Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers assembled via hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid-containing polysiloxane and azobenzene derivatives

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers were prepared from poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane) (PSI100) and azobenzene derivatives through intermolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) between the carboxylic acid groups in the PSI100 and the imidazole rings in the azobenzene derivatives. The existence of H-bonding has been confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. The polymeric complexes behave as liquid crystalline (LC) polymers and exhibit stable mesophases. The LC behaviour of these H-bonded polymeric complexes was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complexes exhibit nematic LC phases identified on the basis of Schlieren optical textures. On increasing spacer length or the concentration of the H-bonded mesogenic unit in the complex, the clearing temperature and the temperature range of the LC phase of the polymeric complex increase. The terminal group plays a critical role in determining the LC properties of the polymeric complexes. A terminal methoxy group is more efficient than a nitro group in increasing the clearing temperature. The electron donor-acceptor interactions between the H-bonded mesogenic units containing methoxy and nitro terminal groups in supramolecular 'copolymeric' complexes lead to an increase in the clearing temperature and a wider temperature range for the LC phase.     

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers assembled via hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid-containing polysiloxane and azobenzene derivatives

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers were prepared from poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane) (PSI100) and azobenzene derivatives through intermolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) between the carboxylic acid groups in the PSI100 and the imidazole rings in the azobenzene derivatives. The existence of H-bonding has been confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. The polymeric complexes behave as liquid crystalline (LC) polymers and exhibit stable mesophases. The LC behaviour of these H-bonded polymeric complexes was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complexes exhibit nematic LC phases identified on the basis of Schlieren optical textures. On increasing spacer length or the concentration of the H-bonded mesogenic unit in the complex, the clearing temperature and the temperature range of the LC phase of the polymeric complex increase. The terminal group plays a critical role in determining the LC properties of the polymeric complexes. A terminal methoxy group is more efficient than a nitro group in increasing the clearing temperature. The electron donor-acceptor interactions between the H-bonded mesogenic units containing methoxy and nitro terminal groups in supramolecular 'copolymeric' complexes lead to an increase in the clearing temperature and a wider temperature range for the LC phase.     

Light-fueled dissipative self-assembly at molecular and macro-scale enabled by a visible-light-responsive transient hetero-complementary quadruple hydrogen bond

The development of out-of-equilibrium self-assembly systems using light as input fuel is highly desirable and promising for the fabrication of smart supramolecular materials. Herein, we report the construction of new artificial light-fueled dissipative molecular and macroscopic self-assembly systems based on a visible-light-responsive transient quadruple H-bonding array, which consists of an azobenzene-modified ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) module (Azo-O-UPy) and a nonphotoactive diamidonaphthyridine (DAN) derived competitive binder (Napy-1). The visible light (410 nm) irradiation can induce the E to Z isomerization of the azobenzene unit of E-Azo-O-UPy to produce Z-Azo-O-UPy with an opened UPy binding site, which can complex with Napy-1 to form a quadruply H-bonded heterodimer. The heterodimer is metastable and can be quickly disassembled in dark, owing to the fast thermal relaxation of Z-Azo-O-UPy to E-Azo-O-UPy. While introducing such transient quadruple H-bonding interaction into a linear polymer system or a polymeric gel system, light-fueled out-of-equilibrium polymeric assembly both at molecular and macro-scale can be achieved.     

Single crystal XRD study of 4,4′-dipyridyl — <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-ethoxybenzoic acid and N,N′-dipyridylpiperazine — <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-ethoxybenzoic acid co-crystals: Direct evidence of H-bond interaction in the corresponding liquid-crystalline mesogenic phases

Supramolecular H-bonded complexes formed between p-ethoxybenzoic acid and 4,4′-dipyridyl or N,N′-dipyridylpiperazine were obtained as nematic liquid-crystalline phases. The corresponding crystals suitable for single crystal X-ray analysis were isolated and investigated. The stoichiomtery of complex 1 is (4,4′-dipyridyl)-2(p-ethoxybenzoic acid) and that of complex 2 is (N,N′-dipyridylpiperazine)-2(p-ethoxybenzoic acid). The molecular packing observed in the crystal structures investigated indicates that the mesogenic phases of the complexes are induced by H-bond interactions.     

