Direct Structural Identification of Gas Induced Gate‐Opening Coupled with Commensurate Adsorption in a Microporous Metal–Organic Framework

Gate‐opening is a unique and interesting phenomenon commonly observed in flexible porous frameworks, where the pore characteristics and/or crystal structures change in response to external stimuli such as adding or removing guest molecules. For gate‐opening that is induced by gas adsorption, the pore‐opening pressure often varies for different adsorbate molecules and, thus, can be applied to selectively separate a gas mixture. The detailed understanding of this phenomenon is of fundamental importance to the design of industrially applicable gas‐selective sorbents, which remains under investigated due to the lack of direct structural evidence for such systems. We report a mechanistic study of gas‐induced gate‐opening process of a microporous metal–organic framework, [Mn(ina)₂] (ina=isonicotinate) associated with commensurate adsorption, by a combination of several analytical techniques including single crystal X‐ray diffraction, in situ powder X‐ray diffraction coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (XRD‐DSC), and gas adsorption–desorption methods. Our study reveals that the pronounced and reversible gate opening/closing phenomena observed in [Mn(ina)₂] are coupled with a structural transition that involves rotation of the organic linker molecules as a result of interaction of the framework with adsorbed gas molecules including carbon dioxide and propane. The onset pressure to open the gate correlates with the extent of such interaction.     

Crystal Dynamics in Multi‐stimuli‐Responsive Entangled Metal–Organic Frameworks

An understanding of solid‐state crystal dynamics or flexibility in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) showing multiple structural changes is highly demanding for the design of materials with potential applications in sensing and recognition. However, entangled MOFs showing such flexible behavior pose a great challenge in terms of extracting information on their dynamics because of their poor single‐crystallinity. In this article, detailed experimental studies on a twofold entangled MOF ( f‐MOF‐1) are reported, which unveil its structural response toward external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, and guest molecules. The crystallographic study shows multiple structural changes in f‐MOF‐1 , by which the 3 D net deforms and slides upon guest removal. Two distinct desolvated phases, that is, f‐MOF‐1 a and f‐MOF‐1 b , could be isolated; the former is a metastable one and transformable to the latter phase upon heating. The two phases show different gated CO₂ adsorption profiles. DFT‐based calculations provide an insight into the selective and gated adsorption behavior with CO₂ of f‐MOF‐1 b . The gate‐opening threshold pressure of CO₂ adsorption can be tuned strategically by changing the chemical functionality of the linker from ethanylene (?CH₂?CH₂?) in f‐MOF‐1 to an azo (?N=N?) functionality in an analogous MOF, f‐MOF‐2 . The modulation of functionality has an indirect influence on the gate‐opening pressure owing to the difference in inter‐net interaction. The framework of f‐MOF‐1 is highly responsive toward CO₂ gas molecules, and these results are supported by DFT calculations.     

A Cooperative Pillar–Template Strategy as a Generalized Synthetic Method for Flexible Homochiral Porous Frameworks

A new strategy for creating homochiral metal–organic frameworks through a fusion of pillaring and templating concepts is demonstrated. This strategy makes use of the synergy among various chemical interactions during self‐assembly processes, and leads to the synthesis of a series of homochiral frameworks. In the presence of only pillar‐to‐pillar π–π interactions, inter‐pillar forces compete against metal–pillar interactions, resulting in mismatch between pillar‐to‐pillar and metal‐to‐metal separations and consequently 2D materials without pillaring. To create 3D materials, a method was developed to use various aromatic molecules, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particular, as templates to modulate the inter‐pillar interaction and separation, leading to the formation of 3D homochiral frameworks. The use of aromatic molecules, especially hydrocarbons, as structure‐directing agents, represents a new approach in the development of crystalline porous materials. Aromatic templates can be post‐synthetically extracted to yield flexible porous homochiral materials with gate‐opening gas sorption behaviors for both N₂ and CO₂ at partial pressures tunable by temperature.     

