Supramolecular Interaction of Fullerenes with a Curved π‐Surface of a Monomeric Quadruply Ring‐Fused Porphyrin

Molecular binding of fullerenes, C₆₀ and C₇₀, with the Zn^II complex of a monomeric ring‐fused porphyrin derivative ( 2 ‐py) as a host molecule, which has a concave π‐conjugated surface, has been confirmed spectroscopically. The structures of associated complexes composed of fullerenes and 2 ‐py were explicitly established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The fullerenes in the 2:1 complexes, which consist of two 2 ‐py molecules and one fullerene molecule, are fully covered by the concave surfaces of the two 2 ‐py molecules in the crystal structure. In contrast, in the crystal structure of the 1:1 complex consisting of one 2 ‐py molecule and one C₆₀ molecule, the C₆₀ molecule formed a π–π stacked pair with a C₆₀ molecule in the neighboring complex using a partial surface, which was uncovered by the 2 ‐py molecule. Additionally, the molecular size of fullerene adopted significantly affects the ¹H NMR spectral changes and the redox properties of 2 ‐py upon the molecular binding.     

Solvent‐assisted planar structure of a stilbene‐based salicylhydrazone compound: crystal structure,solvent‐ and aggregation‐induced emission,and switchable luminescence colouration

A novel stilbene‐based salicylhydrazone compound {systematic name: (E)‐4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)bis[(N′E)‐N′‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide] dimethyl sulfoxide disolvate, C₃₀H₂₄N₄O₄·2C₂H₆OS or L·2DMSO} was synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with half a symmetry‐independent L molecule and one dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The L molecule adopts an almost planar structure, with a small dihedral angle between the planes of the stilbene and salicylhydrazone groups. There are multiple π–π stacking interactions between adjacent L molecules. The DMSO solvent molecules act as proton donors and acceptors, forming hydrogen bonds of various strengths with the L molecules. In addition, the geometry optimization of a single molecule of L and its luminescence properties either in solution, as a solvated solid or as a desolvated solid were studied. The compound shows an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect and exhibits switchable luminescence colouration in the solid state by the simple removal or re‐addition of the DMSO solvent.     

Octasubstituted biphenylenes: is there a favoured conformation?

Octakis(pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl)biphenylene ethanol solvate, C₄₄H₄₀N₁₆·C₂H₆O, has two independent centrosymmetric molecules, one of which is hydrogen bonded to the solvent molecule. One molecule adopts an arrangement with three arms up and one down in each benzene ring, whilst the other molecule has a conformation with two adjacent arms on the same side of the ring. In neither case is the expected fully alternating form observed.     

Allosteric Recognition of Homomeric and Heteromeric Pairs of Monosaccharides by a Foldamer Capsule

The recognition of either homomeric or heteromeric pairs of pentoses in an aromatic oligoamide double helical foldamer capsule was evidenced by circular dichroism (CD), NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. The cavity of the host was predicted to be large enough to accommodate simultaneously two xylose molecules and to form a 1:2 complex (one container, two saccharides). Solution and solid‐state data revealed the selective recognition of the α‐⁴C₁‐d ‐xylopyranose tautomer, which is bound at two identical sites in the foldamer cavity. A step further was achieved by sequestering a heteromeric pair of pentoses, that is, one molecule of α‐⁴C₁‐d ‐xylopyranose and one molecule of β‐¹C₄‐d ‐arabinopyranose despite the symmetrical nature of the host and despite the similarity of the guests. Subtle induced‐fit and allosteric effects are responsible for the outstanding selectivities observed.     

