rise to efficiencies 7.35 and 7.85% under 100 and 10% Sun, respectively, in combination with the standard Z907 dye.     

Carboxylate‐Driven Supramolecular Assemblies of Protonated meso‐Aryl‐Substituted Dipyrrolylpyrazoles

Dipyrrolylpyrazole (dpp) derivatives possessing an aryl ring at the pyrazole 4‐position were synthesized. Upon protonation, modified dpp derivatives formed a variety of assembled structures through complexation with carboxylates, as observed by single‐crystal X‐ray and synchrotron XRD analyses. In particular, the complexation of protonated dpp species possessing long alkyl chains with dicarboxylates resulted in highly ordered assembled structures, the packing modes of which as lamellar structures were controlled by the lengths of the spacer units between two carboxylate moieties. The charge‐carrier transporting properties of the solid materials were also controlled by bound anions, including dicarboxylates.     

What drives the precipitation of long-chain calcium carboxylates (soaps) in aqueous solution?

The interaction of sodium octanoate, decanoate or dodecanoate with calcium(ii) in aqueous solutions has been studied using turbidity, conductivity and potentiometric measurements. These show a marked alkyl chain length dependence on the behaviour. At the calcium concentration used (1.0 mM), there is little interaction with the octanoate, the decanoate shows initially formation of a 1:1 complex, followed by precipitation, while the dodecanoate precipitates at low surfactant concentrations. The solid calcium carboxylates were prepared, and show lamellar, bilayer structures with planes of calcium(II) ions coordinated to carboxylate groups through bidentate chelate linkages. Thermogravimetry and elemental analyses indicate the presence of coordinated water with the calcium decanoate but not with longer chain carboxylates. The results of both the solution and solid state studies suggest that precipitation of long-chain carboxylates depends on a balance between hydration effects and hydrophobic (largely van der Waals') interactions. Electrostatic effects make little energetic contribution but play the important structural role of ordering the carboxylate anions before precipitation. Differences are observed in the interactions between calcium(II) and long chain alkylcarboxylates and alkylsulfates, and are interpreted in terms of stronger binding to the metal of the carboxylate group. A general mechanism is proposed for calcium carboxylate precipitation from aqueous solution based on this and previous studies.     

A quantum-chemical study of donor-acceptor properties of carboxylic acids and their anions and evaluation of the effect of these properties on geometric and spectroscopic parameters of palladium(II) carboxylates

Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations of the geometries and electronic structures of saturated (including halogen-substituted), unsaturated, and aromatic carboxylic acids and their anions were performed. Factors governing the donor-acceptor power of these species were revealed. The effect of donor-acceptor properties of substituent R in the carboxylate group on the geometric and spectroscopic characteristics of carboxylates was demonstrated by the example of homoligand palladium carboxylates Pd₃(μ-OCOR)₆.     

H-bonds superstructures built by aquacomplexes and an azapurine derivative: a case of molecular recognition

The crystal structures of six compounds involving the divalent cations of Mn, Zn and Cd, the anionic form of the heterocycle 4,6-dimethyl-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5,7-dione (Hdmax) and bipyridyl based spacer ligands are reported. The most important feature of these structures is the presence, in all cases, of a topologically identical 1-D polymeric superstructure (tape), involving tetra- or hexaaqua complex cations and triazolopyrimidine anions, built through hydrogen bonds. Adding these results to others previously published, we may consider these tapes as robust supramolecular synthons where a defined/clear case of molecular recognition between these two moieties takes place.     

Crystallization of silver carboxylates from sodium carboxylate mixtures

Silver carboxylates can be made by the reaction of silver nitrate and the corresponding sodium carboxylates. The length of the alkyl chain has a significant impact on the product behavior. In this study, 18, 20, and 22 carbon chains (stearate, arachidate, and behenate, respectively) have been selected. All three sodium carboxylates are very insoluble in water at room temperature. Solutions are obtained above the Krafft temperature, which precipitates lamellar crystals if cooled at the proper cooling rate. Depending on the chain length, metastable morphologies, such as vesicles and tiny fibers, can be seen consecutively before hexagonal plates form. The carboxylate with the shorter chain length reaches equilibrium more quickly. All three silver carboxylates also take on a lamellar structure. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) shows that the d spacing of the crystals increases as the chain length increases. Cryo-TEM illustrates that the crystallites are the result of micelle nucleation and micelle aggregation. In addition, the crystallization process in the presence of silver bromide nanocrystals has been investigated. In the initial stage, an epitaxial interface is formed between the silver carboxylate crystallites and the cubic silver bromide grains. Budlike and strandlike structures grow because of it. The consequent strand enclosure restrains the crystal growth, which reduces the size and changes the morphology of the crystals.     

