A High‐Barrier Molecular Balance for Studying Face‐to‐Face Arene–Arene Interactions in the Solid State and in Solution

An atropisomeric molecular balance was developed to study face‐to‐face arene–arene interactions. The balance has a large central 1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide surface that forms intramolecular arene–arene interactions with two pendent arms. The balance adopts distinct syn and anti isomers with varying numbers of intramolecular interactions. Thus, the strength of the arene–arene interaction could be quantitatively measured by NMR spectroscopy from the anti/syn ratios. The size of the arene arms was easily varied, which allowed examination of the relationship between arene size and strength of the interaction. A nonlinear size dependence was observed in solution with larger arene arms having a disproportionately stronger arene–arene interaction. The intramolecular arene–arene interactions were also characterized in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. These studies were facilitated by the kinetic stability of the syn and anti isomers at room temperature due to the high isomerization barrier (ΔG=27.0 kcal mol^?1). Thus, the anti isomer could be selectively isolated and crystallized in its folded conformation. The X‐ray structures confirmed that the anti isomers formed two strong intramolecular arene–arene interactions with face‐to‐face geometries. The solid‐state structure analysis also reveals that the rigid framework may contribute to the observed nonlinear size trend. The acetate linker is slightly too long, which selectively destabilizes the balances with smaller arene arms. The larger arene arms are able to compensate for the longer linker and form effective intramolecular arene–arene interactions.     

A dimeric layered structure of a 4‐oxo‐4,5‐di­hydro‐1H‐pyrazolo­[3,4‐d]­pyrimidine compound

The title compound, 6‐methyl­sulfanyl‐1‐(3‐phenyl­propyl)‐4,5‐di­hydro‐1H‐pyrazolo­[3,4‐d]­pyrimidin‐4‐one, C₁₅H₁₆N₄OS, crystallizes in space group Pbca, with two mol­ecules of similar structure in the asymmetric unit. The molecular structure shows the absence of intramolecular stacking in the crystalline state, as indicated by earlier ¹H NMR analysis in solution. In addition, the crystal packing reveals the formation of a layered structure, due mainly to intermolecular N—H?O=C hydrogen bonding and arene–arene interactions.     

Catalytic Activity of Cationic and Neutral Silver(I)–XPhos Complexes with Nitrogen Ligands or Tolylsulfonate for Mannich and Aza‐Diels–Alder Coupling Reactions

Cationic and neutral silver(I)–L complexes (L=Buchwald‐type biaryl phosphanes) with nitrogen co‐ligands or organosulfonate counter ions have been synthesised and characterised through their structural and spectroscopic properties. At room temperature, both cationic and neutral silver(I)–L complexes are extremely active catalysts in the promotion of the single and double A³ coupling of terminal (di)alkynes, pyrrolidine and formaldehyde. In addition, the aza‐Diels–Alder two‐ and three‐component coupling reactions of Danishefsky’s diene with an imine or amine and aldehyde are efficiently catalysed by these cationic or neutral silver(I)–L complexes. The solvent influences the catalytic performance due to limited complex solubility or solvent decomposition and reactivity. The isolation of new silver(I)–L complexes with reagents as ligands lends support to mechanistic proposals for such catalytic processes. The activity, stability and metal–distal arene interaction of these silver(I)–L catalysts have been compared with those of analogous cationic gold(I) and copper(I) complexes.     

Surfing π Clouds for Noncovalent Interactions: Arenes versus Alkenes

A comparative study of molecular balances by NMR spectroscopy indicates that noncovalent functional‐group interactions with an arene dominate over those with an alkene, and that a π‐facial intramolecular hydrogen bond from a hydroxy group to an arene is favored by approximately 1.2 kJ mol^?1. The strongest interaction observed in this study was with the cyano group. Analysis of the series of groups CH₂CH₃, CH?CH₂, C?CH, and C?N shows a correlation between conformational free‐energy differences and the calculated charge on the C^α atom of these substituents, which is indicative of the electrostatic nature of their π interactions. Changes in the free‐energy differences of conformers show a linear dependence on the solvent hydrogen bond acceptor parameter β.     

Unmasking the Action of Phosphinous Acid Ligands in Nitrile Hydration Reactions Catalyzed by Arene–Ruthenium(II) Complexes

The catalytic hydration of benzonitrile and acetonitrile has been studied by employing different arene–ruthenium(II) complexes with phosphinous (PR₂OH) and phosphorous acid (P(OR)₂OH) ligands as catalysts. Marked differences in activity were found, depending on the nature of both the P‐donor and η⁶‐coordinated arene ligand. Faster transformations were always observed with the phosphinous acids. DFT computations unveiled the intriguing mechanism of acetonitrile hydration catalyzed by these arene–ruthenium(II) complexes. The process starts with attack on the nitrile carbon atom of the hydroxyl group of the P‐donor ligand instead of on a solvent water molecule, as previously suggested. The experimental results presented herein for acetonitrile and benzonitrile hydration catalyzed by different arene–ruthenium(II) complexes could be rationalized in terms of such a mechanism.     