Tuning the Gate‐Opening Pressure in a Switching pcu Coordination Network,X‐pcu‐5‐Zn,by Pillar‐Ligand Substitution

Coordination networks that reversibly switch between closed and open phases are of topical interest since their stepped isotherms can offer higher working capacities for gas‐storage applications than the related rigid porous coordination networks. To be of practical utility, the pressures at which switching occurs, the gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressures, must lie between the storage and delivery pressures. Here we study the effect of linker substitution to fine‐tune gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressure. Specifically, three variants of a previously reported pcu ‐topology MOF, X‐pcu‐5‐Zn , have been prepared: X‐pcu‐6‐Zn , 6 =1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane (bpe), X‐pcu‐7‐Zn , 7 =1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)acetylene (bpa), and X‐pcu‐8‐Zn , 8 =4,4′‐azopyridine (apy). Each exhibited switching isotherms but at different gate‐opening pressures. The N₂, CO₂, C₂H₂, and C₂H₄ adsorption isotherms consistently indicated that the most flexible dipyridyl organic linker, 6 , afforded lower gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressures. This simple design principle enables a rational control of the switching behavior in adsorbent materials.     

Tuning the Gate‐Opening Pressure in a Switching pcu Coordination Network,X‐pcu‐5‐Zn,by Pillar‐Ligand Substitution

Coordination networks that reversibly switch between closed and open phases are of topical interest since their stepped isotherms can offer higher working capacities for gas‐storage applications than the related rigid porous coordination networks. To be of practical utility, the pressures at which switching occurs, the gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressures, must lie between the storage and delivery pressures. Here we study the effect of linker substitution to fine‐tune gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressure. Specifically, three variants of a previously reported pcu ‐topology MOF, X‐pcu‐5‐Zn , have been prepared: X‐pcu‐6‐Zn , 6 =1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane (bpe), X‐pcu‐7‐Zn , 7 =1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)acetylene (bpa), and X‐pcu‐8‐Zn , 8 =4,4′‐azopyridine (apy). Each exhibited switching isotherms but at different gate‐opening pressures. The N₂, CO₂, C₂H₂, and C₂H₄ adsorption isotherms consistently indicated that the most flexible dipyridyl organic linker, 6 , afforded lower gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressures. This simple design principle enables a rational control of the switching behavior in adsorbent materials.     

Spin Frustration in a Family of Pillared Kagomé Layers of High‐Spin Cobalt(II) Ions

Based on the analogous kagomé [Co₃(imda)₂] layers (imda=imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate), a family of pillar‐layered frameworks with the formula of [Co₃(imda)₂(L)₃] ? (L)_n ? xH₂O ( 1 : L=pyrazine, n=0, x=8; 2 : L=4,4′‐bipyridine, n=1, x=8; 3 : L=1,4‐di(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene, n=1, x=13; 4 : L=4,4′‐di(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,1′‐biphenyl, n=1, x=14) have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal/solvothermal method. Single‐crystal structural analysis shows a significant increase in the interlayer distances synchronized with the extension of the pillar ligands, namely, 7.092(3) ( 1 ), 10.921(6) ( 2 ), 14.780(5) ( 3 ), and 19.165(4) Å ( 4 ). Despite the wrinkled kagomé layers in complexes 2 – 4 , comprehensive magnetic characterizations revealed weakening of interlayer magnetic interactions and an increase in the degree of frustration as the pillar ligand becomes longer from 1 to 4 ; this leads to characteristic magnetic ground states. For compound 4 , which has the longest interlayer distance, the interlayer interaction is so weak that the magnetic properties observed within the range of temperature measured would correspond to the frustrated layer.     

Intrinsic Flexibility of the Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework ZIF‐7 Unveiled by CO2 Adsorption and Hg Intrusion

ZIF‐7, built as an assembly of Zn^II centers and benzimidazolate ligands, shows prominent S‐shaped isotherms upon CO₂ adsorption that can be attributed to sorbate‐induced gate‐opening phenomena involving a narrow‐to‐large pore phase transition. This peculiar sorption pattern can be captured via the formulation of thermodynamic isotherms, providing a direct enthalpic and entropic view of the gate‐opening process. Relying on such an approach, an energy barrier with preferential enthalpic nature for CO₂ adsorption/desorption in the gate‐opening region could be unveiled. Moreover, the elastic energy involved during the gate‐opening process was revisited to 1.4–2.8 kJ mol^?1 of solid in the temperature range 273–323 K, matching the value measured by isostatic compression of a ZIF‐7_lp sample filled with DMF and showing a dominant entropic contribution.     

