Self‐assembly of supramolecular polymers into tunable helical structures

There is growing interest in the design of synthetic molecules that are able to self‐assemble into a polymeric chain with compact helical conformations, which is analogous to the folded state of natural proteins. Herein, we highlight supramolecular approach to the formation of helical architectures and their conformational changes driven by external stimuli. Helical organization in synthetic self‐assembling systems can be achieved by the various types of noncovalent interactions, which include hydrogen bonding, solvophobic effects, and metal‐ligand interactions. Since the external environment can have a large influence on the strength and configuration of noncovalent interactions between the individual components, stimulus‐induced alterations in the intramolecular noncovalent interactions can result in dynamic conformational change of the supramolecular helical structure thus, driving significant changes in the properties of the materials. Therefore, these supramolecular helices hold great promise as stimuli‐responsive materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1925–1935, 2008     

Two‐dimensional ZnII and one‐dimensional CoII coordination polymers based on benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate and pyridine ligands

Coordination polymers constructed from metal ions and organic ligands have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse structural topologies and potential applications. Ligands containing carboxylate groups are among the most extensively studied because of their versatile coordination modes. Reactions of benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂BDC) and pyridine (py) with Zn^II or Co^II yielded two new coordination polymers, namely, poly[(μ₄‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O:O′:O′′:O′′′)(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₈H₄O₂)(C₅H₅N)]_n, (I), and catena‐poly[aqua(μ₃‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O:O′:O′′)bis(pyridine‐κN)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₈H₄O₂)(C₅H₅N)₂(H₂O)]_n, (II). In compound (I), the Zn^II cation is five‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four BDC²⁻ ligands and one pyridine N atom in a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. Four carboxylate groups bridge two Zn^II ions to form centrosymmetric paddle‐wheel‐like Zn₂(μ₂‐COO)₄ units, which are linked by the benzene rings of the BDC²⁻ ligands to generate a two‐dimensional layered structure. The two‐dimensional layer is extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings. Compound (II) has a one‐dimensional double‐chain structure based on Co₂(μ₂‐COO)₂ units. The Co^II cations are bridged by BDC²⁻ ligands and are octahedrally coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three BDC²⁻ ligands, one water O atom and two pyridine N atoms. Interchain O—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions link these chains to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

The effect of the coordination orientation of N atoms on polymeric structures: synthesis and characterization of one‐ and two‐dimensional CuII coordination polymers based on 4‐amino‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐[(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole

Three new one‐ (1D) and two‐dimensional (2D) Cu^II coordination polymers, namely poly[[bis{μ₂‐4‐amino‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐[(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}copper(II)] bis(methanesulfonate) tetrahydrate], {[Cu(C₁₃H₁₂N₅S)₂](CH₃SO₃)₂·4H₂O}_n ( 1 ), catena‐poly[[copper(II)‐bis{μ₂‐4‐amino‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}] dinitrate methanol disolvate], {[Cu(C₁₃H₁₂N₅S)₂](NO₃)₂·2CH₃OH}_n ( 2 ), and catena‐poly[[copper(II)‐bis{μ₂‐4‐amino‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}] bis(perchlorate) monohydrate], {[Cu(C₁₃H₁₂N₅S)₂](ClO₄)₂·H₂O}_n ( 3 ), were obtained from 4‐amino‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐[(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole with pyridin‐3‐yl terminal groups and from 4‐amino‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole with pyridin‐4‐yl terminal groups. Compound 1 displays a 2D net‐like structure. The 2D layers are further linked through hydrogen bonds between methanesulfonate anions and amino groups on the framework and guest H₂O molecules in the lattice to form a three‐dimensional (3D) structure. Compound 2 and 3 exhibit 1D chain structures, in which the complicated hydrogen‐bonding interactions play an important role in the formation of the 3D network. These experimental results indicate that the coordination orientation of the heteroatoms on the ligands has a great influence on the polymeric structures. Moreover, the selection of different counter‐anions, together with the inclusion of different guest solvent molecules, would also have a great effect on the hydrogen‐bonding systems in the crystal structures.     