Hydrogen bonding and the self-assembly of supramolecular liquid-crystalline materials

Novel supramolecular liquid-crystalline materials have been obtained by the hydrogen bond formation between different and independent molecules. The self-assembly of carboxylic acid and pyridine moieties that function as H-bond donors and acceptors, respectively, results in the formation of mesogenic complex structures. A wide variety of liquid-crystalline low molecular weight complexes have been prepared using this approach. This concept has been extended to the polymeric systems. Hydrogen-bonded liquid-crystalline polymers that exhibit mesophases over wide temperature ranges, ferroelectricity or photo-responsibility have been prepared by the molecular association. Moreover, liquid-crystalline polymer networks that show reversible smectic-isotropic phase transitions have been formed by the hydrogen bonds. The dynamics of the hydrogen bonding may contribute to the induction of the mesomorphism of the networks.     

Preparation of new supramolecular liquid-crystalline polyesters containing 3-chloro-4-(alkoxy)benzoic acids

Supramolecular liquid-crystalline polyester complexes based on intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic group and the pyridyl moieties was prepared by using non-liquid-crystalline H-donors, [3-chloro-4-(butyloxy)benzoic acid (2a), 3-chloro-4-(octyloxy)benzoic acid (2b), 3-chloro-4-(dodecyloxy)benzoic acid (2c) and 3-chloro-4-(tetradecyloxy)benzoic acid (2d)] and H-acceptor-polyester containing pyridyl units. Intermolecular hydrogen bond formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The liquid-crystalline behavior of the complex formed was established by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The polyester complexes containing 2c and 2d donor components exhibit liquid crystalline mesophase and behave as side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers. Compared with unsubstituted parent acid, the presence of chloro group as a lateral substituent has a little negative effect on the induction of liquid crystallinity on the polyester complexes systems. The results show that the more stability of the obtained H-bonded complexes in comparison with analogues without 3-Cl substituents is due to the increased acidity of benzoic acid moiety.     

Towards photoswitchable quadruple hydrogen bonds via a reversible “photolocking” strategy for photocontrolled self-assembly

Developing new photoswitchable noncovalent interaction motifs with controllable bonding affinity is crucial for the construction of photoresponsive supramolecular systems and materials. Here we describe a unique “photolocking” strategy for realizing photoswitchable control of quadruple hydrogen-bonding interactions on the basis of modifying the ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) module with an ortho-ester substituted azobenzene unit as the “photo-lock”. Upon light irradiation, the obtained Azo-UPy motif is capable of unlocking/locking the partial H-bonding sites of the UPy unit, leading to photoswitching between homo- and heteroquadruple hydrogen-bonded dimers, which has been further applied for the fabrication of novel tunable hydrogen bonded supramolecular systems. This “photolocking” strategy appears to be broadly applicable in the rational design and construction of other H-bonding motifs with sufficiently photoswitchable noncovalent interactions.

A photolocking strategy is described to achieve the construction of effectively photoswitchable quadruple hydrogen bonds featuring with photoregulable H-bonding affinities, which is further applied in the photocontrollable H-bonded self-assemblies.     

Self-healing and shape memory functions exhibited by supramolecular liquid-crystalline networks formed by combination of hydrogen bonding interactions and coordination bonding

We here report a new approach to develop self-healing shape memory supramolecular liquid-crystalline (LC) networks through self-assembly of molecular building blocks via combination of hydrogen bonding and coordination bonding. We have designed and synthesized supramolecular LC polymers and networks based on the complexation of a forklike mesogenic ligand with Ag⁺ ions and carboxylic acids. Unidirectionally aligned fibers and free-standing films forming layered LC nanostructures have been obtained for the supramolecular LC networks. We have found that hybrid supramolecular LC networks formed through metal–ligand interactions and hydrogen bonding exhibit both self-healing properties and shape memory functions, while hydrogen-bonded LC networks only show self-healing properties. The combination of hydrogen bonds and metal–ligand interactions allows the tuning of intermolecular interactions and self-assembled structures, leading to the formation of the dynamic supramolecular LC materials. The new material design presented here has potential for the development of smart LC materials and functional LC membranes with tunable responsiveness.

