Template‐Free Synthesis of a Molecular Solomon Link by Two‐Component Self‐Assembly

A molecular Solomon link was synthesized in high yield through the template‐free, coordination‐driven self‐assembly of a carbazole‐functionalized donor and a tetracene‐based dinuclear ruthenium(II) acceptor. The doubly interlocked topology was realized by a strategically chosen ligand which was capable of participating in multiple CH ??? π and π–π interactions, as evidenced from single‐crystal X‐ray analysis and computational studies. This method is the first example of a two‐component self‐assembly of a molecular Solomon link using a directional bonding approach. The donor alone was not responsible for the construction of the Solomon link, and was confirmed by its noncatenane self‐assemblies obtained with other similar ruthenium(II) acceptors.     

An Expansion of Crystalline Sponge X-ray Analysis to Elucidate the Molecular Structure of Reactive Compounds via Ion Pair Formation

The crystalline sponge (CS) method allows structural elucidation of a target compound (guest) in solution by single crystal X-ray diffraction through trapping the guest into the CS framework. In principle, the CS method is inapplicable to reactive compounds that break the CS framework, such as acidic, basic, or nucleophilic ones. Here, a solution to this problem is disclosed wherein an ion pair of the guest compound is formed during the guest-soaking step by adding a suitable reagent. The ion pair can be observed and does not damage the CS framework. Using the developed method, amino, guanidino, and amidino compounds have been successfully analyzed as ion pairs with sulfonic acids. Practical utility has been shown because the absolute configurations of optically resolved amine derivatives were revealed with only a few micrograms. This demonstrates that the ion-pair-soaking method is simple and expands the range of compounds applicable to the CS method.     

Synthesis,Isolation, and Trifluoromethylation of Two Isomers of C84‐Based Monometallic Cyanide Clusterfullerenes: Interplay between the Endohedral Cluster and the Exohedral Addends

As an emerging member of endohedral fullerenes, metal cyanide clusterfullerenes (CYCF) are unique in terms of the encapsulation of a monometallic cluster. To date the reported carbon cages of CYCFs are limited to C₈₂ and C₇₆, and little is known about the chemical reactivity of CYCFs. Herein, two isomers of the first C₈₄‐based CYCFs, YCN@C₈₄, were isolated as trifluoromethyl derivatives, including YCN@C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₈ and three isomers of YCN@C₈₄(13)(CF₃)₁₆, which are based on a unique chiral C ₂‐C₈₄(13) cage. As a common feature of the CF₃ addition patterns, the YCN@C₈₄(CF₃)_16/18 compounds are stabilized by the formation of isolated C=C bonds and benzenoid rings on the carbon cages. The interplay between the endohedral YCN cluster and the exhohedral CF₃ addends was unveiled according to single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, thus offering new insight into the chemical reactivity of CYCFs.     

Gas‐Phase Peptide Structures Unraveled by Far‐IR Spectroscopy: Combining IR‐UV Ion‐Dip Experiments with Born–Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Vibrational spectroscopy provides an important probe of the three‐dimensional structures of peptides. With increasing size, these IR spectra become very complex and to extract structural information, comparison with theoretical spectra is essential. Harmonic DFT calculations have become a common workhorse for predicting vibrational frequencies of small neutral and ionized gaseous peptides. ¹ Although the far‐IR region (<500 cm^?1) may contain a wealth of structural information, as recognized in condensed phase studies, ² DFT often performs poorly in predicting the far‐IR spectra of peptides. Here, Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) is applied to predict the far‐IR signatures of two γ‐turn peptides. Combining experiments and simulations, far‐IR spectra can provide structural information on gas‐phase peptides superior to that extracted from mid‐IR and amide A features.     

Evolving Opportunities in Structure Solution from Powder Diffraction Data—Crystal Structure Determination of a Molecular System with Twelve Variable Torsion Angles

The genetic algorithm approach , in which a population of trial structures is allowed to evolve subject to well-defined procedures for mating, mutation, and natural selection, was employed to solve the complex molecular crystal structure of Ph₂P(O)(CH₂)₇P(O)Ph₂ directly from powder diffraction data. The structure solution reveals an interesting (perhaps unexpected) molecular conformation (see picture), which emphasizes the importance of allowing complete conformational flexibility of the molecule in the structure solution calculation.     

RA‐dimer B,a New Dimeric RA‐series Cyclopeptide Incorporating Two Different Types of Cycloisodityrosine Units,from Rubia cordifolia L.

RA‐dimer B, a new cytotoxic RA‐series peptide, was isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis to be a dimeric cyclopeptide composed of deoxybouvardin and allo‐RA‐V. Those two cyclopeptide units are connected by an ether linkage between the phenolic oxygen atom of deoxybouvardin and the ?a carbon atom of Tyr‐6 of allo‐RA‐V. RA‐dimer B was synthesized by the coupling reaction of deoxybouvardin with the boronic acid derivative of allo‐RA‐V, and subsequent deprotection, confirming the relative stereochemistry and establishing the absolute configuration of this peptide. RA‐dimer B showed cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukaemia HL‐60, human colonic carcinoma HCT‐116, and human renal cell carcinoma ACHN cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.59, 0.54, and 0.74 μm , respectively.     

