Neutral 4‐phenyl‐1‐[phenyl(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]semicarbazide and its salt forms with inorganic anions

Semicarbazones can exist in two tautomeric forms. In the solid state, they are found in the keto form. This work presents the synthesis, structures and spectroscopic characterization (IR and NMR spectroscopy) of four such compounds, namely the neutral molecule 4‐phenyl‐1‐[phenyl(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]semicarbazide, C₁₉H₁₆N₄O, (I), abbreviated as HBzPyS, and three different hydrated salts, namely the chloride dihydrate, C₁₉H₁₇N₄O⁺·Cl^?·2H₂O, (II), the nitrate dihydrate, C₁₉H₁₇N₄O⁺·NO₃^?·2H₂O, (III), and the thiocyanate 2.5‐hydrate, C₁₉H₁₇N₄O⁺·SCN^?·2.5H₂O, (IV), of 2‐[phenyl({[(phenylcarbamoyl)amino]imino})methyl]pyridinium, abbreviated as [H₂BzPyS]⁺·X^?·nH₂O, with X = Cl^? and n = 2 for (II), X = NO₃^? and n = 2 for (III), and X = SCN^? and n = 2.5 for (IV), showing the influence of the anionic form in the intermolecular interactions. Water molecules and counter‐ions (chloride or nitrate) are involved in the formation of a two‐dimensional arrangement by the establishment of hydrogen bonds with the N—H groups of the cation, stabilizing the E isomers in the solid state. The neutral HBzPyS molecule crystallized as the E isomer due to the existence of weak π–π interactions between pairs of molecules. The calculated IR spectrum of the hydrated [H₂BzPyS]⁺ cation is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

The keto→enol photoisomerization of N‐salicilydenemethylfurylamine: Nonadiabatic ab initio dynamics simulation

The photoinduced isomerization of cis‐keto and trans‐keto isomers in N‐salicilydenemethylfurylamine has been studied using the surface‐hopping approach at the CASSCF level of theory. After the cis‐keto or trans‐keto isomer is excited to S₁ state, the molecule initially moves to a excited‐state local minimum. The torsional motion around relative bonds in the chain drives the molecule to approach a keto‐form conical intersection and then nonadiabatic transition occurs. According to our full‐dimensional dynamics simulations, the trans‐keto and enol photoproducts are responsible for the photochromic effect of cis‐keto isomer excited to S₁ state, while no enol isomer was obtained in the photoisomerization of trans keto on excitation. The cis keto to enol and cis keto to trans keto isomerizations are reversible photochemical reactions. It is confirmed that this aromatic Schiff base is a potential molecular switch. Furthermore, the torsion of C N bond occurs in the radiationless decay of trans‐keto isomer, while it is completely suppressed by an intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction in the dynamics of cis‐keto form. Moreover, the excited‐state lifetime of cis keto is longer than that of trans‐keto form due to the O···H N hydrogen bond.     

Modulation of Excited‐State Proton Transfer of 2‐(2′‐Hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole in a Macrocyclic Cucurbit[7]uril Host Cavity: Dual Emission Behavior and pKa Shift

The effect of the macrocyclic host, cucurbit[7]uril (CB7), on the photophysical properties of the 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HPBI) dye have been investigated in aqueous solution by using ground‐state absorption and steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence measurements. All three prototropic forms of the dye (cationic, neutral, and anionic) form inclusion complexes with CB7, with the largest binding constant found for the cationic form (K≈2.4×10⁶ M ^?1). At pH≈4, the appearance of a blue emission band upon excitation of the HPBI cation in the presence of CB7 indicates that encapsulation into the CB7 cavity retards the deprotonation process of the excited cation, and hence reduces its subsequent conversion to the keto form. Excitation of the neutral form (pH≈8.5), however, leads to an increase in the keto form fluorescence, indicating an enhanced excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer process for the encapsulated dye. In both the ground and excited states, the two pK_a values of the HPBI dye show upward shifts in the presence of CB7. The prototropic equilibrium of the CB7‐complexed dye is represented by a six‐state model, and the pH‐dependent changes in the binding constants have been analyzed accordingly. It has been observed that the calculated pK_a values using this six‐state model match well with the values obtained experimentally. The changes in the pK_a values in the presence of CB7 have been corroborated with the modulation of the proton‐transfer process of the dye within the host cavity.     