Pillar[5]arene‐Stabilized Silver Nanoclusters: Extraordinary Stability and Luminescence Enhancement Induced by Host–Guest Interactions

Herein, we report the synthesis of a new class of functional silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) capped with pillar[5]arene (P5)‐based host ligands. These NCs are readily prepared through direct synthesis or ligand exchange synthesis and are stable at room temperature for over 4 months. The pillar[5]arene‐stabilized NCs (Ag₂₉(LA‐P5)₁₂(TPP)₂) endorse reversible host–guest interactions with neutral alkylamines and cationic quaternary ammonium guests. This results in the formation of spherical assemblies with unparalleled changes in their optical properties including an astonishing circa 2000‐fold luminescence enhancement. This is the highest luminescence enhancement ratio reported so far for such atomically precise NCs. Our synthetic protocol paves the way for the preparation of a new generation of metal nanoclusters protected by macrocyclic ligands with molecular recognition and selectivity toward specific guests.     

Density functional study of structural and electronic properties of maximum‐spin n+1Aun−1Ag clusters

The structures and relative stabilities of high‐spin ⁿ⁺¹Au_n?1Ag and ⁿAu_n?1Ag⁺ (n = 2–8) clusters have been studied with density functional calculation. We predicted the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. Our results revealed that all structures of high‐spin neutral or cationic Au_n?1Ag clusters can be understood as a substitution of an Au atom by an Ag atom in the high‐spin neutral or cationic Au_n clusters. The properties of mixed gold–silver clusters are strongly sized and structural dependence. The high‐spin bimetallic clusters tend to be holding three‐dimensional geometry rather than planar form represented in their low‐spin situations. Silver atom prefers to occupy those peripheral positions until to n = 8 for high‐spin clusters, which is different from its position occupied by light atom in the low‐spin situations. Our theoretical calculations indicated that in various high‐spin Au_n?1Ag neutral and cationic species, ⁵Au₃Ag, ³AuAg and ⁵Au₄Ag⁺ hold high stability, which can be explained by valence bond theory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Design of Ratiometric Fluorescent Probes Based on Arene–Metal‐Ion Interactions and Their Application to CdII and Hydrogen Sulfide Imaging in Living Cells

Non‐coordinative interactions between a metal ion and the aromatic ring of a fluorophore can act as a versatile sensing mechanism for the detection of metal ions with a large emission change of fluorophores. We report the design of fluorescent probes based on arene–metal‐ion interactions and their biological applications. This study found that various probes having different fluorophores and metal binding units displayed significant emission redshift upon complexation with metal ions, such as Ag^I, Cd^II, Hg^II, and Pb^II. X‐ray crystallography of the complexes confirmed that the metal ions were held in close proximity to the fluorophore to form an arene–metal‐ion interaction. Electronic structure calculations based on TDDFT offered a theoretical basis for the sensing mechanism, thus showing that metal ions electrostatically modulate the energy levels of the molecular orbitals of the fluorophore. A fluorescent probe was successfully applied to the ratiometric detection of the uptake of Cd^II ions and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in living cells. These results highlight the utility of interactions between arene groups and metal ions in biological analyses.     

A one‐dimensional silver(I) coordination polymer based on the 2‐[2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl]phenol ligand exhibiting photoluminescence

A one‐dimensional Ag^I coordination complex, catena‐poly[[silver(I)‐μ‐{2‐[2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl]phenol‐κ²N²:N³}] perchlorate monohydrate], {[Ag(C₁₉H₁₅N₃O)]ClO₄·H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the reaction of 2‐[2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl]phenol (L) with silver perchlorate. In the complex, the L ligands are arranged alternately and link Ag^I cations through one benzimidazole N atom and the N atom of the pyridine ring, leading to an extended zigzag chain structure. In addition, the one‐dimensional chains are extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via O—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions and π–π stacking interactions. The complex exhibits photoluminescence in acetonitrile solution, with an emission maximum at 390 nm, and investigation of the thermal stability reveals that the network structure is stable up to 650 K.     

