Cholesteryl derivatives as phase-selective gelators at room temperature

One cholesterol-based ALS and two dimeric cholesterol-based A(LS)₂ low-molecular-mass organic gelators (LMOGs) containing phthaloyl, isophthaloyl, and terephthaloyl moieties, respectively, were prepared. Gelation test revealed that 2 and 3 are more efficient gelators than 1. Interestingly, 2 and 3 can gel several solvents spontaneously at room temperature and these gels posses thixotropic properties as revealed by rheological studies. More interestingly, 2 and 3 show selective gelation of the solvents from their mixtures with water. The network structures of some gels were investigated by SEM measurements, and the molecular packing mode of the LMOGs in the gel was studied by XRD analysis. Temperature- and concentration-dependent ¹H NMR measurements revealed that hydrogen bonding between the gelator molecules is an important driving force for the gel formation.     

Supramolecular organogelators based on Janus type AT nucleosides

J-AT nucleoside-based organogelators 1a and 1b were designed and synthesized. They were endowed with unparalleled superiority to natural nucleobase analogues 2–6 to gelate aromatic solvents due to their excellent self-assembly properties. The J-AT nucleoside-based organogelators showed a specific self-complementary base pair recognition characteristic. The gel stabilities of 1a and 1b were drastically influenced by adenine analogue 2, hardly affected by thymine analogue 3, uracil analogue 4, cytosine analogue 5, and mildly interrupted by guanine analogue 6.     

Polymer-supported calix[4]arenes for sensing and conversion of NO2/N2O4

The use of simple calix[4]arenes 1a,b for NO₂/N₂O₄ sensing and conversion is demonstrated, both in solution and in the solid state. Upon reacting with these gases, compounds 1a,b encapsulate reactive NO⁺ cations within their cavities with the formation of deeply colored (λ_max∼570 nm) charge-transfer complexes 2a,b. Further functionalization of the calix[4]arene platform is reported for attachment to solid supports. Polymer-supported calixarene material 3 was prepared, which reversibly traps NO₂/N₂O₄ with the formation of nitrosonium storing polymer 4. Material 4 was effectively used for nitrosation of amides.     

Synthesis and characterization of boronates derived from non-symmetric amino-bis-phenols

The condensation of 2-[[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]methyl]-phenols (1a-1e) with different arylboronic acids led to 12 new monomeric boronates of the type 2-aryl-dibenzo[d,h]-6-aza-1,3-dioxa-2-boracyclononene (2a-2l). The boronates were characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹¹B- and 2D-NMR experiments, FT infrared, mass spectra and elemental analyses. The stereochemistry of the H-N → B-Ph fusion is always cis, as established through the NMR spectra, as well as the X-ray structures of four boronates (2a, 2e, 2f and 2l). Hydrogen bonds between the amine proton and the oxygen ester of the five- membered ring are present in three X-ray structures (2a, 2e and 2f), while the supramolecular structure in the derivative possessing a primary amine (2l) is built up through the protons present in this moiety instead of the proton from the H-N → B-Ph fragment.     

New guanidinium-based carboxylate receptors derived from 5-amino-pyrrole-2-carboxylate: synthesis and first binding studies

The syntheses of two new guanidinium-based carboxylate receptors 2a,b derived from 5-amino pyrrole-2-carboxylate 4 are described. These receptors bind N-acetyl alanine carboxylate and O-acetyl lactate efficiently in aqueous DMSO as could be shown by NMR studies. However, compared to previously reported guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole receptors 1, the reversal in the direction of the amide group in 2a,b changes both the substrate selectivity (amides are now preferred over esters) and their relative binding affinities. Both effects can be explained based on the calculated complex structure.     