Synthesis of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers with Benzophenone-4,4′-dicarboxylate： Effect of Lanthanide Contraction on Structures

Four lanthanide coordination polymers with benzophenone‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bpndc) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), [Ln₂(bpndc)₃(phen)] (Ln=La (1), Pr (2) and Tb (3)), [Yb(bpndc)₁₅(phen)].05H₂O (4) were obtained through solvothermal synthesis. The crystallographic data show that 1, 2, and 3 are isostructural, the Ln(III) ions in 1, 2 and 3 are all eight‐ and ten‐coordinated, respectively, and thus the Ln(III) ions are connected by bpndc ligands, resulting in an interpenetrating 3D structure. While in 4, the Yb(III) ions are eight‐coordinated and connected by bpndc ligands into a 3D structure with 1D rhombic channels, which result from the effect of lanthanide contraction from La(III) to Yb(III) ions, and the bpndc ligands in 1, 2, 3, and 4 display three types of coordination modes.     

Anion‐directed assemblies of europium(III) coordination polymers based on 1H‐benzimidazole‐5,6‐dicarboxylate: structures and luminescence properties

Two europium(III) coordination polymers (CPs), namely, poly[[diaquabis(μ₄‐1H‐benzimidazole‐5,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁶N³:O⁵,O^5′:O⁵,O⁶:O^6′)(μ₂‐oxalato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O^1′,O^2′)dieuropium(III)] dihydrate], {[Eu₂(C₉H₄N₂O₄)₂(C₂O₄)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n ( 1 ), and poly[(μ₃‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium‐5,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁵O⁵:O^5′,O⁶:O⁶,O^6′)(μ₃‐sulfato‐κ³O:O′:O′′)europium(III)], [Eu(C₉H₅N₂O₄)(SO₄)]_n ( 2 ), have been synthesized via the hydrothermal method and structurally characterized. CP 1 shows a three‐dimensional network, in which the oxalate ligand acts as a pillar, while CP 2 has a two‐dimensional network based on a europium(III)–sulfate skeleton, further extended into a three‐dimensional framework by hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The structural diversity in the two compounds can be attributed to the different acidification abilities and geometries of the anionic ligands. The luminescence properties of 1 display the characteristic europium red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (2/3, 0.34). Interestingly, CP 2 shows the characteristic red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.60, 0.34) when excited at 280 nm and a near‐white emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.38, 0.29) when excited at 340 nm.     

Temperature‐induced solid‐to‐solid transformation in helical homochiral coordination polymers

The reactions of (R)‐ and (S)‐4‐(1‐carboxyethoxy)benzoic acid (H₂CBA) with 1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,3‐BMIB) ligands afforded a pair of homochiral coordination polymers (CPs), namely, poly[[[μ‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene][μ‐(S)‐4‐(1‐carboxylatoethoxy)benzoato]zinc(II)] monohydrate], {[Zn(C₁₀H₈O₅)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]·H₂O}_n or {[Zn{(S)‐CBA}(1,3‐BMIB)]·H₂O}_n ( 1‐L ), and poly[[[μ‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene][μ‐(R)‐4‐(1‐carboxylatoethoxy)benzoato]zinc(II)] monohydrate] ( 1‐D ). Three kinds of helical chains exist in compounds 1‐D and 1‐L , which are constructed from Zn^II atoms, 1,3‐BMIB ligands and/or CBA^2? ligands. When the as‐synthesized crystals of 1‐L and 1‐D were further heated in the mother liquor or air, poly[[μ‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene][μ‐(S)‐4‐(1‐carboxylatoethoxy)benzoato]zinc(II)], [Zn(C₁₀H₈O₅)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n or [Zn{(S)‐CBA}(1,3‐BMIB)]_n ( 2‐L ), and poly[[μ‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene][μ‐(R)‐4‐(1‐carboxylatoethoxy)benzoato]zinc(II)] ( 2‐D ) were obtained, respectively. The single‐crystal structure analysis revealed that 2‐L and 2‐D only contained one type of helical chain formed by Zn^II atoms and 1,3‐BMIB and CBA^2? ligands, which indicated that the helical chains were reconstructed though solid‐to‐solid transformation. This result not only means the realization of helical transformation, but also gives a feasible strategy to build homochiral CPs.     