First heterobimetallic AgI–CoIII coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO2 coordination modes: synthesis,characterization, structural and computational studies of (PPh3)2AgI–(μ‐κ2O,O′:κN‐NO2)–CoIII(DMGH)2(κN‐NO2)

An unusual heterobimetallic bis(triphenylphosphane)(NO₂)Ag^I–Co^III(dimethylglyoximate)(NO₂) coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO₂ (nitro) coordination modes has been isolated and characterized from the reaction of [CoCl(DMGH)₂(PPh₃)] (DMGH₂ is dimethylglyoxime or N,N′‐dihydroxybutane‐2,3‐diimine) with excess AgNO₂. In the title compound, namely bis(dimethylglyoximato‐1κ²O,O′)(μ‐nitro‐1κN:2κ²O,O′)(nitro‐1κN)bis(triphenylphosphane‐2κP)cobalt(III)silver(I), [AgCo(C₄H₇N₂O₂)₂(NO₂)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], one of the ambidentate –NO₂ ligands, in a bridging mode, chelates the Ag^I atom in an isobidentate κ²O,O′‐manner and its N atom is coordinated to the Co^III atom. The other –NO₂ ligand is terminally κN‐coordinated to the Co^III atom. The structure has been fully characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) have been used to study the ground‐state electronic structure and elucidate the origin of the electronic transitions, respectively.     

Preparation of Organometallic Ruthenium–Arene–Diaminotriazine Complexes as Binding Agents to DNA

The reactions of two diaminotriazine ligands 2,4‐diamino‐6‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (2‐pydaT) and 6‐phenyl‐2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine (PhdaT) with ruthenium–arene precursors led to a new family of ruthenium(II) compounds that were spectroscopically characterized. Four of the complexes were cationic, with the general formula [(η⁶‐arene)Ru(κ²‐N,N‐2‐pydaT)Cl]X (X=BF₄, TsO; arene=p‐cymene: 1.BF4 , 1.TsO arene=benzene: 2.BF4 , 2.TsO ). The neutral cyclometalated complex [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(κ²‐C,N‐PhdaT*)Cl] ( 3 ) was also isolated. The structures of complexes 2.BF4 and 3.H2O were determined by X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1.BF4 underwent a partial reversible‐aquation process in water. UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopic measurements showed that the reaction was hindered by the addition of NaCl and was pH‐controlled in acidic solution. At pH 7.0 (sodium cacodylate) Ru–Cl complex 1.BF4 was the only species present in solution, even at low ionic strength. However, in alkaline medium (KOH), complex 1.BF4 underwent basic hydrolysis to afford a Ru–OH complex ( 5 ). Fluorimetric studies revealed that the interaction of complex 1.BF4 with DNA was not straightforward; instead, its main features were closely linked to ionic strength and to the [DNA]/complex ratio. The bifunctional complex 1.BF4 was capable of interacting concurrently through both its p‐cymene and 2‐pydaT groups. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies showed that, contrary to the expected behavior, the complex species was biologically inactive; the formation of a Ru–OH complex could be responsible for such behavior.     

Crystal structure of a NIR‐Emitting DNA‐Stabilized Ag16 Nanocluster

DNA has been used as a scaffold to stabilize small, atomically monodisperse silver nanoclusters, which have attracted attention due to their intriguing photophysical properties. Herein, we describe the X‐ray crystal structure of a DNA‐encapsulated, near‐infrared emitting Ag₁₆ nanocluster (DNA–Ag₁₆NC). The asymmetric unit of the crystal contains two DNA–Ag₁₆NCs and the crystal packing between the DNA–Ag₁₆NCs is promoted by several interactions, such as two silver‐mediated base pairs between 3′‐terminal adenines, two phosphate–Ca²⁺–phosphate interactions, and π‐stacking between two neighboring thymines. Each Ag₁₆NC is confined by two DNA decamers that take on a horse‐shoe‐like conformation and is almost fully shielded from the solvent environment. This structural insight will aid in the determination of the structure/photophysical property relationship for this class of emitters and opens up new research opportunities in fluorescence imaging and sensing using noble‐metal clusters.     

Computational studies of stable hexanuclear CulAgmAun (l + m + n = 6; l,m, n > 0) clusters

A DFT study was carried out on the ground state structures of ternary Cu_lAg_mAu_n (l + m + n = 6) clusters, with the aim of investigating changes of thermal and kinetic stabilities as an effect of composition, as well as the composition dependence of the electrostatic potential, of stable planar structures. DFT optimizations were performed using the PBE functional and the SDD basis set. All the optimized structures adopt planar geometries with bent triangular structures. Calculated binding energy values are in the range 1.5–1.9 eV/atom, which shows their thermal stability. The predicted HOMO‐LUMO energy gap values are in the semiconductor region, providing a qualitative indication of a moderate kinetic stability. NBO analyses indicate the existence of two mechanisms promoting planar structural stability, one due to bonding‐antibonding orbital interaction, and the other one due to the well‐known spd hybridization. Wiberg indices were obtained showing interatomic bonding. Electrostatic potential calculations show the existence of nucleophilic attack regions preferentially around silver and copper atoms located at the vertices while electrophilic attack regions are found in the vicinity of gold atoms over the cluster plane. Apparently, charge transfer occurs toward gold from silver and copper atoms when the concentration is favorable in the proximity of gold atoms. In particular, if the small ternary clusters discussed here contain only one gold atom, then a high electron density is observed at the site of this gold atom. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A pseudo‐cage complex of silver(I) with tripodal tetraamine having benzyl end groups, {tris[2‐(benzylamino)ethyl]amine‐κ4N}silver(I) perchlorate