Excited‐State Proton‐Relay Dynamics of 7‐Hydroxyquinoline Embedded in a Solid Matrix of Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Excited 7‐hydroxyquinoline embedded in a solid matrix of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) undergoes a proton‐relay reaction efficiently to form its keto tautomer. However, the reaction mechanism depends on the torsional conformation and the microscopic environment of the molecule at the moment of excitation. Whereas the bridged cis‐enol form undergoes proton relay immediately on absorption of a photon to produce its tautomeric keto species, the unbridged cis form requires 120 ps for bridge formation via solvent reorganization prior to proton relay. Furthermore, the trans form needs 1000 ps for tautomerization because it requires an activated (11 kJ mol^?1) torsional motion to change into its cis form prior to bridge formation and proton relay. Torsional motion rather than solvent reorganization determines the proton relay rate of the trans‐form of the molecule.     

Photochromism and decolorization controlled by auxiliary ligands of complexes derived from 1‐methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium cation

Three 1‐methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium (MQ⁺)‐based complexes, {[Cd(MQ)(p‐BDC)Br]?H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[Cd(MQ)(m‐BDC)(H₂O)Br]?3H₂O}_n ( 2 ) and Cu(MQ)Br₂ ( 3 ) (p‐H₂BDC = 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, m‐H₂BDC = 1,3‐benzenedicarboxylic acid), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 are one‐dimensional coordination polymers constituted of one coordinated MQ⁺ cation, one coordinated Br^? ion and chains of Cd²⁺ ions connected by deprotonated BDC^2? units, which both have photochromism but different decolorization behaviors. The structures and photoresponsive behaviors controlled by auxiliary ligands have been explored. Compound 3 is constituted of one Cu⁺ center, one MQ⁺ ligand and two coordinated Br^? ions in a ‘V’ configuration, exhibiting no photochromism.     

Bis‐tert‐Alcohol‐Functionalized Crown‐6‐Calix[4]arene: An Organic Promoter for Nucleophilic Fluorination

A bis‐tert‐alcohol‐functionalized crown‐6‐calix[4]arene (BACCA) was designed and prepared as a multifunctional organic promoter for nucleophilic fluorinations with CsF. By formation of a CsF/BACCA complex, BACCA could release a significantly active and selective fluoride source for S_N2 fluorination reactions. The origin of the promoting effects of BACCA was studied by quantum chemical methods. The role of BACCA was revealed to be separation of the metal fluoride to a large distance (>8 Å), thereby producing an essentially “free” F^?. The synergistic actions of the crown‐6‐calix[4]arene subunit (whose O atoms coordinate the counter‐cation Cs⁺) and the terminal tert‐alcohol OH groups (forming controlled hydrogen bonds with F^?) of BACCA led to tremendous efficiency in S_N2 fluorination of base‐sensitive substrates.     

Tautomer‐Specific Resonant Photoelectron Imaging of Deprotonated Cytosine Anions

Tautomers of the nucleobases play fundamental roles in spontaneous mutations of DNA. Tautomers of neutral cytosine have been studied in the gas phase, but much less is known about charged species. Here, we report the observation and characterization of three tautomers of deprotonated cytosine anions, [trans‐keto‐amino‐N3H‐H8b] (tKAN3H8b^?), [cis‐keto‐amino‐N3H‐H8a] (cKAN3H8a^?) and [keto‐amino‐H] (KAN1^?), produced by electrospray ionization. Excited dipole‐bound states (DBSs) are uncovered for the three anions by photodetachment spectroscopy. Excitations to selected DBS vibrational levels of cKAN3H8a^? and tKAN3H8b^? yield tautomer‐specific resonant photoelectron spectra. The current study provides further insight into tautomerism of cytosine and suggests a new method to study the tautomers of nucleobases using electrospray ionization and anion spectroscopy.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in the cocrystal salt [Fe(bpe)2(H2O)4](TCEP)2·2(bpe) [bpe is trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene and TCEP is 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide]

The cocrystal salt tetraaquabis[trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κN]iron(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide)–trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (1/2), [Fe(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)₂(H₂O)₄](C₉H₅N₄O)₂·2C₁₂H₁₀N₂, is a rare example of a mononuclear Fe^II compound with trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethane (bpe) ligands. The complex cation resides on a crystallographically imposed inversion center and exhibits a tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Both the symmetry‐independent bpe ligand and the cocrystallized bpe molecule are essentially planar. The 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide counter‐ion is nonplanar and the bond lengths are consistant with significant electron delocalization. The extended structure exhibits an extensive O—H…N hydrogen‐bonding network with layers of complex cations joined by the cocrystallized bpe. Both the coordinated and the cocrystallized bpe are involved in π–π interactions. Hirshfeld and fingerprint plots reveal the important intermolecular interactions. Density functional theory was used to estimate the strengths of the hydrogen‐bonding and π–π interactions, and suggest that the O—H…N hydrogen bonds enhance the strength of the π‐interactions by increasing the polarization of the pyridine rings.     