Construction and photocatalytic properties of two metal‐mediated coordination polymers based on benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid and trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene

With the rapid development of modern industry, water pollution has become an intractable environmental issue facing humans worldwide. In particular, the organic dyes discharged into natural water from dyestuffs, dyeing and the textile industry are the main sources of pollution in wastewater. To eliminate these types of pollutants, degradation of organic contaminants through a photocatalytic technique is an effective methodology. To exploit more crystalline photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes, two coordination polymers, namely catena‐poly[[(3,5‐dicarboxybenzene‐1‐carboxylato‐κO ¹)silver(I)]‐μ‐trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κ²N :N ′], [Ag(C₉H₅O₆)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)]_n or [Ag(H₂BTC)(3,4′‐bpe)]_n , (I), and poly[[(μ₃‐5‐carboxybenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O ¹,O ^1′:O ³:O ³)[μ‐trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κ²N :N′ ]cadmium(II)] monohydrate], {[Cd(C₉H₄O₆)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)]·H₂O}_n or {[Cd(HBTC)(3,4′‐bpe)]·H₂O}_n , (II), have been prepared by the hydrothermal reactions of benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃BTC) and trans‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (3,4′‐bpe) in the presence of AgNO₃ or Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, respectively. These two title compounds have been structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction. In (I), the Ag^I ions and organic ligands form a one‐dimensional coordination chain, and adjacent coordination chains are connected by Ag…O interactions to give rise to a two‐dimensional supramolecular network. Each two‐dimensional network is entangled with other equivalent networks to generate an infrequent interlocked 2D→3D (2D and 3D are two‐ and three‐dimensional, respectively) supramolecular framework. In (II), the Cd^II ions are bridged by the HBTC²⁻ and 3,4′‐bpe ligands, which lie across centres of inversion, to give a two‐dimensional coordination network. The thermal stabilities and photocatalytic properties of the title compounds have also been studied.     

A novel one‐dimensional double‐chain‐like ZnII coordination polymer: poly[bis(1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN3)tris(μ‐cyanido‐κ2C:N)(cyanido‐κC)disilver(I)zinc(II)]

One of most interesting systems of coordination polymers constructed from the first‐row transition metals is the porous Zn^II coordination polymer system, but the numbers of such polymers containing N‐donor linkers are still limited. The title double‐chain‐like Zn^II coordination polymer, [Ag₂Zn(CN)₄(C₁₀H₁₀N₂)₂]_n, presents a one‐dimensional linear coordination polymer structure in which Zn^II ions are linked by bridging anionic dicyanidoargentate(I) units along the crystallographic b axis and each Zn^II ion is additionally coordinated by a terminal dicyanidoargentate(I) unit and two terminal 1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazole (BZI) ligands, giving a five‐coordinated Zn^II ion. Interestingly, there are strong intermolecular Ag^I…Ag^I interactions between terminal and bridging dicyanidoargentate(I) units and C—H…π interactions between the phenyl rings of BZI ligands of adjacent one‐dimensional linear chains, providing a one‐dimensional linear double‐chain‐like structure. The supramolecular three‐dimensional framework is stabilized by C—H…π interactions between the phenyl rings of BZI ligands and by Ag^I…Ag^I interactions between adjacent double chains. The photoluminescence properties have been studied.     

Novel one‐ and two‐dimensional ZnII coordination polymers based on a versatile 3,6‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenanthrene‐9,10‐dione ligand

Two new Zn^II coordination polymers, namely, catena‐poly[[dibromidozinc(II)]‐μ‐[3,6‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenanthrene‐9,10‐dione‐κ²N:N′]], [ZnBr₂(C₂₄H₁₄N₂O₂)]_n, (1), and poly[[bromido[μ₃‐10‐hydroxy‐3,6‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenanthren‐9‐olato‐κ³N:N′:O⁹]zinc(II)] hemihydrate], {[ZnBr(C₂₄H₁₅N₂O₂)]·0.5H₂O}_n, (2), have been synthesized through hydrothermal reaction of ZnBr₂ and a 60° angular phenanthrenedione‐based linker, i.e. 3,6‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenanthrene‐9,10‐dione, in different solvent systems. Single‐crystal analysis reveals that polymer (1) features one‐dimensional zigzag chains connected by weak C—H...π and π–π interactions to form a two‐dimensional network. The two‐dimensional networks are further stacked in an ABAB fashion along the a axis through C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Layers A and B comprise left‐ and right‐handed helical chains, respectively. Coordination polymer (2) displays a wave‐like two‐dimensional layered structure with helical chains. In this compound, there are two opposite helical –Zn–HL– chains [HL is 10‐hydroxy‐3,6‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenanthren‐9‐olate] in adjacent layers. The layers are packed in an ABAB sequence and are further connected through O—H...Br and O—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions to form a three‐dimensional framework. In (1) and (2), the mutidentate L and HL ligands exhibits different coordination modes.     