Self-assembly of a new series of quadruply hydrogen bonded heterotrimers driven by the donor-acceptor interaction

This paper describes the self-assembly of a new series of heterotrimers in chloroform-d by utilizing the cooperative interaction of hydrogen bonding and donor-acceptor interaction. Compounds 1 and 11, in which an 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone unit is connected to 34-crown-10 or 36-crown-10, were used as donor monomer, and 2 and 19, in which an 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone unit is connected to NDI, were used as acceptor monomer, while linear compound 4, which contains two diamido-1,8-naphthyridines, was used as template. A large tri-p-(t-butyl)phenylmethoxyl group was introduced to 19 in order to compare its assembling behavior with that of 2. Mixing 4 with dimer 1·2 caused 1·2 to fully decompose and to afford 55% of ‘in-in’-oriented heterotrimer 1·4·2. Adding 4 to the solution of 2·11 or 11·19 in chloroform-d also led to full dissociation of the dimers. However, in these systems the ‘in-in’-arranged heterotrimer 2·4·11 or 11·4·19 could be produced exclusively.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and photoluminescent properties of lanthanide supramolecular complexes with 4-oxo-1(4H)-quinolineacetate

Five new lanthanide supramolecular complexes, namely, [Sm(oqa)₂(H₂O)₄]₂ (ClO₄)₂·(bpy)₂ (1), [Ln(oqa)₃]·2H₂O [Ln=Sm(2), Gd(3)] and [Ln(oqa)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)] [Ln=Pr(4), Eu(5)] (oqa=4-oxo-1(4H)-quinolineacetate, bpy=4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. These complexes exhibit three typical structure features. Complex 1 possesses a dimeric structure, which is further connected together through hydrogen bonds and π-π attractions, forming a 3D supramolecular framework. Compounds 2-3 are isomorphous and contain 1D ring-like chains, which are further interconnected by the oqa ligands into 2D sheet-like structures. 4 and 5 exhibit eight-connected 3D network of 4²⁴·6⁴-bcu topology. The various coordination modes of carboxylate ligands and the selection of the counterions have clearly affected the topological structures. Furthermore, the solid-state luminescent properties of complexes 1, 2 and 5 were investigated at room temperature and they show intense, characteristic emissions in the visible region.     

Synthesis and structure of new aryltellurenyl halides derived from (dmpTe)2 (dmp = 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)

[RTeTeR] (R = dmp = 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl) (1) reacts with bromine to give [RTeTe(Br)₂R] (2) and [RTeBr₃] (3), and with SOCl₂ to yield [RTeTe(Cl)₂R] (5) and [RTeCl₃] (6). The recrystallization of compound 3 in acetone produces [RTeBr₂(CH₂-C(O)-CH₃)] (4). The hydrolysis of 2 in aqueous ammonia and methanol containing media affords the methoxy/oxo-derivative [RTe(μ-O)(OCH₃)]₂ (7). All the title compounds were obtained with good yields, and strong Te?O_(methoxy), as well as Te?X (X = Br, Cl) secondary interactions, support the distorted octahedral configurations shown mostly in the polymeric compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6. Complexes 2 and 5 close the series of compounds with the structure [RTeTe(X)₂R] (X = Cl, Br, I), started earlier with [RTeTe(I)₂R].     

An investigation of the complexation properties of cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) in water

This article reports the characterization of pseudorotaxanes fabricated from cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) 1, and 1,4-dialkyloxyphenyl derivative 2 or 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene derivative 3 in water. Addition of competing guest 3 to 1.2 or the electrochemical reduction of the cyclophane of 1.3 results in a dethreading of the original pseudorotaxane architecture.     

Excavatoids A-D, new polyoxygenated briaranes from the octocoral Briareum excavatum

Three polyoxygenated briaranes, including two new compounds, excavatoids A (1) and B (2), and a known metabolite, briaexcavatin I (3), were isolated from the cultured octocoral Briareum excavatum. Moreover, the wild type B. excavatum, collected off southern Taiwan coast, yielded two new 5,6-epoxybriaranes, excavatoids C (4) and D (5). The structures of new compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were determined by spectroscopic methods and the structure of 1 was further confirmed by X-ray diffraction data analysis. The X-ray structure for briaexcavatin I (3) was also reported for the first time. Excavatoid A (1) is the first briarane which possesses six hydroxy groups and a 17-methoxy group. Excavatoid C (4) is the first 12,13-secobriarane which possesses a novel pentacyclic skeleton with an ?-lactone. Excavatoid D (5) displayed moderate inhibitory effects on superoxide anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils.     