A p‐Quinodimethane‐Bridged Porphyrin Dimer

A p‐quinodimethane (p‐QDM)‐bridged porphyrin dimer 1 has been prepared for the first time. An unexpected Michael addition reaction took place when we attempted to synthesize compound 1 by reaction of the cross‐conjugated keto‐linked porphyrin dimers 8 a and 8 b with alkynyl/aryl Grignard reagents. Alternatively, compound 1 could be successfully prepared by intramolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation of the diol‐linked porphyrin dimer 14 with concomitant oxidation in air. Compound 1 shows intense one‐photon absorption (OPA, λ_max=955 nm, ε=45400 M ^?1 cm^?1) and a large two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross‐section (σ⁽²⁾_max=2080 GM at 1800 nm) in the near‐infrared (NIR) region due to its extended π‐conjugation and quinoidal character. It also exhibits a short singlet excited‐state lifetime of 25 ps. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 displays multiple redox waves with a small electrochemical energy gap of 0.86 eV. The ground‐state geometry, electronic structure, and optical properties of 1 have been further studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and compared with those of the keto‐linked dimer 8 b . This research has revealed that incorporation of a p‐QDM unit into the porphyrin framework had a significant impact on its optical and electronic properties, leading to a novel NIR OPA and TPA chromophore.     

Structural characterization of isomeric 2,3,5‐substituted tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4‐d]isoxazole‐4,6‐diones prepared by cycloaddition of N‐methyl‐C‐arylnitrones to N‐phenyl‐ or N‐methylmaleimide

1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of N‐methyl‐C‐arylnitrones with N‐phenyl‐ or N‐methylmaleimide were studied. The reaction of p‐dimethylamino‐, 4‐benzyloxy‐3‐methoxy‐, p‐nitro‐ and p‐chloro‐substituted phenylnitrones with N‐phenylmaleimide gave cis and trans cycloadducts but that of the corresponding phenylnitrones with N‐methylmaleimides only the cis adducts in the case of p‐dimethylamino and 4‐benzyloxy‐3‐methoxy substitution. All cis adducts attain a biased conformation whereas the trans forms are shown (by ¹H NMR at 233 K and ¹³C NMR at 208 K) to be mixtures of two invertomers, namely o‐(N‐lone pair antiperiplanar to 3H; minor) and i‐conformations (3H‐C‐C‐3aH dihedral angle close to 90°; major). PM3 and DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6–31G(d) level of theory prove qualitatively that these two conformers of the trans adduct are of comparable stability and represent energy minima.     

Synthese und Struktur von N,N,N‴,N‴‐Tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioharnstoff) und Dimethanol‐bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato))dicobalt(II)

Synthesis and Structure of N,N,N?,N?‐Tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thiourea) and Dimethanol‐bis(N,N,N?,N?‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato))dicobalt(II) The synthesis and the crystal structure of the ligand N,N,N?,N?‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thiourea) and its Co^II‐complex are reported. The ligand co‐ordinates quadridentately forming a di‐bischelate. The donor atoms O and S are arranged in cis‐position around the central Co^II ions. In addition the co‐ordination geometry is determined by methanol molecules resulting in the co‐ordination number five. The complex crystallizes in the space group P1 (Z = 1) with two additional methanol molecules per formula unit. The free ligand crystallizes in the space group P1 (Z = 2) with one methanol molecule per formula unit. It shows the typical keto form of N‐acylthioureas with a protonated central N atom. The structures of both acylthiourea fragments come close to E,Z′‐configurations.     

Hirshfeld and DFT analysis of the N‐heterocyclic carbene proligand methylenebis(N‐butylimidazolium) as the acetonitrile‐solvated diiodide salt

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based systems are usually exploited in the exploration of catalytic mechanisms and processes in organocatalysis, and homo‐ and heterogeneous catalysis. However, their molecular structures have not received adequate attention. The NHC proligand methylenebis(N‐butylimidazolium) has been synthesized as the acetonitrile solvate of the diiodide salt, C₁₅H₂₆N₄²⁺·2I⁻·CH₃CN [1,1′‐methylenebis(3‐butylimidazolium) diiodide acetonitrile monosolvate], and fully characterized. An interesting cation–anion connection pattern has been identified in the crystal lattice, in which three iodide anions interact simultaneously with the cisoid‐oriented cation. A Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals the predominance of hydrogen bonding over anion–π interactions. This particular arrangement is observed in different methylene‐bridged bis(imidazolium) cations bearing chloride or bromide counter‐anions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with acetonitrile as solvent reproduce the geometry of the title cation.     