Efficient Separation of n‐Butene and iso‐Butene by Flexible Ultramicroporous Metal‐Organic Frameworks with Pocket‐like Cavities

Efficient separation of n‐butene (n‐C₄H₈) and iso‐butene (iso‐C₄H₈) is of significance for the upgrading of C4 olefins to high‐value end products but remains one of the major challenges in hydrocarbon purifications owing to their similar structures. Herein, we report a flexible metal‐organic framework, MnINA (INA=isonicotinate), featuring one‐dimensional pore channels with periodically large pocket‐like cavities connected by narrow bottlenecks, for the first time for efficient n‐/iso‐C₄H₈ separation. MnINA with smaller pore size (4.62 Å) compared with CuINA (4.84 Å), exhibits steep adsorption isotherms and high capacity of 1.79 mmol g^?1 for n‐C₄H₈ (4.46 Å) through strong host‐guest interactions via C?H???π bonding. The narrow bottlenecks exert barriers for the large molecules of iso‐C₄H₈ (4.84 Å) within the gate‐opening pressure range of 0–0.1 bar. This gives rise to MnINA with excellent separation selectivity of 327.7 for n‐/iso‐C₄H₈ mixture. The adsorption mechanism for n‐C₄H₈ and the gate‐opening effect were investigated by dispersion‐corrected density functional (DFT‐D) theory, verifying the strong interactions between n‐C₄H₈ and the frameworks as well as the gate‐opening effect derived from the rotation of organic linkers. The breakthrough tests confirmed MnINA and CuINA can be promising candidates for n‐/iso‐C₄H₈ separation.     

Surface Charge‐Transfer Doping of Graphene Nanoflakes Containing Double‐Vacancy (5‐8‐5) and Stone–Wales (55‐77) Defects through Molecular Adsorption

The adsorption of six electron donor–acceptor (D/A) organic molecules on various sizes of graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) containing two common defects, double‐vacancy (5‐8‐5) and Stone–Wales (55‐77), are investigated by means of ab initio DFT [M06‐2X(‐D3)/cc‐pVDZ]. Different D/A molecules adsorb on a defect graphene (DG) surface with binding energies (ΔE_b) of about ?12 to ?28 kcal mol^?1. The ΔE_b values for adsorption of molecules on the Stone–Wales GNF surface are higher than those on the double vacancy GNF surface. Moreover, binding energies increase by about 10 % with an increase in surface size. The nature of cooperative weak interactions is analyzed based on quantum theory of atoms in molecules, noncovalent interactions plot, and natural bond order analyses, and the dominant interaction is compared for different molecules. Electron density population analysis is used to explain the n‐ and p‐type character of defect graphene nanoflakes (DGNFs) and also the change in electronic properties and reactivity parameters of DGNFs upon adsorption of different molecules and with increasing DGNF size. Results indicate that the HOMO–LUMO energy gap (E_g) of DGNFs decreases upon adsorption of molecules. However, by increasing the size of DGNFs, the E_g and chemical hardness of all complexes decrease and the electrophilicity index increases. Furthermore, the values of the chemical potential of acceptor–DGNF complexes decrease with increasing size, whereas those of donor–DGNF complexes increase.     

Piling Up Pillar[5]arenes To Self‐Assemble Nanotubes

New liquid‐crystalline pillar[5]arene derivatives have been prepared by grafting first‐generation Percec‐type poly(benzylether) dendrons onto the macrocyclic scaffold. The molecules adopt a disc‐shaped structure perfectly suited for self‐organization into a columnar liquid‐crystalline phase. In this way, the pillar[5]arene cores are piled up, thus forming a nanotubular wire encased within a shell of peripheral dendrons. The capability of pillar[5]arenes to form inclusion complexes has been also exploited. Specifically, detailed binding studies have been carried out in solution with 1,6‐dicyanohexane as the guest. Inclusion complexes have also been prepared in the solid state. Supramolecular organization into the Col_h mesophase has been deduced from X‐ray diffraction data and found to be similar to that observed within the crystal lattice of a model inclusion complex prepared from 1,4‐dimethoxypillar[5]arene and 1,6‐dicyanohexane.     