Cyclopentadienylaluminum donor-acceptor complexes - Molecular and supramolecular structure

Lewis acid-base complexes of cyclopentadienylaluminum derivatives Me_xCp_3−x Al (x = 0-2) and trimethylaluminum with selected aromatic amines (L): dmap = 4-dimethylaminopyridine, py-Me = 4-methylpyridyne, were synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁷Al NMR: Cp₃Al · dmap (1), Cp₃Al · py-Me (2), MeCp₂Al · dmap (3), MeCp₂Al · py-Me (4), Me₂CpAl · dmap (5), Me₂CpAl · py-Me (6), Me₃Al · py-Me (7). ¹H NMR studies of 3-6 revealed small amounts of the ligand redistribution products. The crystal structures of 1, 2 and 3 were determined by single X-ray diffraction studies. The compounds 1, 2 and 3 are monomeric with Cp ligands bonded to the aluminum center in η¹(σ), η¹(π) manner. The change of Cp-Al bond character from η¹(π) to η¹(σ) was found to reasonable correlate with the aromaticity of Cp⁻ ligand described by HOMA index. Analysis of close intra- and intermolecular contacts showed presence of CH?π interactions leading to the formation of 2-D supramolecular networks. It was found that these interactions impact on the coordination sphere of aluminum and the conformation of Cp ring.     

Structural diversity of di and triorganotin complexes with 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid: Supramolecular structures involving intermolecular Sn?O, O-H?O or C-H?X (X = O or S) interactions

Twelve new organotin complexes with 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid of two types: R_nSn[S(C₆H₄COOH)]_4−n (I) (n = 3: R = Me 1, n-Bu 2, Ph 3; PhCH₂4; n = 2: R = Me 5; n-Bu 6, Ph 7, PhCH₂8) and R₃Sn(SC₆H₄COO)SnR₃ · mEtOH (II) (m = 0: R = Me 9, n-Bu 10, PhCH₂12; m = 2: R = Ph 11), along with the 4,4′-bipy adduct of 9, [Me₃Sn(SC₆H₄COO)SnMe₃]₂(4,4-bipy) 13, have been synthesized. The coordination behavior of 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid is monodentate in 1-8 by thiol S atom but not carboxylic oxygen atom. While, in 9-13 it behaves as multidenate by both thiol S atom and carboxylic oxygen atoms. The supramolecular structures of 6, 11 and 13 have been found to consist of 1D molecular chains built up by intermolecular O-H?O, C-H?O or C-H?S hydrogen bonds. The supramolecular aggregation of 7 is 2D network determined by two C-H?O hydrogen bonds. Extended intermolecular C-H?O interactions in the crystal lattice of 9 link the molecules into a 2D network.     

Multiple hydrogen-bond-induced supramolecular nanostructure from a pincer-like molecule and a [60]fullerene derivative

A new supramolecular self-assembled system between a perylene bisimide bearing diaminopyridine-substituted isophthalamide groups (PP) and a [60]fullerene containing barbituric acid moiety (C₆₀bar) through a complementary six-point hydrogen-bonding interaction was constructed. The formation of hydrogen bonding was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectra studies in CDCl₃. Fluorescence quenching experiments indicated that the fluorescence of PP was greatly quenched by the hydrogen-bonded C₆₀bar (K_sv=2.71×10⁴ M⁻¹). A steady and rapid cathodic 0.15 μA cm⁻² photocurrent response of the PP/C₆₀bar film deposited onto an ITO electrode was produced under the irradiation of 20 mW cm⁻² white light, indicating the presence of photo-induced electron transfer between PP and C₆₀bar. TEM images showed that spherical particles were fabricated by the self-assembly of PP and C₆₀bar through hydrogen-bonding interaction.     

