Aromatic guest inclusion by a tripodal ligand: Fluorescence and structural studies

The newly synthesized simple tripodal ligand tris-[2-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-amine (L₁) act as a fluorescence signaling system for aromatic guest. It forms inclusion complexes with several electron deficient aromatic compounds. This inclusion phenomenon has been studied by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and solid-state structural analysis. Electron-rich L₁ shows dramatic color change and a concomitant quenching of luminescence in solution as well as solid phase when titrated with several other electron deficient aromatic guest molecules. Rather high selectivity towards the picric acid was observed. L₁ simultaneously forms inclusion complex and organic salt co-crystal with the composition [(L₁H⁺) (Pic⁻)]  PicH (PicH = picric acid) when crystallized in the presence of picric acid. In the solid state, it forms a strong π–π, C–Hπ and C–HO type interactions.     

Supramolecular formation by aromatic ring stacking and hydrogen bonding in lanthanide(III) complexes with amino acids and 1,10-phenanthroline

[Eu(ABA)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₃·3phen·4.5H₂O (1) and [Eu(Val)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₃·3phen·2H₂O (2) are two new europium complexes with amino acids and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, ABA=-amino butyl acid, Val= -valine). Their crystal structures were measured by X-ray crystallography. Europium atoms in both complexes are nine-coordinated with bidentate 1,10-phenanthroline and carboxylate anion of amino acids, and water molecules. In the solid state, 1 and 2 have a structure involving aromatic stacking of the coordinated and non-coordinated 1,10-phenanthroline and the oxygen atoms of non-coordinated perchlorate anions being H-bond acceptors connect [Eu(ABA)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃]³⁺·3phen·4.5H₂O or [Eu(Val)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃]³⁺·3phen·2H₂O in their structures. In their interactions, several C–HO bonds play an important role. Owing to their different amino acid ligands and the number of lattice water molecules, there is some difference in their hydrogen bond patterns in 1 and 2. The side chain of -valine is involved in the formation of C–HO bonds. Hydrogen bond and π–π interactions determine the supramolecular formation of three-dimensional net works of both complexes.     

Cationic cobaltammine as anion receptor: Synthesis, characterization, single crystal X-ray structure and packing analysis of hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride (R,R)-tartrate monohydrate

In an effort to utilize the [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ cation as a new anion receptor (binding agent) for dihydroxy dicarboxylate anion i.e., tartrate, orange single crystals of hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride (R,R)-tartrate monohydrate, [Co(NH₃)₆]Cl(C₄H₄O₆)·H₂O, were obtained by reacting hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride with potassium–sodium tartrate tetrahydrate in a 1:1 molar ratio in hot water. The single crystal X-ray structure determination of [Co(NH₃)₆]Cl(C₄H₄O₆)·H₂O revealed that a distinctive network of hydrogen bonding interactions (N–HO, N–HCl⁻, O–HO) stabilize the crystal lattice. This is the first complex salt of hexaamminecobalt(III) with dihydroxy dicarboxylate anion i.e., tartrate.     

Structural and spectral investigation on the Co complexes with 1,4-diazacycloheptane (DACH) functionalized by heterocyclic pendants

A series of penta-coordinated Co^II complexes of 1,4-diazacycloheptane (DACH) functionalized by additional imidazole or pyridine donor pendants, [CoL¹Cl](ClO₄)·H₂O (1), [CoL²Cl](ClO₄) (2) and [CoL³Cl](ClO₄)·CH₃OH (3), where L¹=1,4-bis(imidazole-4-ylmethyl)-DACH, L²=1,4-bis(N-1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-DACH and L³=1,4-bis(pyridyl-2-ylmethyl)-DACH have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV–Vis spectra. In all the mononuclear complexes, each Co^II center is penta-coordinated to four nitrogen donors of the ligand and one axial chloride anion. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, which forms a one-dimensional linear structure through inter-molecular C–HCl and C–HO hydrogen-bonding.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-etheno-1,8-dichloro-11-diphenylphosphinyl-12-(diphenylphosphinylethynyl)anthracene

The title compound, 9,10-dihydro-9,10-etheno-1,8-dichloro-11-diphenylphosphinyl-12-(diphenylphosphinylethynyl)anthracene (1), has been synthesized and its crystal structure has been determined. The compound 1 crystallized into the triclinic space group P-1 with =74.837(4)°, β=88.156(4)°, γ=65.398(4)°, Z=2, D_c=1.352 gcm⁻³. In the crystal structure of 1a, one chloroform molecule was included by the compound 1 with a 1:1 ratio and the existence of non-classical intermolecular C–HO hydrogen bonds, intramolecular C–HCl and C–HO hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking were observed.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structure characteristics of two new supramolecular compounds assembled from octamolybdates and bpy units (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine)