Killing two birds with one stone: 2D+2D→3D parallel stacking and 3D self‐penetrating structures in one reaction and their crystal‐to‐crystal transformation

Reaction of the flexible phenolic carboxylate ligand 2‐(3,5‐dicarboxylbenzyloxy)benzoic acid (H₃L) with nickel salts in the presence of 1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethylene (bpe) leads to the generation of a mixture of the two complexes under solvolthermal conditions, namely poly[[aqua[μ‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethylene‐κ²N:N′]{μ‐5‐[(2‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O¹,O^1′:O³}nickel(II)] dimethylformamide hemisolvate monohydrate], {[Ni(C₁₆H₁₀O₇)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)]·0.5C₃H₇NO·H₂O}_n or {[Ni(HL)(bpe)(H₂O)]·0.5DMF·H₂O}_n, 1 , and poly[[diaquatris[μ‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethylene‐κ²N:N′]bis{μ‐5‐[(2‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O⁵}nickel(II)] dimethylformamide disolvate hexahydrate], {[Ni₂(C₁₆H₁₀O₇)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)₃(H₂O)₂]·2C₃H₇NO·6H₂O}_n or {[Ni₂(HL)₂(bpe)₃(H₂O)₂]·2DMF·6H₂O}_n, 2 . In complex 1 , the Ni^II centres are connected by the carboxylate and bpe ligands to form two‐dimensional (2D) 4‐connected (4,4) layers, which are extended into a 2D+2D→3D (3D is three‐dimensional) supramolecular framework. In complex 2 , bpe ligands connect to Ni^II centres to form 2D layers with Ni₆(bpe)₆ metallmacrocycles. Interestingly, 2D+2D→3D inclined polycatenation was observed between these layers. The final 5‐connected 3D self‐penetrating structure was generated through further connection of Ni–carboxylate chains with these inclined motifs. Both complexes were fully characterized by single‐crystal analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, FT–IR spectra, elemental analyses, thermal analysis and UV–Vis spectra. Notably, an interesting metal/ligand‐induced crystal‐to‐crystal transformation was observed between the two complexes.     

Formation of a Hydrogen‐Bonded Heptazine Framework by Self‐Assembly of Melem into a Hexagonal Channel Structure

Self‐assembly of melem C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ in hot aqueous solution leads to the formation of hydrogen‐bonded, hexagonal rosettes of melem units surrounding infinite channels with a diameter of 8.9 Å. The channels are filled with strongly disordered water molecules, which are bound to the melem network through hydrogen bonds. Single‐crystals of melem hydrate C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ ? xH₂O (x≈2.3) were obtained by hydrothermal treatment of melem at 200 °C and the crystal structure (R $\bar 3$ c, a=2879.0(4), c=664.01(13) pm, V=4766.4(13)×10⁶ pm³, Z=18) was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. With respect to the structural similarity to the well‐known adduct between melamine and cyanuric acid, the composition of the obtained product was further analyzed by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Hydrolysis of melem to cyameluric acid during syntheses at elevated temperatures could thus be ruled out. DTA/TG studies revealed that, during heating of melem hydrate, water molecules can be removed from the channels of the structure to a large extent. The solvent‐free framework is stable up to 430 °C without transforming into the denser structure of anhydrous melem. Dehydrated melem hydrate was further characterized by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and sorption measurements to investigate structural changes induced by the removal of water from the channels. During dehydration, the hexagonal, layered arrangement of melem units is maintained whereas the formation of additional hydrogen bonds between melem entities requires the stacking mode of hexagonal layers to be altered. It is assumed that layers are shifted perpendicular to the direction of the channels, thereby making them inaccessible for guest molecules.     