Anion dependent formation of Ag(I) complexes of multidentate azine ligands: Synthesis and structural study

The extended structures of Ag-complexes of the azine based ligands phenyl-2-pyridyl ketone azine (L₁) and di-2-pyridyl ketone azine (L₂) are reported, and focus is made on the investigation of the influence of the anion and supramolecular interactions on the self-assembly. Using AgNO₃, AgClO₄ and CF₃COOAg salts as starting materials for both ligands in acetonitrile, we observed the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ag₂(L₁)₂](NO₃)₂ (1a), [Ag₂(L₁)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1b), from L₁, the tetranuclear complexes [Ag₄(L₂)₂ (NO₃)(CH₃CN)₂](NO₃)₃ (2a), [Ag₄(L₂)₂(CF₃COO)₃CH₃CN](CF₃COO) (2b) and the linear chain polynuclear complex {[Ag₃(L₂)₂] (ClO₄)₃}_n (3) from L₂. The X-ray structures show that the molecular geometry depends on the choice of anion. The silver centers have distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry in all the complexes. Weak hydrogen bonding and other interactions result in 2-D and 3-D networks in these complexes.     

The structural diversity of Te-I interactions within tetraorganoditelluroxane diiodides and related compounds

Two tetraorganoditelluroxane diiodides (R₂Te)₂OI₂ (3, R = p-MeOC₆H₄; 5, R = Me) were prepared by the reaction of (p-MeOC₆H₄)₂TeI₂ (1) and (p-MeOC₆H₄)₂TeO (2) and the base hydrolysis of Me₂TeI₂ (4), respectively. The base hydrolysis of C₄H₈TeI₂ (8) afforded the tritelluroxane diiodide (C₄H₈Te)₃O₂I₂ (9). The reaction of Me₂TeI₂ (4) and Me₂Te(OH)₂ (6) in a ratio of 1:3 produced the coordination polymer of the composition 2 (Me₂Te)₂O(I)OH · H₂O (7). An attempt at preparing an adduct of 3 with iodine failed but provided co-crystals of (p-MeOC₆H₄)₂TeI₂ · I₂ (1a). The supramolecular structures of 1a, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are dominated by structurally directing secondary Te?I interactions.     

1-Naphthyl- and mesityltellurium(IV, II) derivatives of small bite chelating organic ligands: Effect of steric bulk and intramolecular secondary bonding interaction on molecular geometry and supramolecular association

The synthesis and characterization of unsymmetric diorganotellurium compounds containing a sterically demanding 1-naphthyl or mesityl ligand and a small bite chelating organic ligand capable of 1,4-Te?N(O) intramolecular interaction is described. The reaction of ArTeCl₃ (Ar = 1-C₁₀H₇, Np; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, Mes) with (SB)HgCl [SB = the Schiff base, 2-(4,4′-NO₂C₆H₄CHNC₆H₃-Me)] or a methyl ketone (RCOCH₃) afforded the corresponding dichlorides (SB)ArTeCl₂ (Ar = Np, 1Aa; Mes, 1Ba) or (RCOCH₂)ArTeCl₂ (Ar = Np; R = Ph (2Aa), Me (3Aa), Np (4Aa); Ar = Mes, R = Ph (2Ba)). Reduction of 1Aa and 1Ba by Na₂S₂O₅ readily gave the tellurides (SB)ArTe (Ar = Np (1A), Mes, (1B)) but that of dichlorides derived from methylketones was complicated due to partial decomposition to tellurium powder and diarylditelluride (Ar₂Te₂), resulting in poor yields of the corresponding tellurides 2A, 2B and 3A. Oxidation of the isolated tellurides with SO₂Cl₂, Br₂ and I₂ yielded the corresponding dihalides. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized with the help of IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹²⁵Te NMR and in the case of 2Aa, and 2Ba by X-ray crystallography. Appearance of only one ¹²⁵Te signal indicated that the unsymmetric derivatives were stable to disproportionation to symmetric species. Intramolecular 1,4-Te?O secondary bonding interactions (SBIs) are exhibited in the crystal structures of both the tellurium(IV) dichlorides, 2Aa, and 2Ba. Steric repulsion of the mesityl group in the latter dominates over lone pair-bond pair repulsion, resulting in significant widening of the equatorial C-Te-C angle. This appears to be responsible for the lack of Te?Cl involved supramolecular associations in the crystal structure of 2Ba.     