A binuclear zinc polymer with paddlewheel building units and intersecting helical chains based on a flexible 4‐[(carboxymethyl)sulfanyl]benzoic acid ligand

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, poly[{μ₄‐4‐[(carboxylatomethyl)sulfanyl]benzoato}(N,N‐dimethylformamide)zinc], [Zn(C₉H₆O₄S)(C₃H₇NO)]_n, consists of one crystallographically independent Zn^II cation, one 4‐[(carboxylatomethyl)sulfanyl]benzoate (L²⁻) ligand and one coordinated dimethylformamide (DMF) molecule. The zinc ion is coordinated by five O atoms from four separate L²⁻ ligands and one DMF molecule, and the ZnO₅ unit displays a distorted square‐based‐pyramidal geometry. Two ZnO₅ units form a binuclear zinc–tetracarboxylate paddlewheel cluster, and these are bridged by L²⁻ ligands to generate an intersecting helical chain (Zn²⁺ ions as nodes), which is composed of right‐handed (P) and left‐handed (M) helices. Weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds extend the one‐dimensional coordinated chain into a weakly bound three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

1‐Carboxymethyl‐3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium chloride 2‐(3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)acetate monohydrate: a crystal stabilized by imidazolium zwitterions

The title compound, C₆H₉N₂O₂⁺·Cl⁻·C₆H₈N₂O₂·H₂O, contains one 2‐(3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)acetate inner salt molecule, one 1‐carboxymethyl‐3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium cation, one chloride ion and one water molecule. In the extended structure, chloride anions and water molecules are linked via O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming an infinite one‐dimensional chain. The chloride anions are also linked by two weak C—H...Cl interactions to neighbouring methylene groups and imidazole rings. Two imidazolium moieties form a homoconjugated cation through a strong and asymmetric O—H...O hydrogen bond of 2.472 (2) Å. The IR spectrum shows a continuous D‐type absorption in the region below 1300 cm⁻¹ and is different to that of 1‐carboxymethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride [Xuan, Wang & Xue (2012). Spectrochim. Acta Part A, 96 , 436–443].     

4‐Aminopyridinium 2‐(anthracen‐9‐yl)‐3‐oxo‐3H‐inden‐1‐olate monohydrate

The title compound, 2C₅H₇N₂⁺·2C₂₃H₁₃O₂⁻·H₂O, formed as a by‐product in the attempted synthesis of a nonlinear optical candidate molecule, contains two independent 4‐aminopyridinium cations and 2‐(anthracen‐9‐yl)‐3‐oxo‐3H‐inden‐1‐olate anions with one solvent water molecule. This is the first reported structure containing these anions. The two anions are not planar, having different interplanar angles between the anthracenyl and inden‐1‐olate moieties of 59.07 (5) and 83.92 (5)°. The crystal packing, which involves strong classical hydrogen bonds and one C—H...π interaction, appears to account for both the nonplanarity and this difference.     

A Nitroxide‐Tagged Platinum(II) Complex Enables the Identification of a DNA G‐Quadruplex Binding Mode

We reported a novel strategy for investigating small molecule binding to G‐quadruplexes (GQs). A newly synthesized dinuclear platinum(II) complex (Pt₂L) containing a nitroxide radical was shown to selectively bind a GQ‐forming sequence derived from human telomere (hTel). Using the nitroxide moiety as a spin label, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was carried out to investigate binding between Pt₂L and hTel GQ. Measurements indicated that two molecules of Pt₂L bind with one molecule of hTel GQ. The inter‐spin distance measured between the two bound Pt₂L, together with molecular docking analyses, revealed that Pt₂L predominately binds to the neighboring narrow and wide grooves of the G‐tetrads as hTel adopts the antiparallel conformation. The design and synthesis of nitroxide tagged GQ binders, and the use of spin‐labeling/EPR to investigate their interactions with GQs, will aid the development of small molecules for manipulating GQs involved in crucial biological processes.     

Induced Fitting and Polarization of a Bromine Molecule in an Electrophilic Inorganic Molecular Cavity and Its Bromination Reactivity

Dodecavanadate, [V₁₂O₃₂]^4? (V12), possesses a 4.4 Å cavity entrance, and the cavity shows unique electrophilicity. Owing to the high polarizability, Br₂ was inserted into V12, inducing the inversion of one of the VO₅ square pyramids to form [V₁₂O₃₂(Br₂)]^4? (V12(Br2)). The inserted Br₂ molecule was polarized and showed a peak at 185 cm^?1 in the IR spectrum. The reaction of V12(Br2) and toluene yielded bromination of toluene at the ring, showing the electrophilicity of the inserted Br₂ molecule. Compound V12(Br2) also reacted with propane, n‐butane, and n‐pentane to give brominated alkanes. Bromination with V12(Br2) showed high selectivity for 3‐bromopentane (64 %) among the monobromopentane products and preferred threo isomer among 2‐,3‐dibromobutane and 2,3‐dibromopenane. The unique inorganic cavity traps Br₂ leading the polarization of the diatomic molecule. Owing to its new reaction field, the trapped Br₂ shows selective functionalization of alkanes.     