Two new compounds, (Hbpy)₃(bpy)₂[K(Mo₈O₂₆)]·2H₂O (1) and H₃(bpy)₅[K(Mo₈O₂₆)]·H₂O(2) (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) have been synthesized under hydrothermal condition by using nearly the same starting materials, and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TGA, XPS and single crystal X-ray diffractions. The crystal structure analyses reveal that the two compounds possess unusual networks constructed from octamolybdates, potassium ions and organic groups. Both 1 and 2 consist of an identical inorganic chain , and they have analogous structures to each other with slightly different packing modes of the organic groups and water molecules and exhibit unusual three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular networks through extensive multi-point C–HO and N–HO hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of two new Cd(II) complexes with 3-(2-pyridy)pyrazole-based ligand: influence of anions

Two new Cd(II) complexes with a 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole-based ligand, [Cd(L)₂(SCN)₂] (1) and {[Cd(L)₂N₃](ClO₄)}_n (2) (L=3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethylbenzene) were synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a=14.833(3), b=13.790(3), c=15.970(3) Å, β=110.89(3)° and Z=4, while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, with a=13.622(4), b=23.286(7), c=10.547(3) Å, β=111.084(6)° and Z=4. In the two complexes, the Cd(II) centers are coordinated by six nitrogen atoms, in which four from two distinct L ligands and two from thiocyanato (1) or azido (2) anions. Complex 1 has a mononuclear structure, whereas 2 has a 1D chain structure bridged by azido anions. In 2, the azido adopts a μ-1,3-trans coordination mode, which is not common in the azide Cd(II) complexes. In addition, in the structure of 2, the 1D chains were further assembled into a quasi-3D supramolecular network by the C–HO hydrogen-bonding interactions. The structural difference of the two complexes is attributable to the different anions, which have different coordination natures.     

First principles study of the structure, electronic state and stability of SinCm anions

Structure, electronic state and energy of Si_nC⁻ and Si_nC⁻₂ (n=1–7) anions have been investigated using the density functional theory. Structural optimization and frequency analysis are performed at the level B3LYP/6-311G(d). The charged-induced structural changes in these anions have been discussed. The strong C–C bond is also favored over C–Si bonds in the Si_nC⁻_m anions in comparison with corresponding neutral cluster. Among different Si_nC⁻ and Si_nC⁻₂ (n=1–7) anions, Si₃C⁻, Si₅C⁻ and Si₂C⁻₂ are most stable. Their stability has a decreasing tendency with the increase in the size of these clusters.     

Vibrational spectra, structure and hydrogen bonding of 5-tert-butylpyrazole and its zinc complexes

New zinc complexes [L₂ZnX₂] with X=Cl (I), Br (II), I (III) and NO₃ (IV), [L₃Zn(OClO₃)]ClO₄ (V) and [L₄Zn](ClO₄)₂ (VI) with 5-tert-butylpyrazole as ligand L were synthesized and characterized by infrared-, Raman-, mass- and NMR-spectroscopy. The assignment of the vibrational frequencies for the complexes in the range of 4000–80 cm⁻¹ is proposed. Analysis of the IR spectra in the range of ν_NH frequencies shows that 5-tert-butylpyrazole forms cyclic associates in the solid using intermolecular NHN hydrogen bonds. This was proven by a crystal structure determination, which showed that L exists as tetramers in the solid state. In solution there is an equilibrium between tetramers and monomers and, probably, dimers or trimers. In the complexes, the NH-groups of L form intramolecular H-bonds with the X-group. The intramolecular H-bond in VI has interionic character and partially dissociates in solution at high dilution. Ligand vibrations that are sensitive to the coordination and the dependence of their frequencies on the anionic group X has been revealed.     