On the Molecular Structure and Bonding in a Lithium Bismuth Porphyrin Complex: LiBi(TPP)2

A new Bi? Li porphyrin sandwich compound, LiBi(TPP)₂ has been synthesized and characterized (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin). The unique molecular structure of LiBi(TPP)₂ is such that the Bi sits between the porphyrins and is directed towards the Li. This complex was shown to remain intact in solution by temperature‐dependent 2D NMR spectroscopy. In order to investigate the potential interaction between these two metals, DFT calculations were used and showed a Bi 6s orbital polarized towards Li which could be indicative of a Bi? Li dative bond. This bond is remarkably short, 2.87 Å, and is among the shortest Bi? Li distances seen in a small molecule.     

Efficient Screening for Ternary Molecular Ionic Cocrystals Using a Complementary Mechanosynthesis and Computational Structure Prediction Approach

The discovery of molecular ionic cocrystals (ICCs) of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) widens the opportunities for optimizing the physicochemical properties of APIs whilst facilitating the delivery of multiple therapeutic agents. However, ICCs are often observed serendipitously in crystallization screens and the factors dictating their crystallization are poorly understood. We demonstrate here that mechanochemical ball milling is a versatile technique for the reproducible synthesis of ternary molecular ICCs in less than 30 min of grinding with or without solvent. Computational crystal structure prediction (CSP) calculations have been performed on ternary molecular ICCs for the first time and the observed crystal structures of all the ICCs were correctly predicted. Periodic dispersion-corrected DFT calculations revealed that all the ICCs are thermodynamically stable (mean stabilization energy=−2 kJ mol⁻¹) relative to the crystallization of a physical mixture of the binary salt and acid. The results suggest that a combined mechanosynthesis and CSP approach could be used to target the synthesis of higher-order molecular ICCs with functional properties.     

New mixed-halide, boron-centered zirconium cluster phases with different cation distributions within a cluster framework: syntheses and structures of A[(Zr6B)ClxI14−x] (A=Na or Cs, 0x4)

Two new mixed-halide zirconium cluster phases have been synthesized by solid-state reactions in sealed tantalum containers from the Zr(IV) halides, elemental Zr and B, and NaI or CsCl, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray data were used to determine the crystal structures of Na[(Zr₆B)Cl_3.9I_10.1], and Cs[(Zr₆B)Cl_2.2I_11.8]. Both phases crystallize in a stuffed version of the [Nb₆Cl₁₄] structure type, orthorhombic, space group Cmca (Na[(Zr₆B)Cl_3.87(5)I_10.13]: a=15.787(2) Å, b=14.109(2) Å, c=12.505(2) Å, Z=4, R1(F)=0.0322 and wR2(F²)=0.0842; Cs[(Zr₆B)Cl_2.16(5)I_11.84]: a=15.696(4) Å, b=14.156(4) Å, c=12.811(4) Å, Z=4, R1(F)=0.0404 and wR2(F²)=0.1031). This structure type is constructed of clusters which contain centered (Zr₆Z) octahedra of the type [(Zr₆Z)X₁₂ⁱX₆^a] with Z=B and X=Cl and/or I. In both structures, chlorine and iodine atoms are randomly (to X-rays) distributed on the inner non-cluster-interconnecting ligand positions, whereas those sites which bridge metal octahedra are solely occupied by iodine. The phase widths for both phases have been found to cover 0x4 for A^I[(Zr₆B)Cl_xI_14−x]. Whereas the sodium cations in Na[(Zr₆B)Cl_xI_14−x] occupy 25% of a site which is octahedrally surrounded by halogen atoms, the larger cations in the cesium-containing phase occupy a 12-coordinate site within the cluster network.     

Two Crystal Forms of a Hydrated 2:1 β-Cyclodextrin Fluconazole Complex: Single Crystal X-ray Structures,Dehydration Profiles,and Conditions for Their Individual Isolation

Inclusion complexes between cyclodextrins (CDs) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have potential for pharmaceutical formulation. Since crystallization of a given complex may result in the isolation of multiple crystal forms, it is essential to characterize these forms with respect to their structures and physicochemical properties to optimize pharmaceutical candidate selection. Here, we report the preparation and characterization of two crystallographically distinct hydrated forms of an inclusion complex between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and the antifungal API fluconazole (FLU) as well as temperature–concentration conditions required for their individual isolation. Determination of crystal water contents was achieved using thermoanalytical methods. X-ray analyses revealed distinct structural differences between the triclinic (TBCDFLU, space group P1) and monoclinic (MBCDFLU, space group C2) crystal forms. Removal of the crystals from their mother liquors led to rapid dehydration of the MBCDFLU crystal, while the TBCDFLU crystal was stable, a result that could be reconciled with the distinct packing arrangements in the respective crystals. This study highlights (a) the importance of identifying possible multiple forms of a cyclodextrin API complex and controlling the crystallization conditions, and (b) the need to characterize such crystal forms to determine the extent to which their physicochemical properties may differ.