Synthon preference in a hydrated β‐resorcylic acid structure and its cocrystal with thymine

Multicomponent crystals or cocrystals play a significant role in crystal engineering, the main objective of which is to understand the role of intermolecular interactions and to utilize such understanding in the design of novel crystal structures. Molecules possessing carboxylic acid and amide functional groups are good candidates for forming cocrystals. β‐Resorcylic acid monohydrate, C₇H₆O₄·H₂O, (I), crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with one β‐resorcylic acid molecule and one water molecule in the asymmetric unit. The cocrystal thymine–β‐resorcylic acid–water (1/1/1), C₅H₆N₂O₂·C₇H₆O₄·H₂O, (II), crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca2₁, with one molecule each of thymine, β‐resorcylic acid and water in the asymmetric unit. All available donor and acceptor atoms in (I) and (II) are utilized for hydrogen bonding. The acid and amide functional groups are well known for the formation of self‐complementary acid–acid and amide–amide homosynthons. In (I), an acid–acid homosynthon is observed, while in (II), an amide–acid heterosynthon is present. In (I), the β‐resorcylic acid molecule exhibits the expected intramolecular S(6) motif between the hydroxy and carbonyl O atoms, and an intermolecular R₂²(8) dimer motif between the carboxylic acid groups; only the former motif is observed in (II). The water solvent molecule in (I) propagates the discrete dimers into two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded sheets. In (II), thymine and β‐resorcylic acid molecules do not form self‐complementary amide–amide and acid–acid homosynthons; instead, a thymine–β‐resorcylic acid heterosynthon is observed. With the help of the water molecule, this heterosynthon is aggregated into a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network. The absence of thymine base pairing in (II) might be linked to the availability of additional functional groups and the preference of the donor and acceptor hydrogen‐bond combinations.     

A one‐dimensional coordination polymer based on Cd2O2 clusters: poly[aqua(μ3‐4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoato)(3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II)]

In the title mixed‐ligand metal–organic polymeric complex [Cd(C₁₄H₈O₆S)(C₁₆H₁₆N₂)(H₂O)]_n, the asymmetric unit contains a crystallographically unique Cd^II atom, one doubly deprotonated 4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoic acid ligand (H₂SDBA), one 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (TMPHEN) molecule and one water molecule. Each Cd^II centre is coordinated by two N atoms from the chelating TMPHEN ligand, three O atoms from monodentate carboxylate groups of three different SDBA²⁻ ligands and one O atom from a coordinated water molecule, giving a distorted CdN₂O₄ octahedral geometry. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound is a one‐dimensional double‐chain polymer containing 28‐membered rings based on Cd₂O₂ clusters, with a Cd...Cd separation of 3.6889 (4) Å. These chains are linked by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework. The framework is reinforced by π–π and C—O...π interactions.     

Synthesis,Structure, Antibacterial and Spectroscopic Properties of a Zinc(II) Complex with the Ligand 4‐Heptanoyl‐pyrazol‐5‐one

The long‐chain ligand, 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐heptanoyl‐pyrazol‐5‐one (HL) and its zinc(II) complex ZnL₂ were synthesized. The structure and the properties of ZnL₂ were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The zinc ion is five‐coordinated in a square‐pyramidal environment by four oxygen atoms of the HL ligands in the equatorial plane and one water molecule in the axial position. The water molecule is directly bonded to Zn²⁺ and involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding network. The complex and its corresponding ligand were screened in vitro against some strains of the human pathogenic bacteria. The metal complex exhibits higher antibacterial activity than its corresponding ligand. The complex exhibits purple effect emission as the result of fluorescence from the intraligand emission excited state.     