Ab initio structural trends and torsional sensitivity in n-hexane and comparisons with crystallographic structural results

The molecular structures of n-hexane were determined by RHF/4-21G ab initio geometry optimization at 30° grid points in its three-dimensional τ₁(C11–C8–C5–C1), τ₂(C14–C11–C8–C5), τ₃(C17–C14–C11–C8) conformational space. Of the resulting 12×12×12=1728 grid structures, 468 are symmetrically non-equivalent and were optimized constraining the torsions τ₁, τ₂, and τ₃ to the respective grid points, while all other structural parameters were relaxed without any constraints. From the results, complete parameter surfaces were constructed using natural cubic spline functions, which make it possible to calculate parameter gradients, |P|=[(∂P/∂τ_i)²+(∂P/∂τ_j)²]^1/2, where P is a C–C bond length or C–C–C angle. The parameter gradients provide an effective measure of the torsional sensitivity of the system and indicate that dynamic activities in one part of the molecule can significantly affect the density of states, and thus the contributions to vibrational entropy, in another part. This opens the possibility of dynamic entropic conformational steering in complex molecules; i.e. the generation of free energy contributions from dynamic effects of one part of a molecule on another. When the conformational trends in the calculated C–C bond lengths and C–C–C angles are compared with average parameters taken from some 900 crystallographic structures containing n-hexyl fragments or longer C–C bond sequences, some correlation between calculated and experimental trends in angles is found, in contrast to the bond lengths for which the two sets of data are in complete disagreement. The results confirm experiences often made in crystallography. That is, effects of temperature, crystal structure and packing, and molecular volume effects are manifested more clearly in bond lengths than bond angles which depend mainly on intramolecular properties. Frequency analyses of the τ₁, τ₂ and τ₃ torsional angles in the crystal structures show conformational steering in the sense that, if τ₁ is trans peri-planar (170°≤τ₁≤180°; −180°≤τ₁≤−170°), the values of τ₂ and τ₃ are clustered closely around the ideal gauche (±60°) and trans (±180°) positions. In contrast, when τ₁ is in the region (50°≤τ₁≤70°), there is a definite increase in the populations of τ₂ and τ₃ at −90 and −150°.     

Copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of 4-cyanobenzonic acid: syntheses, crystal structures and spectral properties

Three new metal complexes, Cu(4-Hcba)₂(4-cba)₂(Py)₂ (4-Hcba=4-cyanobenzoic acid) 1 and M[H(4-cba)₂]₂(Py)₂ (M=Ni 2, Co 3), have been prepared by the treatment of 4-Hcba with the respective metal nitrate M(NO₃)₂ (M=Cu, Ni, Co) in the presence of pyridine (Py). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (3 is isostructural to 2) show that the obtained complexes are of isolated mononuclear and the metal atoms have distorted octahedral coordination environment. Two different types of intramolecular hydrogen bonds exist: asymmetrical O–HO for 1 and symmetrical OHO for 2 and 3. The crystal packing between the molecular complexes is controlled mainly by T-shaped C–Hπ interactions between pyridine and phenyl rings. Preliminary discussions on IR, UV–VIS and fluorescent spectra have also been carried out.     

Molecular, supramolecular structure and catalytic activity of transition metal complexes of phenoxy acetic acid derivatives

Six mononuclear complexes [M(L₁)₂(H₂O)₄] (M = Co(II), 1a and M = Mn(II), 1b), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂] (1c), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)(Py)₂] (1d), [Cu(L₃)(H₂O)Cl] · H₂O (3a) and [Co(Sal)(H₂O)(Py)₃] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O (3b) of phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and Schiff base were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co(II) (1a) and Mn(II) (1b) complexes are isomorphous. X-ray crystal structural analyses reveal that these coordination complexes form polymeric structure via formation of different types of hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions in solid. Thermal analysis along with the powder X-ray diffraction data of these complexes shows the importance of the coordinated and/or crystal water molecules in stabilizing the MOF structure. Complexes 1a, 1c, 3a show marginal catalytic activity in the oxidation of olefins to epoxides in the presence of i-butyraldehyde and molecular oxygen.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and characterizations of new zinc (II) and lead (II) carboxylate-phosphonates

The syntheses, crystal structures and characterizations of two new divalent metal carboxylate-phosphonates, namely, Zn(H₃L)·2H₂O (1) and Pb(H₃L)(H₂O)₂ (2) (H₅L4-HO₂C–C₆H₄–CH₂N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂₎ have been reported. Compound 1 features a 1D column structure in which the Zn(II) ions are tetrahedrally coordinated by four phosphonate oxygen atoms from four phosphonate ligands, and neighboring such 1D building blocks are further interconnected via hydrogen bonds into a 3D network. The carboxylate group of H₃L anion remains non-coordinated. Compound 2 has a 2D layer structure. Pb(II) ion is 7-coordinated by four phosphonate oxygen atoms from four phosphonate ligands and three aqua ligands. The interconnection of Pb(II) ions via bridging H₃L anions results in a 001 layer. The carboxylate group of the H₃L anion also remains non-coordinated and is oriented toward the interlayer space. Solid state luminescent spectrum of compound 1 exhibits a strong broad blue fluorescent emission band at 455 nm under excitation at 365 nm at room temperature.     