Side‐chain functionalized polymers containing bipyridine coordination sites: Polymerization and metal‐coordination studies

Monomers containing (trisbipyridine) ruthenium(II), (bisbipyridine) palladium(II), and heteroleptic ruthenium complexes were synthesized and polymerized via ruthenium‐catalyzed ring‐opening metathesis polymerization in nonpolar solvents. The solubility of the resulting polyelectrolytes in nonpolar solutions could be tuned by alkyl functionalization of the ligands around the metal centers. These polymers are the first polynorbornenes containing a 2,2′‐bipyridine‐based metal complex at each repeating unit and might be used in numerous applications, including luminescent and electroluminescent materials. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2973–2984, 2004     

Two‐dimensional coordination polymeric structures in caesium complexes with ring‐substituted phenoxyacetic acids

The two‐dimensional polymeric structures of the caesium complexes with the phenoxyacetic acid analogues (4‐fluorophenoxy)acetic acid, (3‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy)acetic acid and the herbicidally active (2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4‐D), namely poly[[μ₅‐(4‐fluorophenoxy)acetato][μ₄‐(4‐fluorophenoxy)acetato]dicaesium], [Cs₂(C₈H₆FO₃)₂]_n, (I), poly[aqua[μ₅‐(3‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy)acetato]caesium], [Cs(C₉H₈ClO₃)(H₂O)]_n, (II), and poly[[μ₇‐(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetato][(2,4‐dichlorphenoxy)acetic acid]caesium], [Cs(C₈H₅Cl₂O₃)(C₈H₆Cl₂O₃)]_n, (III), are described. In (I), the Cs⁺ cations of the two individual irregular coordination polyhedra in the asymmetric unit (one CsO₇ and the other CsO₈) are linked by bridging carboxylate O‐atom donors from the two ligand molecules, both of which are involved in bidentate chelate O_carboxy,O_phenoxy interactions, while only one has a bidentate carboxylate O,O′‐chelate interaction. Polymeric extension is achieved through a number of carboxylate O‐atom bridges, with a minimum Cs...Cs separation of 4.3231 (9) Å, giving layers which lie parallel to (001). In hydrated complex (II), the irregular nine‐coordination about the Cs⁺ cation comprises a single monodentate water molecule, a bidentate O_carboxy,O_phenoxy chelate interaction and six bridging carboxylate O‐atom bonding interactions, giving a Cs...Cs separation of 4.2473 (3) Å. The water molecule forms intralayer hydrogen bonds within the two‐dimensional layers, which lie parallel to (100). In complex (III), the irregular centrosymmetric CsO₆Cl₂ coordination environment comprises two O‐atom donors and two ring‐substituted Cl‐atom donors from two hydrogen bis[(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetate] ligand species in a bidentate chelate mode, and four O‐atom donors from bridging carboxyl groups. The duplex ligand species lie across crystallographic inversion centres, linked through a short O—H...O hydrogen bond involving the single acid H atom. Structure extension gives layers which lie parallel to (001). The present set of structures of Cs salts of phenoxyacetic acids show previously demonstrated trends among the alkali metal salts of simple benzoic acids with no stereochemically favourable interactive substituent groups for formation of two‐dimensional coordination polymers.     

One‐ and two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymers constructed from 2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetate ligands

The one‐ and two‐dimensional polymorphic cadmium polycarboxylate coordination polymers, catena‐poly[bis[μ₂‐2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetato‐κ³N³:O,O′]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₁₀H₉N₂O₂)₂]_n, and poly[bis[μ₂‐2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetato‐κ³N³:O,O′]cadmium(II)], also [Cd(C₁₀H₉N₂O₂)₂]_n, were prepared under solvothermal conditions. In each structure, each Cd^II atom is coordinated by four O atoms and two N atoms from four different ligands. In the former structure, two crystallographically independent Cd^II atoms are located on twofold symmetry axes and doubly bridged in a μ₂‐N:O,O′‐mode by the ligands into correspondingly independent chains that run in the [100] and [010] directions. Chains containing crystallographically related Cd^II atoms are linked into sheets viaπ–π stacking interactions. Sheets containing one of the distinct types of Cd^II atom are stacked perpendicular to [001] and alternate with sheets containing the other type of Cd^II atom. The second complex is a two‐dimensional homometallic Cd^II (4,4) net structure in which each Cd^II atom is singly bridged to four neighbouring Cd^II atoms by four ligands also acting in a μ₂‐N:O,O′‐mode. A square‐grid network results and the three‐dimensional supramolecular framework is completed by π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic ring systems.     