Fluorogenic Probe Using a Mislow–Evans Rearrangement for Real‐Time Imaging of Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) mediates the biology of wound healing, apoptosis, inflammation, etc. H₂O₂ has been fluorometrically imaged with protein‐ or small‐molecule‐based probes. However, only protein‐based probes have afforded temporal insights within seconds. Small‐molecule‐based electrophilic probes for H₂O₂ require many minutes for a sufficient response in biological systems. Here, we report a fluorogenic probe that selectively undergoes a [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement (seleno‐Mislow‐Evans rearrangement) with H₂O₂, followed by acetal hydrolysis, to produce a green fluorescent molecule in seconds. Unlike other electrophilic probes, the current probe acts as a nucleophile. The fast kinetics enabled real‐time imaging of H₂O₂ produced in endothelial cells in 8 seconds (much earlier than previously shown) and H₂O₂ in a zebrafish wound healing model. This work may provide a platform for endogenous H₂O₂ detection in real time with chemical probes.     

1‐(2‐Cyclohex‐2‐enylpropionyl)‐3‐methylurea, 2‐ethyl‐5‐methylhexanamide and 2‐ethylpentanamide: three products of barbiturate decomposition

The three title compounds were obtained by reactions which mimic, with more extreme conditions, the in vivo metabolism of barbiturates. 1‐(2‐Cyclohex‐2‐enylpropionyl)‐3‐methylurea, C₁₁H₁₈N₂O₂, (I), and 2‐ethylpentanamide, C₈H₁₇NO, (III), both crystallize with two unique molecules in the asymmetric unit; in the case of (III), one unique molecule exhibits whole‐molecule disorder. 2‐Ethyl‐5‐methylhexanamide, C₉H₁₉NO, (II), crystallizes as a fully ordered molecule with Z′ = 1. In the crystal structures, three different hydrogen‐bonding motifs are observed: in (I) a combination of R₂²(4) and R₂²(8) motifs, and in (II) and (III) a combination of R₄²(8) and R₂²(8) motifs. In all three structures, one‐dimensional ribbons are formed by N—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Influence of 1,4‐dioxane solvent inclusion on the crystal structure of 5,5′‐diphenyl‐2,2′‐(p‐phenylene)di‐1,3‐oxazole (POPOP)

Crystallization of 5,5′‐diphenyl‐2,2′‐(p‐phenylene)di‐1,3‐oxazole (POPOP), C₂₄H₁₆N₂O₂, from chloroform or 1,4‐dioxane yielded crystals in pure and solvated forms, respectively. The solvated crystals of POPOP were found to contain 1,4‐dioxane in a strict 1:2 compound–solvent stoichiometry, C₂₄H₁₆N₂O₂·C₄H₈O₂, thus being a defined solvent‐inclusion compound. The crystal system is monoclinic in both cases and the asymmetric unit of the cell contains only half of the molecule (plus one dioxane molecule in the case of the solvated structure), owing to the centrosymmetry of the di‐1,3‐oxazole molecule.     

A 1:1 cocrystal of fluconazole with salicylic acid

The interaction of the antifungal pharmaceutical agent fluconazole with salicylic acid in acetonitrile solution yields the 1:1 cocrystal 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)‐1,3‐bis(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol–2‐hydroxybenzoic acid (1/1), C₁₃H₁₂F₂N₆O·C₇H₆O₃. The asymmetric unit consists of one molecule of fluconazole and one molecule of salicylic acid, both in their neutral forms. Both crystal agents form head‐to‐tail hydrogen‐bonded dimers, which are further connected into hydrogen‐bonded extended zigzag tapes propagating along the ac diagonal.     

cis‐Dichloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol‐κ2N,N′)manganese(II): a supramolecular chain formed via O—H...Cl bonds and aromatic stacking

The title compound, [MnCl₂(C₁₂H₈N₂O₂)₂], displays a novel supramolecular chain formed by intermolecular O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds and aromatic stacking. The molecule has crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry with the Mn^II atom on the twofold axis. In the 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol ligand, each H atom of the two hydroxy groups is oriented towards the other hydroxy O atom. Both hydroxy groups form intermolecular O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds with a single Cl atom of an adjacent molecule. These hydrogen bonds connect the molecules via operation of the molecular twofold axis and the centre of inversion of the crystal lattice, forming a doubly‐bridged one‐dimensional structure with Mn atoms as the nodes. Strong aromatic π‐stacking between two antiparallel neighbouring 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol ligands also helps to stabilize the chain.     