Proton‐Conducting Magnetic Coordination Polymers

Three isostructural lanthanide‐based two‐ dimensional coordination polymers (CPs) {[Ln₂(L)₃(H₂O)₂]_n ? 2n CH₃OH) ? 2n H₂O} (Ln=Gd³⁺ ( 1 ), Tb³⁺ ( 2 ), Dy³⁺ ( 3 ); H₂L=cyclobutane‐1,1‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by using a low molecular weight dicarboxylate ligand and characterized. Single‐crystal structure analysis showed that in complexes 1 – 3 lanthanide centers are connected by μ₃‐bridging cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands along the c axis to form a rod‐shaped infinite 1D coordination chain, which is further linked with nearby chains by μ₄‐connected cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands to form 2D CPs in the bc plane. Viewing the packing of the complexes down the b axis reveals that the lattice methanol molecules are located in the interlayer space between the adjacent 2D layers and form H‐bonds with lattice and coordinated water molecules to form 1D chains. Magnetic properties of complexes 1 – 3 were thoroughly investigated. Complex 1 exhibits dominant ferromagnetic interaction between two nearby gadolinium centers and also acts as a cryogenic magnetic refrigerant having a significant magnetic entropy change of ?ΔS_m=32.8 J kg^?1 K^?1 for ΔH=7 T at 4 K (calculated from isothermal magnetization data). Complex 3 shows slow relaxation of magnetization below 10 K. Impedance analysis revealed that the complexes show humidity‐dependent proton conductivity (σ=1.5×10^?5 S cm^?1 for 1 , σ=2.07×10^?4 S cm^?1 for 2 , and σ=1.1×10^?3 S cm^?1 for 3 ) at elevated temperature (>75 °C). They retain the conductivity for up to 10 h at high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, the proton conductivity results were correlated with the number of water molecules from the water‐vapor adsorption measurements. Water‐vapor adsorption studies showed hysteretic and two‐step water vapor adsorption (182000 μL g^?1 for 1 , 184000 μL g^?1 for 2 , and 1874000 μL g^?1 for 3 ) in the experimental pressure range. Simulation of water‐vapor adsorption by the Monte Carlo method (for 1 ) confirmed the high density of adsorbed water molecules, preferentially in the interlayer space between the 2D layers.     

Host–Guest Complexation of Perethylated Pillar[5]arene with Alkanes in the Crystal State

Activated perethylated pillar[5]arene crystals show an unexpected alkane‐shape‐ and ‐length‐selective gate‐opening behavior. Activated crystals were obtained upon removing solvents from perethylated pillar[5]arene crystals by heating. The activated crystals could quantitatively take up n‐alkanes with carbon chains containing more than five carbon atoms as a consequence of their gate‐opening pressure. As the chain length of the n‐alkanes increased, the gate pressure decreased. A transformation into a herringbone structure was induced when n‐hexane was used as a guest. By contrast, cyclic and branched alkanes were not taken up and could not induce a crystal transformation because they were too large to fit in the cavities of the pillar[5]arene. Alkane‐shape‐selective molecular recognition of pillar[5]arenes in the solution state was translated into the vapor/crystal state.     

HBr or not HBr? That is the question: crystal structure of 6‐hydroxy‐1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diium dibromide redetermined

Liu et al. [Chin. J. Struct. Chem. (1996). 15 , 371–373] reported the structure of 6‐hydroxy‐1,4‐diazepane di(hydrogen bromide), C₅H₁₂N₂O·2HBr, which was interpreted in terms of neutral diazepane and HBr molecules. We found, however, ample evidence that the formation of an organic salt, consisting of a diammonium cation and two bromide anions, is more plausible. This interpretation is also in agreement with thermogravimetric analysis and with the observed solution behaviour. The crystal structure of 6‐hydroxy‐1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diium dibromide, C₅H₁₄N₂O²⁺·2Br^?, measured at 142 K, crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. The structure displays O—H…Br and N—H…Br hydrogen bonding. Contact distances are given. A search in the Cambridge Structural Database for the singly‐bonded H—Br moiety revealed a total of 69 structures. The question, whether these structures really include HBr as neutral molecules or rather Br^? anions and a protonated substrate such as an amine, is addressed.     

