Self-assembly of three-dimensional M3L2 cages via a new flexible organometallic clip

The simple combination of tritopic pyridine donor linkers with a new flexible acceptor "clip" in a 2:3 stoichiometric ratio generates three-dimensional M3L2 cages which possess large cavities in essentially quantitative yields.     

Metal-directed formation of three-dimensional M(3)L(2) trigonal-bipyramidal cages

[reaction: see text] The simple combination of two angular tritopic pyridine donor linkers (109 degrees bond angle) with three ditopic platinum acceptors (90 degrees bond angle) leads to essentially quantitative formation of self-assembled M(3)L(2) trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP) supramolecular species.     

Self-recognition in the coordination-driven self-assembly of three-dimensional M3L2 polyhedra

[reaction: see text] Self-recognition in the coordination-driven self-assembly of three-dimensional (3-D) polyhedra is described. Multiple discrete 3-D polyhedra were formed in one vessel through the self-recognition of a mixture of subunits. The dynamic self-recognition process is determined by the information stored within the geometry and directionality of multiple rigid building blocks as well as the thermodynamic stability of the discrete products.     

Coordination-driven self-assembly of M3L2 trigonal cages from preorganized metalloligands incorporating octahedral metal centers and fluorescent detection of nitroaromatics

The design and preparation of novel M(3)L(2) trigonal cages via the coordination-driven self-assembly of preorganized metalloligands containing octahedral aluminum(III), gallium(III), or ruthenium(II) centers is described. When tritopic or dinuclear linear metalloligands and appropriate complementary subunits are employed, M(3)L(2) trigonal-bipyramidal and trigonal-prismatic cages are self-assembled under mild conditions. These three-dimensional cages were characterized with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ((1)H and (31)P) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The structure of one such trigonal-prismatic cage, self-assembled from an arene ruthenium metalloligand, was confirmed via single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The fluorescent nature of these prisms, due to the presence of their electron-rich ethynyl functionalities, prompted photophysical studies, which revealed that electron-deficient nitroaromatics are effective quenchers of the cages' emission. Excited-state charge transfer from the prisms to the nitroaromatic substrates can be used as the basis for the development of selective and discriminatory turn-off fluorescent sensors for nitroaromatics.     

M3L2 metallo-cryptophanes: [2]catenane and simple cages

Crystalline M(3)L(2) complexes with either single cage or triply interlocking [2]catenane chiral structures are formed the self-assembly of host-like ligands with transition metals.     

Ring-opening polymerisation of silver-diphosphine [M2L3] coordination cages to give [M2L3]infinity coordination polymers

[M2L3] coordination cages and linear [M2L3]infinity polymers of the rigid, bridging diphosphines bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene (dppa) and trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (dppet) with silver(I) salts have been investigated in the solution and solid states. Unlike flexible diphosphines, 1:1 dppa/AgX mixtures do not selectively form discrete [Ag2(diphos)2(X)2] macrocycles; instead dynamic mixtures of one-, two- and three-coordinate complexes are formed. However, 3:2 dppa/AgX ratios (X = SbF6. BF4, O3SCF3 or NO3) do lead selectively to new [M2L3] triply bridged cage complexes [Ag2(dppa)3(X)2] 1a-d (X = SbF6 a, BF4 b, O3SCF3 c, NO3 d), which do not exhibit Ag-P bond dissociation at room temperature on the NMR time scale (121 MHz). Complexes la-d were characterised by X-ray crystallography and were found to have small internal cavities, helical conformations and multiple intramolecular aromatic interactions. The nucleophilicity of the anion subtly influences the cage shape: Increasing nucleophilicity from SbF6 (1a) through BF4 (1b) and O3SCF3 (1c) to NO3 (1d) increases the pyramidal distortion at the AgP3 centres, stretching the cage framework (with Ag...Ag distances increasing from 5.48 in 1a to 6.21 A in 1d) and giving thinner internal cavities. Crystal packing strongly affected the size of the helical twist angle, and no correlation between this parameter and the Ag-Ag distance was observed. When crystalline 1c was stored in its supernatant for 16 weeks, conversion occured to the isostoichiometric [M2L3]infinity coordination polymer [Ag(dppa)2Ag(dppa)(O3SCF3)2]infinity (1c'). X-ray crystallography revealed a structure with ten-membered Ag2(dppa)2 rings linked into infinite one-dimensional chains by a third dppa unit. The clear structural relationship between this polymer and the precursor cage 1c suggests a novel example of ring-opening polymerisation. With dppet, evidence for discrete [M2L3] cages was also found in solution, although 31P NMR spectroscopy suggested some Ag-P bond dissociation. On crystallisation, only the corresponding ring-opened polymeric structures [M2L3]infinity could be obtained. This may be because the greater steric bulk of dppet versus dppa destabilises the cage and favours the ring-opening polymerisation.     