Redetermination of rifampicin pentahydrate revealing a zwitterionic form of the antibiotic

Rifampicin belongs to the family of naphthalenic ansamycin antibiotics. The first crystal structure of rifampicin in the form of the pentahydrate was reported in 1975 [Gadret, Goursolle, Leger & Colleter (1975). Acta Cryst. B 31 , 1454–1462] with the rifampicin molecule assumed to be neutral. Redetermination of this crystal structure now shows that one of the phenol –OH groups is deprotonated, with the proton transferred to a piperazine N atom, confirming earlier spectroscopic results that indicated a zwitterionic form for the molecule, namely (2S,12Z,14E,16S,17S,18R,19R,20R,21S,22R,23S,24E)‐21‐acetyloxy‐6,9,17,19‐tetrahydroxy‐23‐methoxy‐2,4,12,16,18,20,22‐heptamethyl‐8‐[(E)‐N‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐4‐ium‐1‐yl)formimidoyl]‐1,11‐dioxo‐1,2‐dihydro‐2,7‐(epoxypentadeca[1,11,13]trienimino)naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐5‐olate pentahydrate, C₄₃H₅₈N₄O₁₂·5H₂O. The molecular structure of this antibiotic is stabilized by a system of four intramolecular O—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds. Four of the symmetry‐independent water molecules are arranged via hydrogen bonds into helical chains extending along [100], whereas the fifth water molecule forms only one hydrogen bond, to the amide group O atom. The rifampicin molecules interact via O—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating chains along [001]. Rifampicin pentahydrate is isostructural with recently reported rifampicin trihydrate methanol disolvate.     

A three‐dimensional polymeric potassium complex of 5‐sulfonobenzene‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic acid: poly[μ‐aqua‐aqua‐μ9‐(2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoato)‐dipotassium(I)]

The asymmetric unit in the structure of the title compound, [K₂(C₉H₄O₉S)(H₂O)₂]_n, consists of two eight‐coordinated K^I cations, one 2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoate dianion (H₂SBTC²⁻), one bridging water molecule and one terminal coordinated water molecule. One K^I cation is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms and three sulfonate O atoms from four H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by two bridging water molecules. The second K^I cation is coordinated by four sulfonate O atoms and three carboxylate O atoms from five H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by one terminal coordinated water molecule. The K^I cations are linked by sulfonate groups to give a one‐dimensional inorganic chain with cage‐like K₄(SO₃)₂ repeat units. These one‐dimensional chains are bridged by one of the carboxylic acid groups of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligand to form a two‐dimensional layer, and these layers are further linked by the remaining carboxylate groups and the benzene rings of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands to generate a three‐dimensional framework. The compound displays a photoluminescent emission at 460 nm upon excitation at 358 nm. In addition, the thermal stability of the title compound has been studied.     

The Helical Coordination Polymer Ag(Nic)2(NO3)

Single crystals of Ag(Nic)₂(NO₃) were obtained from an aqueous solution of silver nitrate and nicotine as plate‐like colourless crystals. The crystal structure (monoclinic, P2₁, Z = 2, a = 933.3(2), b = 1136.8(2), c = 1024.3(2) pm, β = 94.49(2)°) consists of helical chains in which one nicotine molecule bridges with both the pyridine‐N and the pyrrol‐N coordinating and with a second nicotine molecule terminally coordinating with the pyridine‐N. A monodentate nitrate‐O is completing the coordination sphere of Ag⁺ to a distorted tetrahedron. Ag–N distances (229‐240 pm) attest for a rather strong attraction of the nicotine molecules to Ag(I) and thereby constitute essentially a one‐dimensional, helical coordination polymer according to the formulation Ag(Nic1)_2/2(Nic2)_1/1(NO₃)_1/1.