Copper(II) complexes with 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methyl-6-phenylpyrimidine: Syntheses, crystal structures and catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization

The copper(II) complexes CuLCl₂ (1) and CuLBr₂ (2), with the chelating pyrazolylpyrimidine ligand 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-methyl-6-phenylpyrimidine (L), have been synthesized. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed that 1 and 2 have molecular mononuclear structures. The molecules of 1 and 2 form chains in the crystal structures of these compounds due to the formation of π-π-stacking interactions between the pyrimidine and the phenyl rings. The complexes, in combination with the co-catalyst methylaluminoxane (MAO), reveal catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization, while the free ligand L is inactive.     

Structural diversity in Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination complexes with the rigid N,N′-bis(2/3-aryl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide ligand

The syntheses and structures of a series of metal complexes, namely Cu₂Cl₄(L¹)(DMSO)₂·2DMSO (L¹ = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 1; {[Cu(L²)_1.5(DMF)₂][ClO₄]₂·3DMF}_∞ (L² = N,N′-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 2; {[Cd(NO₃)₂(L³)]·2DMF}_∞ (L³ = N,N′-bis-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 3; {[HgBr₂(L³)]·H₂O}_∞, 4, and {[Na(L³)₂][Hg₂X₅]·2DMF}_∞ (X = Br, 5; I, 6) are reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear and the molecules are interlinked through S?S interactions. In 2, the Cu(II) ions are linked through the L² ligands to form 1-D ladder-like chains with 60-membered metallocycles, whereas complexes 3 and 4 form 1-D zigzag chains. In complexes 5 and 6, the Na(I) ions are linked by the L³ ligands to form 2-D layer structures in which the [Hg₂X₅]⁻ anions are in the cavities. The L² ligand acts only as a bridging ligand, while L¹ and L³ show both chelating and bridging bonding modes. The L¹ ligand in 1 adopts a trans-anti conformation and the L² ligand in 2 adopts both the cis-syn and trans-anti conformations, whereas the L³ ligands in 3–6 adopt the trans conformation.     

Synthesis and reactivity of para-substituted benzoylmethyltellurium(II and IV) compounds: observation of intermolecular C-H-O hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure of (p-MeOC6H4COCH2)2TeBr2

Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dibromides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂, (Y=H (1a), Me (1b), MeO (1c)) can be prepared either by direct insertion of elemental Te across C_Rf-Br bonds (where C_Rf refers to α-carbon of a functionalized organic moiety) or by the oxidative addition of bromine to (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂Te (Y=H (2a), Me (2b), MeO (2c)). Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dichlorides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeCl₂ (Y=H (3a), Me (3b), MeO (3c)), are prepared by the reaction of the bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurides 2a-c with SO₂Cl₂, whereas the corresponding diiodides (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeI₂ (Y=H (4a), Me (4b), MeO (4c)) can be obtained by the metathetical reaction of 1a-c with KI, or alternatively, by the oxidative addition of iodine to 2a-c. The reaction of 2a-c with allyl bromide affords the diorganotellurium dibromides 1a-c, rather than the expected triorganotelluronium bromides. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy (solution and solid-state) and in case of 1c also by X-ray crystallography. (p-MeOC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂ (1c) provides, a rare example, among organotellurium compounds, of a supramolecular architecture, where C-H-O hydrogen bonds appear to be the non-covalent intermolecular associative force that dominates the crystal packing.     

The case of a Cd2Cu2 complex containing an apparently C3-symmetric ligand: Erroneous ligand-structure assignment by X-ray diffraction data analysis

A simplified synthesis of a previously reported Cd₂Cu₂ complex 4 was developed in order to have a more readily available source of 1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethyl)-cyclohexane-cis,cis-1,3,5-triol 1, a unique tridentate ligand, only tentatively identified elsewhere. Attempts to liberate the ligand from 4 resulted in the sole formation of 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)-tetrahydropyran-cis,cis-2,4,6-triol (2); no traces of 1 were detected. A newly conducted X-ray analysis of complex 4 led to diffraction data that could be explained either by the previously reported structure for 4 or by the statistically disordered structure 5, containing ligand 2 rather than 1. Whereas refinement of both models led to equivalent merit factors, mass spectral data and elemental analysis of the crystals revealed unequivocally the sole presence of the tetrahydropyran derivative within the complex and proved thus the erroneous structure assignment 4 previously published for compound 5.