New supramolecular hybrid liquid-crystalline networks exhibiting self-healing and shape memory properties are developed by self-assembly of small components through hydrogen bonding interactions and coordination bonding.     

Scope and limitations of the SCS-MP2 method for stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions

Fluorobenzenes are pi-acceptor synthons that form pi-stacked structures in molecular crystals as well as in artificial DNAs. We investigate the competition between hydrogen bonding and pi-stacking in dimers consisting of the nucleobase mimic 2-pyridone (2PY) and all fluorobenzenes from 1-fluorobenzene to hexafluorobenzene (n-FB, with n = 1-6). We contrast the results of high level ab initio calculations with those obtained using ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) laser spectroscopy of isolated and supersonically cooled dimers. The 2PY.n-FB complexes with n = 1-5 prefer double hydrogen bonding over pi-stacking, as diagnosed from the UV absorption and IR laser depletion spectra, which both show features characteristic of doubly H-bonded complexes. The 2-pyridone.hexafluorobenzene dimer is the only pi-stacked dimer, exhibiting a homogeneously broadened UV spectrum and no IR bands characteristic for H-bonded species. MP2 (second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory) calculations overestimate the pi-stacked dimer binding energies by about 10 kJ/mol and disagree with the experimental observations. In contrast, the MP2 treatment of the H-bonded dimers appears to be quite accurate. Grimme's spin-component-scaled MP2 approach (SCS-MP2) is an improvement over MP2 for the pi-stacked dimers, reducing the binding energy by approximately 10 kJ/mol. When applied to explicitly correlated MP2 theory (SCS-MP2-R12 approach), agreement with the corresponding coupled-cluster binding energies [at the CCSD(T) level] is very good for the pi-stacked dimers, within +/- 1 kJ/mol for the 2PY complexes with 1-fluorobenzene, 1,2-difluorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene, pentafluorobenzene and hexafluorobenzene. Unfortunately, the SCS-MP2 approach also reduces the binding energy of the H-bonded species, leading to disagreement with both coupled-cluster theory and experiment. The SCS-MP2-R12 binding energies follow the SCS-MP2 binding energies closely, being about 0.5 and 0.7 kJ/mol larger for the H-bonded and pi-stacked forms, respectively, in an augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta basis. It seems that the SCS-MP2 and SCS-MP2-R12 methods cannot provide sufficient accuracy to replace the CCSD(T) method for intermolecular interactions where H-bonding and pi-stacking are competitive.     

Alkali metal mediated resorcarene capsules: an ESI-FTICRMS study on gas-phase structure and cation binding of tetraethyl resorcarene and its per-methylated derivative

Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICRMS) with additional ab initio calculations were used to examine the alkali metal cation binding selectivity (i.e., molecular recognition) and host properties of tetraethyl resorcarene (1) and its per-methylated derivative (2). The significance of intramolecular hydrogen bonding for the crown conformation was demonstrated. The presence of intramolecular flip-flop hydrogen bonding in 1 was confirmed both with calculations and in ND3-exchange experiments. All the alkali metal cations formed host-guest complexes by docking inside the cavity of the host. Complexation with the larger cations, especially Cs+, was favored. All the alkali metal cations also formed dimeric resorcarene capsules with 1. The capsules were directly H-bonded species, with no linking solvent molecules. ND3-exchange experiments and molecular modeling revealed the significance of direct intermolecular H-bonding for the crown conformation of 1 and stability of the capsule structure.     