Effect of pH on the construction of CdII coordination polymers involving the 1,1′‐[1,4‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5‐dicarboxylatopyridinium) ligand

Changing the pH value of a reaction system can result in polymers with very different compositions and architectures. Two new coordination polymers based on 1,1′‐[1,4‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5‐dicarboxylatopyridinium) (L^2?), namely catena‐poly[[[tetraaquacadmium(II)]‐μ₂‐1,1′‐[1,4‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5‐dicarboxylatopyridinium)] 1.66‐hydrate], {[Cd(C₂₂H₁₄N₂O₈)(H₂O)₄]·1.66H₂O}_n, (I), and poly[{μ₆‐1,1′‐[1,4‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5‐dicarboxylatopyridinium)}cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₂₂H₁₄N₂O₈)]_n, (II), have been prepared in the presence of NaOH or HNO₃ and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In polymer (I), each Cd^II ion is coordinated by two halves of independent L^2? ligands, forming a one‐dimensional chain structure. In the crystal, these chains are further connected through O—H…O hydrogen bonds, leading to a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network. In polymer (II), each hexadentate L^2? ligand coordinates to six Cd^II ions, resulting in a three‐dimensional network structure, in which all of the Cd^II ions and L^2? ligands are equivalent, respectively. The IR spectra, thermogravimetric analyses and fluorescence properties of both reported compounds were investigated.     

The double‐stranded ladder‐like structure of poly[[bis(μ2‐acetato‐κ2O:O′)bis(acetato‐κO)bis(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′)dicopper(II)] 4‐nitrophenol disolvate tetrahydrate]

The reaction of 4,4′‐bipyridine with copper acetate in the presence of 4‐nitrophenol led to the formation of the title compound, {[Cu(CH₃COO)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]·C₆H₅NO₃·2H₂O}_n. The complex forms a double‐stranded ladder‐like coordination polymer extending along the b axis. The double‐stranded polymers are separated by 4‐nitrophenol and water solvent molecules. The two Cu^II centres of the centrosymmetric Cu₂O₂ ladder rungs have square‐pyramidal coordination environments, which are formed by two acetate O atoms and two 4,4′‐bipyridine N atoms in the basal plane and another acetate O atom at the apex. The ladder‐like double strands are separated from each other by one unit‐cell length along the c axis, and are connected by the water and 4‐nitrophenol molecules through a series of O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions and two unique intermolecular π–π interactions.     

Supramolecular template‐directed synthesis of stable and high‐efficiency photoluminescence 9,10‐diphenylanthryl‐bridged ladder polysiloxane

A soluble well‐defined 9,10‐diphenylanthryl‐bridged ladder polysiloxane ( DPAnLP ) was prepared via supramolecular assembly‐directed condensation polymerization of silanols. The ladder superstructure ( LS ) was obtained via a synergistic interaction of H‐bonding and π–π stacking between polymerizable precursor 2‐tert‐butyl‐9,10‐bis(methyldihydroxylsilyl)anthracene in organic solvent. The resultant LS was then used as template to direct the condensation of silanol groups to obtain DPAnLP with high regularity. It was found that DPAnLP can emit blue light (430 nm) with great stability and high efficiency in both solution and solid film, which indicated a well organizing of fluorophore within confined environment (ladder structure). TGA and DSC measurements showed that DPAnLP had good thermal stability, and cyclic voltammetry detection gave a low‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital level. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2491–2497, 2010     

Control of porosity in hierarchically porous polymers derived from hyper‐crosslinked block polymer precursors