An ab initio and matrix isolation infrared study of the 1:1 C2H2–CHCl3 adduct

The details of weak C–Hπ interactions that control several inter and intramolecular structures have been studied experimentally and theoretically for the 1:1 C₂H₂–CHCl₃ adduct. The adduct was generated by depositing acetylene and chloroform in an argon matrix and a 1:1 complex of these species was identified using infrared spectroscopy. Formation of the adduct was evidenced by shifts in the vibrational frequencies compared to C₂H₂ and CHCl₃ species. The molecular structure, vibrational frequencies and stabilization energies of the complex were predicted at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels. Both the computational and experimental data indicate that the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex has a weak hydrogen bond involving a C–Hπ interaction, where the C₂H₂ acts as a proton acceptor and the CHCl₃ as the proton donor. In addition, there also appears to be a secondary interaction between one of the chlorine atoms of CHCl₃ and a hydrogen in C₂H₂. The combination of the C–Hπ interaction and the secondary ClH interaction determines the structure and the energetics of the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex. In addition to the vibrational assignments for the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex we have also observed and assigned features owing to the proton accepting C₂H₂ submolecule in the acetylene dimer.     

N-(p-methoxyphenyl)-N-prop-2-ynyl-urea: a crystal structure with the rare Z′=5, and statistical data on Z′ values

The crystal structure of N-(p-methoxyphenyl)-N-prop-2-ynyl-urea contains five symmetry-independent molecules (Z′=5), which is a high and rarely occurring value. The five molecules have similar but not identical conformations, and form similar but not identical intermolecular interactions. The terminal alkyne groups of the five molecules are oriented differently, and form different hydrogen bond interactions (C–HO and C–Hπ). This is an example of how simple molecules can form a highly complicated solid state structure.     

Synthesis and structural analysis of some trinitromethanide salts

Two trinitromethanide (TNM) salts containing weakly coordinating cations (tetrabutylammonium and cesium) were synthesized via incomplete nitration of acetic anhydride followed by cation exchange with tetrabutylammonium bromide and cesium fluoride. Their structural characteristics were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography [J.C. Bryan, M.N. Burnett, A.A. Gakh, Acta Crystallogr., Sect. C (Cr. Str. Comm.) 54 (1998) 1229] followed by comparative analysis with the literature data. In all cases, the TNM anion was found to be a non-planar system. The sum of dihedral angles between the central (C–N₃) plane of the anion and the planes of the individual nitro groups varies from 60 to 100°. C–N and N–O interatomic distances in TNM anion can be correlated with the dihedral angles of the corresponding nitro groups. The ¹³C and ¹⁴N NMR spectra of the TNM anion are very simple (broad singlets), an indication of the equivalence (on the NMR time scale) of the nitro groups in solution. The distribution ratio between organic phase (tributyl phosphate) and water is 5000 times higher for Cs⁺C(NO₂)₃⁻ compared to Cs⁺NO₃⁻, presumably due to size and/or charge delocalization differences between nitrate and TNM anions.     

Ru- and Fe-based N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-methyl-(1S,2S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine complexes immobilised on mesoporous MCM-41: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications

Protected mesoporous MCM-41 phases were synthesized by grafting of the ligand, (1S,2S)-N,N′-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (L₂Me), through the reactive 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (3-CPTMS) group and designated as L₂Me-MCM-41. Subsequently, RuCl₃ and Fe(BF₄)₂ or Fe(CF₃SO₃)₂ were added to the heterogenized L₂Me-MCM-41 for complexation and designated as M-L₂Me-MCM-41 (M = Ru and Fe). All samples were characterized in detail using XRD, N₂ sorption isotherm, FT-IR, TGA-DTA, XPS, UV–vis, solid state ¹³C NMR, EPR and elemental analysis, etc. The XRD and sorption measurements of the catalyst confirmed the structural integrity of the mesoporous hosts and the spectroscopic characterization techniques proved the successful anchoring of the metal complexes over the modified mesoporous support. The screening of catalyst M-L₂Me-MCM-41 was done for the oxidation reaction of thioanisole (methyl phenyl sulphide) using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. The Ru-L₂Me-MCM-41 and Fe-L₂Me-MCM-41 catalysts show higher activities and turnover numbers and exhibit enantiomeric excess comparable to the homogeneous catalysts, Ru-L₂(Me)₂ and Fe-L₂(Me)₂. Furthermore, Fe-L₂Me-MCM-41 and Fe-L₂(Me)₂ were also found active in the epoxidation of styrene. These results indicate that metal complexes are confined into the pore of the material which play a major role in the reaction.     