Halide‐Anion Binding by Singly and Doubly N‐Confused Porphyrins

The halide‐binding properties of N‐confused porphyrin (NCP, 1 ) and doubly N‐confused porphyrins (trans‐N₂CP ( 2 ), cis‐N₂CP ( 3 )) were examined in CH₂Cl₂. In the free‐base forms, cis‐N₂CP ( 3 ) showed the highest affinity to each anion (Cl^?, Br^?, I^?) with association constants K_a=7.8×10³, 1.9×10³, and 5.8×10² M ^?1, respectively. As metal complexes, on the other hand, trans‐N₂CP 2–Cu exhibited the highest affinity to Cl^?, Br^?, and I^? with K_a=9.0×10⁴, 2.7×10⁴, and 1.9×10³ M ^?1, respectively. The corresponding K_a values for cis‐N₂CP 3–Cu and NCP 1–Cu were about 1/10 and 1/2, respectively, of those of 2–Cu . With the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and complementary affinity measurements of a series of trisubstituted N‐confused porphyrins, the efficient anion binding of NCPs was attributed to strong hydrogen bonding at the highly polarized NH moieties owing to the electron‐deficient C₆F₅ groups at meso positions as well as the ideally oriented dipole moments and large molecular polarizability. The orientation and magnitude of the dipole moments in NCPs were suggested to be important factors in the differentiation of the affinity for anions.     

Bis[2,4‐diamino‐5‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidin‐1‐ium] dl‐malate

<!?tpct=1pt>Racemic malic acid and trimethoprim [5‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine] form a 1:2 salt (monoclinic, P2₁/c), 2C₁₄H₁₉N₄O₃⁺·C₄H₄O₅²⁻, in which the malate component is disordered across a centre of inversion. The crystal structure of the salt consists of protonated trimethoprim residues and a malate dianion. The carboxylate group of the malate ion interacts with the trimethoprim cation in a linear fashion through pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a cyclic hydrogen‐bonded motif. This is similar to the carboxylate–trimethoprim cation interaction observed earlier in the complex of dihydrofolate reductase with trimethoprim. The structure of the salt of trimethoprim with racemic dl ‐malic acid reported here is the first of its kind. The present study investigates the conformations and the hydrogen‐bonding interactions, which are very important for biological functions. The pyrimidine plane makes a dihedral angle of 78.08 (7)° with the benzene ring of the trimethoprim cation. The cyclic hydrogen‐bonded motif observed in this structure is self‐organized, leading to novel types of hydrogen‐bonding motifs in supramolecular patterns.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of trans‐dibromidobis(2,2‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine‐κ2N,N′)chromium(III) perchlorate

The title complex salt, trans‐anti‐[CrBr₂(Me₂tn)₂]ClO₄ (where Me₂tn = 2,2‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine, C₅H₁₄N₂), was prepared and its structure determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction at 100 K. The asymmetric unit contains three conformationally similar complex cations and three perchlorate anions. In each complex cation, the Cr^III centre is coordinated by four N atoms of two chelating Me₂tn ligands in the equatorial plane and by two Br atoms in a trans‐axial arrangement, to give a distorted octahedral geometry. Interionic contacts are dominated by extensive hydrogen bonding, involving the NH groups of the Me₂tn ligand as donors and the anion O atoms or coordinated Br atoms as acceptors, resulting in two‐dimensional layers in the bc plane. Ligand field analysis based on the angular overlap model, and IR and electronic spectroscopic properties, are also discussed.     

N‐Butylpyridinium undecachlorocarbadodecaborate and comparison with similar compounds

The title compound, C₉H₁₄N⁺·CHB₁₁Cl₁₁⁻, was obtained in the course of our continuing studies of the low‐melting salts of closo‐ and nido‐carborane cage anions with alkylpyridinium and dialkylimidazolium cations. The title compound is the first example of a pyridinium salt of a perchlorinated carborane anion. The structure consists of one N‐butylpyridinium cation counterbalanced by one perchlorinated carborane cage anion per asymmetric unit. By changing the counter‐ion, different packings are observed, and to try to understand this the new structure is compared with five similar compounds.     