Four 1‐naphthyl‐substituted tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepines: hydrogen‐bonded structures in one,two and three dimensions

(2S*,4R*)‐2‐exo‐(1‐Naphthyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, C₂₀H₁₇NO, (I), crystallizes with Z′ = 2 in the space group P2₁; the two independent molecules have the same absolute configuration, although this configuration is indeterminate. The molecules of each type are linked by a combination of C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds to form two independent sheets, each containing only one type of molecule. (2SR,4RS)‐7‐Methyl‐2‐exo‐(1‐naphthyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, C₂₁H₁₉NO, (II), crystallizes as a true racemate in the space group P2₁/c, and a combination of C—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links the molecules into sheets, each containing equal numbers of the two enantiomorphs. (2S*,4R*)‐2‐exo‐(1‐Naphthyl)‐7‐trifluoromethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, C₂₁H₁₆F₃NO₂, (III), crystallizes as a single enantiomorph, as for (I), but now with Z′ = 1 in the space group P2₁2₁2₁; again, the absolute configuration is indeterminate. A single C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bond links the molecules of (III) into simple chains. (2S,4R)‐8‐Chloro‐9‐methyl‐2‐exo‐(1‐naphthyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepine, C₂₁H₁₈ClNO, (IV), crystallizes as a single enantiomorph of well defined configuration, in the space group P2₁2₁2₁, where two independent C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a single three‐dimensional framework structure.     

Synthesis of Phenylene‐Silylene‐Vinylene Polymer and Copolymer by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Silylative Cross‐Coupling Reaction

RuH(OAc)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ catalyzed silylative cross‐coupling polycondensation of 4‐(dimethylvinylsilyl)styrene ( 2 ) and copolycondensation of 1,4‐divinylbenzene ( 4 ) with 1,4‐bis(dimethylvinylsilyl)benzene ( 5 ) appeared to be a novel synthetic route for highly stereo‐ and regioselective synthesis of phenylene(arylene)‐silylene‐vinylene polymers.     

Construction of π‐Surface‐Metalated Pillar[5]arenes which Bind Anions via Anion–π Interactions

By simple ligand exchange of the cationic transition‐metal complexes [(Cp*)M(acetone)₃](OTf)₂ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and M=Ir or Rh) with pillar[5]arene, mono‐ and polynuclear pillar[5]arenes, a new class of metalated host molecules, is prepared. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis shows that the charged transition‐metal cations are directly bound to the outer π‐surface of aromatic rings of pillar[5]arene. One of the triflate anions is deeply embedded within the cavity of the trinuclear pillar[5]arenes, which is different to the host–guest behavior of most pillar[5]arenes. DFT calculation of the electrostatic potential revealed that the metalated pillar[5]arenes featured an electron‐deficient cavity due to the presence of the electron‐withdrawing transition metals, thus allowing encapsulation of electron‐rich guests mainly driven by anion–π interactions.     

Nine closely related tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepines carrying pendant heterocyclic substituents: hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular assembly in zero,one and two dimensions

The structures are reported of nine closely related tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1‐benzazepines carrying pendant heterocyclic substituents, namely: 2‐exo‐(5‐nitrofuran‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄, (I), 7‐fluoro‐2‐exo‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₅H₁₅FN₂O, (II), 7‐fluoro‐2‐exo‐(5‐methylfuran‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₅H₁₄FNO₂, (III), 7‐fluoro‐2‐exo‐(3‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₅H₁₄FNOS, (IV), 7‐fluoro‐2‐exo‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₅H₁₄FNOS, (V), 7‐chloro‐2‐exo‐(5‐methylfuran‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₅H₁₄ClNO₂, (VI), 2‐exo‐(5‐methylfuran‐2‐yl)‐7‐trifluoromethoxy‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₆H₁₄F₃NO₃, (VII), 2‐exo‐(3‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐7‐trifluoromethoxy‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₆H₁₄F₃NO₂S, (VIII), and 2‐exo‐(5‐nitrofuran‐2‐yl)‐7‐trifluoromethoxy‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐1H‐1‐benzazepine, C₁₅H₁₁F₃N₂O₅, (IX). All nine compounds crystallize in centrosymmetric space groups as racemic mixtures with configuration (2RS,4SR). There are no direction‐specific interactions between the molecules in (V). The molecules in (III), (IV), (VI) and (VII) are linked into simple chains, by means of a single C—H...O hydrogen bond in each of (III), (VI) and (VII), and by means of a single C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bond in (IV), while the molecules in (VIII) are linked into a chain of rings. In each of (I) and (II), a combination of one C—H...O hydrogen bond and one C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bond links the molecules into sheets, albeit of completely different construction in the two compounds. In (IX), the sheet structure is built from a combination of four independent C—H...O hydrogen bonds and one C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bond. Comparisons are made with some related compounds.     