The synthesis and crystal structure of {tris­[2‐(benzyl­amino)­ethyl]­amine‐κ⁴N}silver(I) perchlorate, [Ag(C₂₇H₃₆N₄)]ClO₄ or [Ag(bz₃tren)]ClO₄ {bz₃tren is tris­[2‐(benzyl­amino)­ethyl]­amine or N,N′,N′′‐tri­benzyl­tris(2‐amino­ethyl)­amine} are reported. The Ag atom is coordinated to four N atoms of the tren unit and is located 0.604 (3) Å out of the trigonal plane described by the three secondary amine N atoms, away from the bridgehead N atom. Edge‐to‐face π–π interactions between the aromatic end groups, and weak interactions between Ag and arene, allow the formation of a pseudo‐cage complex.     

Acid–Base‐Triggered Structural Transformation of a Polyoxometalate Core Inside a Dodecahedrane‐like Silver Thiolate Shell

Self‐assembly of metavanadate and organosilver(I) salts leads to a novel dodecahedrane‐like [Ag₃₀(^tBuS)₂₀]¹⁰⁺ silver(I) thiolate nanocage that tightly wraps an unusual C_2h polyoxovanadate anion. The polyoxovanadate core undergoes transformation to a D_3d configuration upon acidification, and reverts back to its original C_2h structure upon addition of base. Chromism was observed for the silver(I) thiolate cluster during the configurational change of the central polyoxovanadate core; the color of the solution changes reversibly from green to dark yellow. This work represents the first reported example of chromic polyoxometalate‐templated silver(I) thiolate shells that respond to external acid–base stimuli. It also represents an important advance in providing crystallographic proof that structural transformations occur in a nanoscale core–shell cluster.     

Electronic Metal–Support Interactions in Single‐Atom Catalysts

The synthesis of single‐atom catalysts and the control of the electronic properties of catalytic sites to arrive at superior catalysts is a major challenge in heterogeneous catalysis. A stable supported single‐atom silver catalyst with a controllable electronic state was obtained by anti‐Ostwald ripening. An electronic perturbation of the catalytic sites that is induced by a subtle change in the structure of the support has a strong influence on the intrinsic reactivity. The higher depletion of the 4d electronic state of the silver atoms causes stronger electronic metal–support interactions, which leads to easier reducibility and higher catalytic activity. These results may improve our understanding of the nature of electronic metal–support interactions and lead to structure–activity correlations.     

Hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to anilines catalyzed by air‐stable arene ruthenium (II)–NNN pincer complexes

A series of air‐stable, phosphine‐free arene ruthenium (II)–NNN pincer complexes (RuL, RuL¹, RuL² and RuL³) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Further, arene ruthenium (II)–NNN pincer complexes have been used as catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroaromatics into aniline in the presence of NaBH₄ at room temperature. The catalytic process suggested highly chemo‐selective nitroreduction with wide functional group tolerance.     

Self‐Assembly of a Au16 Ring via Metal–Metal Bonding Interactions

Metal–metal bonding interactions have been employed as an efficient strategy to generate a number of unique gold(I) metallo‐macrocycles with fascinating functions. The self‐assembly, crystal structure and emission property of novel nest‐like tetramer 1₄ , namely, {[Au₄(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐dctp^2?)](BF₄)₂}₄ ? (CH₃CN)₂ (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, dctp^2?=N,N′‐bis(dicarbodithioate)‐2,11‐diaza[3.3]paracyclophane) is reported. The complex has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and CSI‐MS spectrometry. The aggregate demonstrates the sixteen gold(I) atoms are arranged in a ring with a circumference of 50.011(68) Å generated by Au^I???Au^I attractions. UV/visible and luminescence spectroscopy revealed that this Au^I???Au^I bonded metallo‐macrocycle exhibited yellow phosphorescence.     

Tri­carbonyl(η6‐chloro­benzene)­chromium

The title compound, [Cr(C₆H₅Cl)(CO)₃], is the first group 6 tri­carbonyl ­η⁶‐monohaloarene compound to be structurally characterized. It adopts a classic piano‐stool structure, with the Cr(CO)₃ tripod assuming a syn‐eclipsed conformation relative to the arene ring (ϕ = 2.0°). The extended structure is dominated by intermolecular π⃛H interactions (H⃛ring centroid = 2.94 Å) and non‐classical hydrogen bonds between carbonyl and arene moieties (O⃛H = 2.50–2.58 Å).