Columnar Phases from Covalent and Hydrogen-Bonded Liquid-Crystalline Ferrocene Derivatives

The synthesis and liquid-crystalline properties of tetracatenar covalent and H-bonded bis-ferrocene derivatives 1 and 2 , respectively, are reported. Both compounds gave rise to enantiotropic columnar liquid-crystalline behavior with a hexagonal molecular organization. To explore the possibility to obtain also calamitic liquid-crystalline phases from H-bonded ferrocene-containing liquid crystals, a rod-shaped ferrocene mesogen 3 was synthesized, which gave rise to enantiotropic smectic C and smectic A phases. For the first time, a rational synthetic design at the ferrocene level led to ferrocene-based liquid-crystals with columnar behavior and to H-bonded metallomesogens.     

Metal α, ω dicarboxylate complexes. 4. Effect of N-donor substitutions on the polymeric network in cobalt(II) hexanedioate complexes: synthesis and single crystal X-ray investigations

Three cobalt (II)hexanedioate complexes [Co(H₂O)₄(H₂L)]n 1 (H₂L=hexanedioic acid), Co(imidazole)₄ (H₂L)]n 2 and [Co(pyridine)₂ (H₂O)₄][H₂L] 3 are synthesized and structurally characterized to study the effect of N-donor substituents coordinated to the metal center on the polymeric network. Complex 1 is an extended linear polymer; Co(H₂O)₄ units are linked by the monodendate carboxylate from either end of the extended deprotonated hexanedioic acid. There are intra- and interchain H-bonding interactions between the coordinated water molecules and the end carboxylate O atoms, the uncoordinated O atom creates two dimensional hydrogen bonding pattern. Complex 2 also is a linear polymer; Co(imidazole)₄ units are linked by monodentate dibasic acid at the either end but with S shaped conformation of the hexanedioic acid, not as fully extended as in 1. The effect of bulkier N-donor substitution is seen in the distortion of the octahedral coordination polyhedron of Co(II). The noncordinated carboxylate oxygen makes one intra and one interchain H-bonding interaction with the imidazole N–H group making a two-dimensional H-bonded network as in 1. In 3 with the two strong N-donor pyridines coordinated to the metal center, the hexanedioate is out of the coordination sphere and acts as a counter ion. The Co(pyridine)₂(H₂O)₄ units are linked by H-bonding in both the dimensions by extensively folded adipate dianion forming a sheet structure parallel to ab plane. According to our knowledge this is the first example showing a strong H-bonding network in which a tetraaquaCo(II) center forms an eight-membered ring with bidendate H-bonding interactions. None of the coordination polymeric structures form any channels in their molecular packing, even to include a small entity as a water molecule.     

Ab initio quantum chemical studies of the electronic properties of the hydrogen bonded N2HF,N2HCl, (HCN)2 and NH3HCN complexes

The results of ab initio self-consistent field (SCF) and configuration interaction (CI) calculations on the hydrogen bonded N₂HF, N₂HCl, (HCN)₂ and NH₃HCN complexes, using basis sets that range from double-zeta plus polarization to triple-zeta plus double polarization, are reported. The primary objective of this work has been to calculate the changes in the dipole moments and the electric field gradients (EFGs) at the quadrupolar ¹⁴N, ²H and ³⁵Cl nuclei that are induced by H-bonding. Since the interpretation of the H-bond induced shifts requires a knowledge of the molecular dynamics in weakly H-bonded molecular complexes such as those studied in the present work, we have taken into account the effects of vibrational averaging on both the EFGs and dipole moments utilizing harmonic intermolecular force fields that were generated using ab initio SCF methods. The results of these calculations are compared with the corresponding experimental quantities that are obtained from the microwave spectra of these complexes.     

Effects of the H-bond donor structure on the properties of supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane)s and stilbazoles

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers (SCLCPs) based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane) (PSIX, X=100, 76, 60, 41 or 23, denoting the mole percentage of 3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane unit in the polymer) and stilbazole derivatives have been obtained through intermolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions between the carboxylic acid and the pyridyl moieties. The formation of H-bonding and self-assembly results in the formation of new mesogenic units, in which H-bonds function as molecular connectors. FTIR shows the existence of H-bonding in the complexes. The polymeric complexes behave as single component liquid crystalline polymers and exhibit stable and enantiotropic mesophases. The liquid crystalline properties of the supramolecular SCLCPs were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and were found to exhibit smectic A phases with focal-conic textures. The thermal stability of the SCLCP increases on increasing the carboxylic acid content in the polysiloxane and the concentration of the stilbazole derivative in the complex. However, the thermal stability decreases on increasing the chain length of the stilbazole derivative. The crystal phase was not formed even on cooling to the glass transition temperature of the polymeric complex.     