NIR‐Absorbing Donor–Acceptor Based 1,1,4,4‐Tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐Diene (TCBD)‐ and Cyclohexa‐2,5‐Diene‐1,4‐Ylidene‐Expanded TCBD‐Substituted Ferrocenyl Phenothiazines

A series of unsymmetrical (D‐A‐D₁, D₁‐π‐D‐A‐D₁, and D₁‐A₁‐D‐A₂‐D₁; A=acceptor, D=donor) and symmetrical (D₁‐A‐D‐A‐D₁) phenothiazines ( 4 b , 4 c , 4 c′ , 5 b , 5 c , 5 d , 5 d′ , 5 e , 5 e′ , 5 f , and 5 f′ ) were designed and synthesized by a [2+2] cycloaddition–electrocyclic ring‐opening reaction of ferrocenyl‐substituted phenothiazines with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). The photophysical, electrochemical, and computational studies show a strong charge‐transfer (CT) interaction in the phenothiazine derivatives that can be tuned by varying the number of TCNE/TCNQ acceptors. Phenothiazines 4 b , 4 c , 4 c′ , 5 b , 5 c , 5 d , 5 d′ , 5 e , 5 e′ , 5 f and 5 f′ show redshifted absorption in the λ =400 to 900 nm region, as a result of a low HOMO–LUMO gap, which is supported by TD‐DFT calculations. The electrochemical study exhibits reduction waves at low potential due to strong 1,1,4,4‐tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐diene (TCBD) and cyclohexa‐2,5‐diene‐1,4‐ylidene‐expanded TCBD acceptors. The incorporation of cyclohexa‐2,5‐diene‐1,4‐ylidene‐expanded TCBD stabilized the LUMO energy level to a greater extent than TCBD.     

Synthesis,Water Adsorption,and Proton Conductivity of Solid‐Solution‐Type Metal–Organic Frameworks Al(OH)(bdc‐OH)x(bdc‐NH2)1−x

Mixed‐ligand metal–organic frameworks Al(bdc‐OH)_x(bdc‐NH₂)_1?x (H₂bdc‐NH₂=aminoterepthalic acid, H₂bdc‐OH=hydroxyterephthalic acid) were synthesized and their water adsorption behavior and proton conductivity were investigated. All obtained compounds were isostructural to MIL‐53 (MIL=Materials of Institut Lavoisier) according to XRD measurements under ambient humidity conditions, and were also found to be single phase across the whole mixing ratio from the XRD measurements under humidified conditions. This result clearly shows that all compounds are a solid‐solution‐type mixture of ligands. MIL‐53‐NH₂ adsorbs one water molecule per formula with humidification whereas MIL‐53‐OH adsorbs five water molecules. The mixing ratio of the ligands in Al(OH)(bdc‐OH)_x(bdc‐NH₂)_1?x affected the gate‐opening pressure for water adsorption and total water uptake. Proton conductivity of these compounds largely depends on the adsorbed amount of water, which indicates that the proton conductivity of these compounds depends strongly on the hydrogen‐bond network of the conducting media.     

1,4‐Bis[2‐(4‐ferrocenylphenyl)ethynyl]anthraquinone from synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction

The title compound, [Fe₂(C₅H₅)₂(C₄₀H₂₂O₂)] or 1,4‐(FcPh)₂Aq [where FcPh is 2‐(4‐ferrocenylphenyl)ethynyl and Aq is anthraquinone], was synthesized in an attempt to obtain a new solvent‐incorporating porous material with a large void space. Thermodynamic data for 1,4‐(FcPh)₂Aq show a phase transition at approximately 430 K. The crystal structure of solvent‐free 1,4‐(FcPh)₂Aq was determined at temperatures of 90, 300 and 500 K using synchrotron powder diffraction data. A direct‐space method using a genetic algorithm was employed for structure solution. Charge densities calculated from observed structure factors by the maximum entropy method were employed for model improvement. The final models were obtained through multistage Rietveld refinements. In both phases, the structures of which differ only subtly, the planar Aq fragments are stacked alternately in opposite orientations, forming a one‐dimensional column. The FcPh arms lie between the stacks and fill the remaining space, leaving no voids. C—H...π interactions between the Ph and Fc fragments mediate crystal packing and stabilization.