3D H-bonding networks self-assembly from pyridinium derivatives and bis(maleonitriledithiolato)zincate(II)

The two ion-pair complexes, [pyH]₂[Zn(mnt)₂] (1) and [4,4′-bipyH₂]-[Zn(mnt)₂] (2), were synthesized, where mnt²⁻ denotes maleonitriledithiolate, and [pyH]⁺, [4,4′-bipyH₂]²⁺ represent pyridinium and diprotonated 4,4′-bipyridinium, respectively. Their single crystal structures show that there are strong bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the cations of the pyridinium derivative and the [Zn(mnt)₂]²⁻ anions in both 1 and 2. The bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the N–H of the pyridiniums and the CN groups of the mnt²⁻ ligands give rise to a 2D layered H-bonding network, the adjacent layers come together in such way as mutual embrace to give a tight pack, thus 2D hydrogen-bonding sheets further develop into 3D H-bonding networks through weak C–HS and ππ stacking interactions in 1. As for 2, the cations and anions connect into several types of H-bonding macrorings ([2+2], [3+3] and [4+4]), these H-bonding macrorings fuse to extend into 2D layered structure, the interpenetration between [3+3] and [4+4] type H-bonding macrorings in the adjacent layers give further rise to novel 3D extended H-bonding networks, in which there are clearly parallel stacks of cations and the chelate rings of anions.     

Attachment of 4-methoxy benzyl units to a tripodal fluoroionophore shows reversal of output functionality with Cu(II) input

Syntheses of three tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine, tren based tripodal fluoroionophores (L₂, L₃, and L₅), are reported. These fluoroionophores are designed based on the fluorophore–spacer–receptor format (choice of fluorophore in all three cases is anthryl unit). In L₂, three anthracene moieties are attached to the three arms of tren via –CH₂-spacer whereas L₃ and L₅ have p-nitro benzyl and p-methoxy benzyl substitutions, respectively, on L₂, which are in close proximity to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) center. All three fluoroionophores show appreciably lower fluorescence compared to anthracene due to effective PET process in these systems but the quantum yield varies depending upon the nature of substitution at the PET center. In the cases of L₂ and L₅ different amounts of fluorescence recovery are observed in the presence of different cation inputs whereas L₃ is almost inactive toward cation sensing. Detailed fluorescence emission studies on L₂ and L₅ in the presence of different cation inputs showed that L₅ having N4 donor sets bearing three p-methoxy benzyl units attached to the three nitrogen centers involving photoinduced electron transfer process is a viable candidate for enhancement of fluorescence with Cu(II) input. In the absence of p-methoxy benzyl units at the nitrogen centers' resulting system, L₂ shows quenching of fluorescence with the Cu(II) under same experimental conditions.     

Dimethylaluminum and gallium amino alkoxides

An S,S′-thioether—thioester chelating ligand [7,8-μ-SCH₂C(O)S-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ (L₁), incorporating the unit [—(C)₂B₉H₁₀]⁻ has been synthesized. Reactions have been conducted with RhCl(PPh₃)₃ and PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ complexes in ethanol. With Rh, L₁ maintains its original cyclic nature and most probably chelation via thioether—thioester takes place. The carborane negative charge may stabilize this original thioether—thioester complex. The other two Rh positions are occupied by two PPh₃ ancillary ligands forming [Rh(L₁)(PPh₃)₂]. The reaction of L₁ with Pd induces ligand modifications and the cyclic nature of L₁ is lost. A transesterification process leading to a dianionic ligand L₂, [7-S-8-SCH₂C(O)OCH₂CH₃−7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]²⁻ has taken place. In this way L₂ is capable of compensating the dipositive Pd charge. The other two Pd positions are occupied by two PPh₃. This reaction has been extended to methanol and isopropanol solvents. The crystal structure of [Pd(L₂)(PPh₃)₂] has been determined.