Tuning organogels and mesophases with phenanthroline ligands and their copper complexes by inter- to intramolecular hydrogen bonds

A novel family of highly functionalized molecules consisting of a central 4-methyl-3,5-diacylaminobenzene platform linked in close proximity to the methyl group by two lateral aromatic rings each equipped with two long alkoxy chains has been rationally designed. The presence of amide tethers and a chelating phenanthroline fragment connected via an ester dipole formed a new class of gelating reagents and mesomorphic materials. A few of these compounds have the tendency to form macromolecule-like aggregates through noncovalent interactions in hydrocarbon solvents and were found to exhibit thermotropic cubic mesophases. In light of the X-ray molecular structure of the methoxy ligand, an infinite network maintained by intermolecular hydrogen bonds as well as by pi-pi stacking of the phenyl subunits was evidenced. FT-IR studies confirm that the common driving force for aggregation in the organogels and microsegregation in the mesophase is the occurrence of a tight intermolecular H-bonded network that does not persist in diluted solution. This situation is switched when the ligands are interlocked by a copper(I) cation. A strong intramolecular H-bond confirmed by X-ray diffraction of a single crystal for the methoxy case provides very stable complexes but inhibits the gelation of the solvents. Heating the complexes bearing long paraffin chains (n = 12 and 16) in the dried state leads to a self-organization into a columnar liquid-crystalline phase in which the columns are arranged along a 2D oblique symmetry as deduced from powder XRD experiments. In this case, the complexes with the appended counteranions self-assemble in a specific way to form columns. A striking observation is that the intramolecular hydrogen bond persists in the mesophase as it does in solution without any evidence of an extended network. As far as we are aware, these ligands and complexes are rare examples in which organogelation and thermotropic mesomorphic behavior could be observed in parallel with molecules bearing a chelating platform. Due to the synthetic availability of the 4-methyl-3,5-diacylaminobenzene core and the simplicity by which the chelating platforms can be graphed, this methodology represents a practical alternative to the production of functionalized organogelators and mesomorphic materials.     

Interactions modes and physical properties in transition metal chalcogenolene-based molecular materials

Molecule-based materials are extremely versatile materials as they can be built from specifically designed building blocks with the desired size, shape, charge and electronic properties which determine their intermolecular interactions and, thus, their organization in the solid. The intermolecular interactions, therefore, in particular van der Waals interactions, π–π and π–d interactions, H-bonding, etc., play a crucial role in self-assembling these pre-designed molecular units and may provide a powerful way to afford layered mono- and multifunctional molecular materials with new or unknown physical properties. In this review the relationship between interaction modes and physical properties of organic/inorganic hybrids based on transition metal complexes with chalcogenolene ligands will be examined and an outlook will be proposed. With this goal, magnetic materials, highly conducting and metallic single-component materials containing dithiolene complex building blocks, multifunctional materials where the dithiolene complex is the magnetic or conducting component in addition to more complex systems involving other types of building block such as the metal oxalate complexes, will be discussed.     

Recognition-directed supramolecular assemblies of metal complexes of terpyridine derived ligands with self-complementary hydrogen bonding sites