We report an approach to control the pore characteristics of hierarchically porous polymers (HPPs) containing micropores in a well‐defined 3D continuous mesoporous framework, by the hyper‐crosslinking reaction of a crosslinked block polymer precursor polylactide‐b‐poly(vinylbenzyl chloride‐co‐styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) (PLA‐b‐P(VBzCl‐co‐S‐co‐DVB)) consisting of bicontinuous PLA and P(VBzCl‐co‐S‐co‐DVB) microdomains. We investigated the hyper‐crosslinking reaction of P(VBzCl‐co‐S‐co‐DVB)s synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization, and then examined the effect of VBzCl, S, DVB, and polylactide macrochain transfer agent (PLA‐CTA) contents in the polymerization mixture on the pore characteristics of the HPPs. We demonstrate that while the VBzCl content responsible for the hyper‐crosslinking reaction primarily governs microporosity, the DVB content has a strong influence on the mesopore structure, as it determines the onset of the gelation of the polymerization mixture, which arrests the emerging disordered bicontinuous morphology induced by the polymerization‐induced microphase separation process. Because the PLA microdomains template the percolating mesoporous space, mesoporosity was mainly controlled by the PLA‐CTA contents. The synergistic combination of hyper‐crosslinking and block polymer self‐assembly in the HPP formation provided a highly reinforced mesoporous framework, stable against pore collapse, and interconnected mesopores. These facilitated diffusion to the microporous surfaces, suggesting its utility for advanced absorbents and catalytic supports. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 900–913     

Crystal‐Packing Trends for a Series of 6,9,12,15,18‐Pentaaryl‐1‐hydro[60]fullerenes

The relationship between the size of the substituents of aryl groups in a series of fifteen 6,9,12,15,18‐pentaaryl‐1‐hydro[60]fullerenes and the solid‐state structures and packing motifs of these compounds has been analyzed. Pentaarylfullerenes have a characteristic “badminton shuttlecock” shape that causes several derivatives to crystallize into columnar stacks. However, many pentaarylfullerenes form non‐stacked structures with, for example, dimeric, layered, diamondoid, or feather‐in‐cavity relationships between molecules. Computational modeling gave a qualitative estimate of the best shape match between the ball and socket surfaces of each pentaarylfullerene. The best match was for pentaarylfullerenes with large, spherically shaped para‐substituents on the aryl groups. The series of pentaarylfullerenes was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A total of 34 crystal structures were obtained as various solvates and were categorized by their packing motifs.     

Main‐chain,thermotropic, liquid‐crystalline,hydrogen‐bonded polymers of 4,4′‐bipyridyl with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids

A series of main‐chain, thermotropic, liquid‐crystalline (LC), hydrogen‐bonded polymers or self‐assembled structures based on 4,4′‐bipyridyl as a hydrogen‐bond acceptor and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, such as adipic and sebacic acids, as hydrogen‐bond donors were prepared by a slow evaporation technique from a pyridine solution and were characterized for their thermotropic, LC properties with a number of experimental techniques. The homopolymer of 4,4′‐bipyridyl with adipic acid exhibited high‐order and low‐order smectic phases, and that with sebacic acid exhibited only a high‐order smectic phase. Like the homopolymer with adipic acid, the two copolymers of 4,4′‐bipyridyl with adipic and sebacic acids (75/25 and 25/75) also exhibited two types of smectic phases. In contrast, the copolymer of 4,4′‐bipyridyl with adipic and sebacic acids (50/50), like the homopolymer with sebacic acid, exhibited only one high‐order smectic phase. Each of them, including the copolymers, had a broad temperature range of LC phases (36–51 °C). The effect of copolymerization for these hydrogen‐bonded polymers on the thermotropic properties was examined. Generally, copolymerization increased the temperature range of LC phases for these polymers, as expected, with a larger decrease in the crystal‐to‐LC transition than in the LC‐to‐isotropic transition. Additionally, it neither suppressed the formation of smectic phases nor promoted the formation of a nematic phase in these hydrogen‐bonded polymers, as usually observed in many thermotropic LC polymers. The thermal transitions for all of them, measured by differential scanning calorimetry, were well below their decomposition temperatures, as measured by thermogravimetric analysis, which were in the temperature range of 193–210 °C. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1282–1295, 2003