Metal-directed self-assembly of M3L2 (M=Zn,Cd) metal-organic architectures with a tripodal tris-bidentate chelator

Two discrete M₃L₂ metal-organic architectures, 1 and 2, have been constructed by reaction of a newly designed tripodal tris-bidentate ligand L with M(NO₃)₂ (1: M=Zn; 2: M=Cd). Both complexes together with L have been structurally elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 exhibits a cationic M₃L₂ coordination architecture bearing three positive charges balanced by three uncoordinated nitrates, while 2 shows a neutral M₃L₂. 1 and 2 both adopt a compressed trigonal prism shape but show no internal cavity due to close ligand-to-ligand interactions. They display totally different intermolecular packing modes in the solid state, which strongly influence the intermolecular π–π interactions. Complex 1 has been arrayed such that each M₃L₂ is surrounded by three neighboring C ₃-symmetry related ones, whereas 2 exhibits a columnar molecular stacking. The distinctive intermolecular packing modes in the solid state between 1 and 2 bring about a small but discernible red shift (4?nm) corresponding to the π–π ^? electronic absorption.     

Coordination-driven self-assembly of 2D-metallamacrocycles using a new carbazole-based dipyridyl donor: synthesis, characterization, and C60 binding study

A new carbazole-based 90° dipyridyl donor 3,6-di(4-pyridylethynyl)carbazole (L) containing carbazole-ethynyl functionality is synthesized in reasonable yield using the Sonagashira coupling reaction. Multinuclear NMR, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), including single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis characterized this 90° building unit. The stoichiometry combination of L with several Pd(II)/Pt(II)-based 90° acceptors (1a-1d) yielded [2 + 2] self-assembled metallacycles (2a-2d) under mild conditions in quantitative yields [1a = cis-(dppf)Pd(OTf)(2); 1b = cis-(dppf)Pt(OTf)(2); 1c = cis-(tmen)Pd(NO(3))(2); 1d = 3,6-bis{trans-Pt(C≡C)(PEt(3))(2)(NO(3))}carbazole]. All these macrocycles were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and the molecular structure of 2a was unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Incorporation of ethynyl functionality to the carbazole backbone causes the resulted macrocycles (2a-2d) to be π-electron rich and thereby exhibit strong emission characteristics. The macrocycle 2a has a large internal concave aromatic surface. The fluorescence quenching study suggests that 2a forms a ~1:1 complex with C(60) with a high association constant of K(sv) = 1.0 × 10(5) M(-1).     

Flexible bidentate pyridine and chiral ligands in the self-assembly of supramolecular 3-D cages

Discrete, nanoscopic 3-D cages are prepared in high yield via coordination-driven self-assembly from a variety of building blocks, including bidentate 3-substituted pyridines, chiral, and silicon-based tripods. All are characterized by NMR ((31)P, (1)H) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Controlled synthesis and self-assembly of CeO2 nanocubes

CeO2 nanocubes (and nanorods) enclosed by six {200} planes with controlled sizes have been prepared through a facile one-pot method. The nanocubes have a strong tendency to assemble into 2D and 3D arrays with regular patterns on a substrate, which is probably driven by the dipole-dipole interaction of polar {200} planes. The possible formation mechanism of the nanocubes has been put forward as the oriented aggregation mediated precursor growth. It is possible to use the synthesized nanocubes as building blocks to achieve {200}-perfect-oriented monolayers or thickness-controlled films and to apply the preparative method in the incorporation of heterogeneous atoms or nanoparticles for semiconductor doping or heterogeneous nanostructures.     

The structure and stability of Si60 and Ge60 cages: a computational study

Structural studies of fullerene-like Si(60) and Ge(60) cages using ab initio methods were augmented by density functional tight-binding molecular dynamics (DFTB-MD) simulations of finite temperature effects. Neither the perfect I(h) symmetry nor the distorted T(h) structures are true minima. The energies of both are high relative to distorted, lower symmetry minima, C(i) and T, respectively, which still preserve C(60)-type connectivity. Both Si(60) and Ge(60) favor C(i) symmetry cages in which Si and Ge vertexes exhibit either near-trigonal or pyramidal geometries. These structural variations imply significant reactivity differences between different positions. The small magnetic shielding effects (NICS) indicate that aromaticity is not important in these systems. The inorganic fullerene cages have lower stabilities compared with their carbon analogs. Si(60) is stable towards spontaneous disintegration up to 700 K according to DFTB-MD simulations, and thus has potential for experimental observation. In contrast, Ge(60) preserves its cage structure only up to 200 K.     