The synthesis and X-ray structures of three metal complexes with terpyridine-derived ligands that contain amino-pyrimidine and amino-pyrazine moieties are presented. They have been designed in view of directing their self-assembly into specific supramolecular arrays through molecular recognition interactions. The solid-state structures indeed reveal extensive hydrogen-bonded networks. The Co complex 4a with PF6- counterions builds a two-dimensional infinite interwoven grid through strong double hydrogen bonds (d(N-H-N) =2.918-3.018 A) between the amino groups and the N atoms of the rings, with all H-bonding sites saturated. Changing the anions to BF4- in 4b leads to a similar infinite but partially broken grid with a quarter of the H-bonding sites unsaturated (d(N-H-N)=2.984-3.206 A). In the case of the Zn complex 12 with triflate anions, half of the hydrogen bonds are formed. Only one of the two orthogonal ligands has hydrogen bonds (d(N-H-N) = 3.082, 3.096 A) to the neighbouring complexes and thus builds linear, supramolecular, polymeric chains. These structural differences are mainly attributed to crystal-packing effects caused by the different anions. The data presented here may also be regarded as a prototype for the generation of organised arrays through sequential self-assembly processes.     

Can the conformational flexibility of cis-decalins be modulated through intramolecular O-H?O hydrogen bonding? Profiling the molecular and supramolecular attributes of designer cis-fused polycyclitols

In order to unravel the modalities of hydrogen bonding in conformationally flexible polycyclitols vis-à-vis their conformationally locked siblings, three diastereomeric perhydro-2,3,4a,6,7,8a-naphthalenehexols, all embodying a 4a,8a-dihydroxy-cis-decalin framework, have been synthesized via sequential stereo-controlled oxyfunctionalization of 1,4,5,8-tetrahydronaphthalene. Variable temperature NMR studies on the cis-fused polycyclitols thus obtained suggest that their inherent conformational flexibility in solution is restrained at ambient temperature owing either to the formation of a stable H-bonded molecular solvate or to the presence of strong intramolecular O-H?O H-bonding. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on the three hexols reveal an interesting commonality in their gross molecular packing and a ubiquitous presence of the R²₂(10) dimer motif—a supramolecular synthon rarely encountered in the crystal structures of conformationally locked and axially-rich hexols.     

Effects of the H-bond donor structure on the properties of supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane)s and stilbazoles

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers (SCLCPs) based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane) (PSIX, X=100, 76, 60, 41 or 23, denoting the mole percentage of 3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane unit in the polymer) and stilbazole derivatives have been obtained through intermolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions between the carboxylic acid and the pyridyl moieties. The formation of H-bonding and self-assembly results in the formation of new mesogenic units, in which H-bonds function as molecular connectors. FTIR shows the existence of H-bonding in the complexes. The polymeric complexes behave as single component liquid crystalline polymers and exhibit stable and enantiotropic mesophases. The liquid crystalline properties of the supramolecular SCLCPs were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and were found to exhibit smectic A phases with focal-conic textures. The thermal stability of the SCLCP increases on increasing the carboxylic acid content in the polysiloxane and the concentration of the stilbazole derivative in the complex. However, the thermal stability decreases on increasing the chain length of the stilbazole derivative. The crystal phase was not formed even on cooling to the glass transition temperature of the polymeric complex.     

Computational study of the thermodynamic stabilities of hydrogen-bonded complexes in solution

Understanding of the multiple H-bonding arrays of heterocyclic compounds is essential to design effective building blocks of supramolecular polymers. We have carried out a comprehensive computational study on the thermodynamic stabilities of thirty-six H-bonded complexes with all possible H-bonding arrays in the gas phase and chloroform solvent by using M06-2X, SMD calculations and cc-pVDZ basis set. The multiple H-bonding arrays include donor acceptor–acceptor donor (DA–AD), DD–AA for the doubly H-bonded pairs, and DAD–ADA, DDA–AAD and DDD–AAA for the triply H-bonded pairs. The computational results have provided insights into the geometrical, energetic and solvation effects on the stabilities of these H-bonded complexes. The calculated free energies of association for the DD–AA (8–9) and the DDD–AAA (33–35, 36–35) H-bonded complexes are found to be inconsistent with the experimental measurements and observations that these complexes are the most strongly doubly and triply H-bonded pairs in solution, respectively, while the calculated binding free energies for all other H-bonding arrays are in good agreement with experimental values. The computational protocol can be used by practical chemists and undergraduate researchers as an efficient and state-of-the-art tool to study H-bonding interactions in supramolecular chemistry.