Temperature‐induced pseudopolymorphism of molecular salts from a pyridyl bis‐urea macrocycle and naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonic acid

Molecular salts, often observed as cocrystals, play an important role in the fields of pharmaceutics and materials science, where salt formation is used to tune the properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and improve the stability of solid‐state materials. Salt formation via a proton‐transfer reaction typically alters hydrogen‐bonding motifs and influences supramolecular assembly patterns. We report here the molecular salts formed by the pyridyl bis‐urea macrocycle 3,5,13,15,21,22‐hexaazatricyclo[15.3.1.1^7,11]docosa‐1(21),7(22),8,10,17,19‐hexaene‐4,14‐dione, ( 1 ), and naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonic acid (H₂NDS) as two salt cocrystal solvates, namely 4,14‐dioxo‐3,5,13,15,21,22‐hexaazatricyclo[15.3.1.1^7,11]docosa‐1(21),7(22),8,10,17,19‐hexaene‐21,22‐diium naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate dimethyl sulfoxide disolvate, C₁₆H₂₀N₆O₂²⁺·C₁₀H₆O₆S₂²⁻·2C₂H₆OS, ( 2 ), and the corresponding monosolvate, C₁₆H₂₀N₆O₂²⁺·C₁₀H₆O₆S₂²⁻·C₂H₆OS, ( 3 ). This follows the ΔpK_a rule such that there is a proton transfer from H₂NDS to ( 1 ), forming the reported molecular salts through hydrogen bonding. Prior to salt formation, ( 1 ) is relatively planar and assembles into columnar structures. The salt cocrystal solvates were obtained upon slow cooling of dimethyl sulfoxide–acetonitrile solutions of the molecular components from two temperatures (363 and 393 K). The proton transfer to ( 1 ) significantly alters the conformation of the macrocycle, changing the formerly planar macrocycle into a step‐shaped conformation with trans–cis urea groups in ( 2 ) or into a bowl‐shape conformation with trans–trans urea groups in ( 3 ).     

Ring opening of pyridines: the pseudo‐cis and pseudo‐trans isomers of tetra‐n‐butylammonium 4‐nitro‐5‐oxo‐2‐pentenenitrilate

The reaction of 2‐chloro‐5‐nitropyridine with two equivalents of base produces the title carbanion as an intermediate in a ring‐opening/ring‐closing reaction. The crystal structures of the tetra‐n‐butylammonium salts of the intermediates, C₁₆H₃₆N⁺·C₅H₃N₂O₃⁻, revealed that pseudo‐cis and pseudo‐trans isomers are possible. One crystal structure displayed a mixture of the two isomers with approximately 90% pseudo‐cis geometry and confirms the structure predicted by the S_N(ANRORC) mechanism. The pseudo‐cis intermediate undergoes a slow isomerization over a period of months to the pseudo‐trans isomer, which does not have the appropriate geometry for the subsequent ring‐closing reaction. The structure of the pure pseudo‐trans isomer is also reported. In both isomers, the negative charge is highly delocalized, but relatively small differences in C—C bond distances indicate a system of conjugated double bonds with the nitro group bearing the negative charge. The packing of the two unit cells is very similar and largely determined by the interactions between the planar carbanion and the bulky tetrahedral cation.     

Uranium–Carbene–Imido Metalla‐Allenes: Ancillary‐Ligand‐Controlled cis‐/trans‐Isomerisation and Assessment of trans Influence in the R2C=UIV=NR′ Unit (R=Ph2PNSiMe3; R′=CPh3)

Uranium(IV)–carbene–imido complexes [U(BIPM^TMS)(NCPh₃)(κ²‐N,N′‐BIPY)] ( 2 ; BIPM^TMS=C(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂; BIPY=2,2‐bipyridine) and [U(BIPM^TMS)(NCPh₃)(DMAP)₂] ( 3 ; DMAP=4‐dimethylamino‐pyridine) that contain unprecedented, discrete R₂C=U=NR′ units are reported. These complexes complete the family of E=U=E (E=CR₂, NR, O) metalla‐allenes with feasible first‐row hetero‐element combinations. Intriguingly, 2 and 3 contain cis‐ and trans‐C=U=N units, respectively, representing rare examples of controllable cis/trans isomerisation in f‐block chemistry. This work reveals a clear‐cut example of the trans influence in a mid‐valent uranium system, and thus a strong preference for the cis isomer, which is computed in a co‐ligand‐free truncated model—to isolate the electronic trans influence from steric contributions—to be more stable than the trans isomer by approximately 12 kJ mol^?1 with an isomerisation barrier of approximately 14 kJ mol^?1.     

Two polymorphs of bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)copper(I) iodide

The title complex, [Cu(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]I, (I), has been crystallized in two polymorphic forms, both containing four‐coordinate copper. Both forms are orthorhombic, with form (Ia) crystallizing in the primitive space group Pban and form (Ib) in the c‐centred space group Ccca. In (Ia), the complex cation and the I⁻ anion both have 222 crystallographic symmetry, and in (Ib), the complex cation has approximate 222 symmetry, with the I⁻ counter‐ion distributed over three special positions.