Properties of molten carboxylates part 6. A quantiative differential thermal analysis study of phase transitions in some zinc and cadmium carboxylates

Quantitative DTA results are presented for the phase changes in some cadmium and zinc n-alkanoates. Cadmium carboxylates form liquid crystal phases. The total entropy of the solid-to-liquid transition is small indicating a high degree of aggregation in the isotropic liquid. The phases previously reported by Skoulios are shown to be due to the presence of basic carboxylates. The zinc carboxylates have solid—solid transformations but do not form liquid crystal phases. The entropies of fusion are of the same order as those in the lead salts showing only a small degree of aggregation in the liquid.     

Structure rationalization and topology prediction of two-distinct-component organic crystals: the role of volume fraction and interface topology

We consider here small-length-scale crystal structures with two clearly different molecular components (e.g., hydrophobic and hydrophilic). Using a perspective developed by studies on large-length-scale block copolymers and liquid crystals, we focus on the crystalline interface between the two components. We examine four types of two-component crystals: aromatic ammonium carboxylates, aromatic oligo(ethylene oxides), cyclohexylammonium carboxylates, and ether-thioether compounds. Of the 111 crystal structures found in the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD), 108 adopt one of the five generic topologies found in diblock copolymers: spheres, columns, perforated layers, layers, and bicontinuous structures. As in diblock copolymers, a key factor controlling the interfacial topology is shown to be the volume ratio of the two components. When the volume fraction of one component is less than 30% of the whole, more than five-sixths of the examined crystal structures are of columnar or spherical type. For volume fractions between 40 and 50% more than three-quarters are of lamellar or bicontinuous type. We use this model to predict the topologies of small-length-scale two-component crystals. We predict the crystal topolgies of six new crystal structures: three are predicted to be columnar, and the other three, lamellar or bicontinuous. The crystal structures of these systems were then determined by single-crystal X-ray methods. Five of the structures form in topologies consistent with the predictions: three in columns and two in layers. The remaining one forms as a perforated layer instead of the predicted columnar structure. Such predictive accuracy is consistent with the statistics of the CSD investigation.     

What's in an Atom? A Comparison of Carbon and Silicon-Centred Amidinium⋅⋅⋅Carboxylate Frameworks**

Despite their apparent similarity, framework materials based on tetraphenylmethane and tetraphenylsilane building blocks often have quite different structures and topologies. Herein, we describe a new silicon tetraamidinium compound and use it to prepare crystalline hydrogen bonded frameworks with carboxylate anions in water. The silicon-containing frameworks are compared with those prepared from the analogous carbon tetraamidinium: when biphenyldicarboxylate or tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)methane anions were used similar channel-containing networks are observed for both the silicon and carbon tetraamidinium. When terephthalate or bicarbonate anions were used, different products form. Insights into possible reasons for the different products are provided by a survey of the Cambridge Structural Database and quantum chemical calculations, both of which indicate that, contrary to expectations, tetraphenylsilane derivatives have less geometrical flexibility than tetraphenylmethane derivatives, that is, they are less able to distort away from ideal tetrahedral bond angles.     

Carboxylate–phenolate tautomerism in 5‐[(nitrophenyl)diazenyl]salicylate anions

Aryldiazenyl derivatives of salicylic acid and their salts are used as dyes. In these structures, the carboxylate groups are engaged in short contacts with the cations and in hydrogen bonds with water molecules, if present. If both O atoms of the carboxylate group take part in such interactions, the negative charge is delocalized over the two atoms. In the absence of hydrogen bonds and contacts with cations, the negative charge is localized on one of the O atoms. In the crystal structures of tetramethylammonium 2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(E)‐(4‐nitrophenyl)diazenyl]benzoate and tetramethylammonium 2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(E)‐(2‐nitrophenyl)diazenyl]benzoate, both C₄H₁₂N⁺·C₁₃H₈N₃O₅⁻, all the interactions between the cations and anions are weak, and their effect on the geometry of the anions is negligible. Under these conditions, the 2‐nitro‐substituted anion is an almost pure phenol–carboxylate tautomer, whereas in the 4‐nitro‐substituted anion, the phenolic H atom is shifted towards the carboxylate group, and thus the structure of this anion is intermediate between the phenol–carboxylate and phenolate–carboxylic acid tautomeric forms. The probable formation of such an intermediate form is supported by quantum chemical calculations. Being the characteristic feature of this form, a short distance between the phenolic and carboxylate O atoms is observed in the 4‐nitro‐substituted anion, as well as in the structures of some 3,5‐dinitrosalicylates reported in the literature.