Design, synthesis and characterization of self-assembled As2L3 and Sb2L3 cryptands

The syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of six new self-assembled supramolecular As and Sb-containing cryptands are described. Analysis in the context of previously reported As(2)L(3) and Sb(2)L(3) cryptands reveals that small differences in ligand geometries result in significant differences in the helicity of the complexes and the stereochemistry of the metal coordination within the assembled complexes. Additionally, a new synthetic route is described which involves exposure of reactants to vacuum to help facilitate self-assembly.     

Ionothermal synthesis of metal oxalatophosphonates with a three-dimensional framework structure: Na2M3(C2O4)3(CH3PO3H)2 (M = FeII and MnII)

Two isostructural transition-metal oxalatophosphonates, Na2M3(C2O4)3(CH3PO3H)2 (M = Fe(II) and Mn(II)), have been synthesized by using a low-melting-point eutectic mixture of choline chloride and malonic acid as a solvent and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and 57Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The 3D framework structure consists of a corner-sharing octahedral trimer that is linked with other trimers through two distinct oxalate ligands with unusual linkage types, phosphonate tetrahedra, and H bonds to form infinite channels along the [101] direction where the Na+ cations are located. They are the first examples for the use of an ionic liquid as a solvent in the synthesis of metal oxalatophosphonates. Crystal data for the Fe compound follow: monoclinic, P2(1)/n (No. 14), a = 5.8063(1) A, b = 10.3867(3) A, c = 14.8094(4) A, beta = 96.926(1) degrees , and Z = 2. Crystal data for the Mn compound are the same as those for the Fe compound except a = 5.8734(9) A, b = 10.557(2) A, c = 14.863(2) A, and beta = 96.691(2) degrees .     

Colloidal synthesis and self-assembly of CoPt(3) nanocrystals

Reduction of platinum acetylacetonate and thermodecomposition of cobalt carbonyl in the presence of 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid were employed in different coordinating mixtures to produce monodisperse, highly crystalline CoPt(3) nanoparticles. The mean particle size can be varied from 1.5 to 7.2 nm by controlling the reaction conditions and the type of coordinating mixture. As-synthesized CoPt(3) particles represent single crystal domains and have chemically disordered face-centered cubic (fcc) structure. Nearly spherical CoPt(3) nanocrystals were found to assemble into two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structures. An AB(5) type superlattice is observed by TEM after mixing two nanoparticle samples with different mean sizes. Slow precipitation led to the formation of facetted colloidal crystals with sizes up to 20 microm.     

A new synthesis of 3-amino-2-alkenoates

Magnesium enolates of t-butyl (or ethyl) acetate and t-butyl propionate are found to react with nitriles to give 3-amino-2-alkenoates having Z configuration.     

M(N3)2(L)]n: building 3-D MII-azido networks with new topologies

Novel 3D topologies combining diazine and azido bridges between MnII magnetic centres have been obtained and characterised by low-temperature magnetic measurements.     

若干新型有机光电功能材料的分子设计、合成与性能 研究

介绍本研究组得到国家自然科学基金资助的四个方面工作的进展。研究了金属有机化合物的结构与非线性光学性质的关系,总结了从分子几何构型着手,根据不同用途,对金属有机非线性光学材料进行分子设计的经验规律;提出了利用“组合式共轭桥”进行有机非线性光学发色团分子设计的新思路,所合成的几个有机化合物既有很大的光学非线性,又有紫移的最大吸收峰;通过化学键将有机发色团分子张到各种高分子的侧链上,合成和表征了潜在的电光高分子和光折变高分子材料;采用无机-有机夹层复合的思路对兼有导电性和强磁性的分子材料进行了探索,将一些有机小分子和导电高分子分别插入了层状无机物MPS3的层间,得到了8个新的分子磁体,而另一夹层化合物则表现了较高的电导率。     

The 2 x 3 toolbox of organometallic methods for regiochemically exhaustive functionalization

This review describes a concept aimed at rational and maximal structure proliferation. To this end, simple aromatic or heterocyclic starting materials, often bulk chemicals, are converted into all regionisomerically possible polar organometallic intermediates (mostly lithiated species), which then may be combined with any of the countless electrophiles to provide attractive new building blocks, particularly functionalized derivatives. The practical implementation relies on a set ("toolbox") of sophisticated recipes developed by mechanistically guided modification of the two most prominent exchange methods used for the generation of polar organometallic compounds: hydrogen-metal and halogen-metal interconversion. These mutant methods ("old methods in a new outfit") amplify the existing options for organic synthesis by ensuring maximum regioflexibility. At the same time they offer new insight into factors that govern organometallic reactivity and provide hints on how to alter or finetune this reactivity judiciously.