π‐Complexes of Copper(I) with Terminal Alkynes. Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [(HC≡CCH2NH3)(Cu2Br3)] π‐Complex

Crystals of the zwitterionic copper(I) π‐complex [(HC≡CCH₂NH₃)Cu₂Br₃] have been synthesized by interaction of CuBr with [HC≡CCH₂NH₃]Br in aqueous solution (pH < 1) and X‐ray studied. The crystals are monoclinic: space group P2₁/n, a = 6.722(4), b = 12.818(8), c = 9.907(3) Å, β = 100.25(4)°, V = 840.0(8) ų, Z = 4, R = 0.0592 for 3015 reflections. The crystal structure of the π‐complex contains isolated [(HC≡CCH₂NH₃)⁺(Cu₂Br₃)^?]₂ units which are incorporated into a framework by strong hydrogen N–H···Br and C≡C–H···Br bonds. The length of π‐coordinated propargylammonium C≡C bond is equal 1.216(8) Å and Cu(I)–(C≡C) distance equals 1.958(5) Å.     

Assembly of Three 2D Metal‐Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Derived from Flexible Ligands, 1,4‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene (3‐bpd) and/or 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane (dpe)

Three coordination polymers, {[Cd(3‐bpd)₂(NCS)₂]×C₂H₅OH}_n ( 1 ), {[Cd(3‐bpd)(dpe)(NO₃)₂]×(3‐bpd)}₂ ( 2 ), {[Cd(dpe)₂(NCS)₂]×3‐bpd×2H₂O}_n ( 3 ) (3‐bpd = 1,4‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene; dpe = 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane), were prepared and structurally characterized by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. In compound 1 , each Cd(II) ion is six‐coordinate bonded to six nitrogen atoms from four 3‐bpd and two NCS^? ligands. The 3‐bpd acts as a bridging ligand connecting the Cd(II) ion to generate a 2D layered metal‐organic framework (MOF) by using a rhomboidal‐grid as the basic building units with the 4⁴ topology. In compound 2 , the Cd(II) ion is also six‐coordinate bonded to four nitrogen atoms of two 3‐bpd, two dpe and two oxygen atoms of two NO₃^? ligands. The 3‐bpd and dpe ligands both adopt bis‐monodentate coordination mode connecting the Cd(II) ions to generate a 2D layered MOF by using a rectangle‐grid as the basic building units with the 4⁴ topology. In compound 3 , two crystallographically independent Cd(II) ions are both coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of dpe ligands in the basal plane and two nitrogen atom of NCS^? in the axial sites. The dpe acts as a bridging ligand to connect the Cd(II) ions forming a 2D interpenetrating MOFs by using a square‐grid as the basic unit with the 4⁴ topology. All of their 2D layered MOFs in compounds 1 ‐ 3 are then arranged in a parallel non‐interpenetrating ABAB—packing manner in 1 and 2 , and mutually interpenetrating manner in 3 , respectively, to extend their 3D supramolecular architectures with their 1D pores intercalated with solvent (ethanol in 1 or H₂O in 3 ) or free 3‐bpd molecules in 2 and 3 , respectively. The photoluminescence measurements of 1 ‐ 3 reveal that the emission is tentatively assigned to originate from π‐π* transition for 1 and 2 and probably due to ligand‐center luminescence for compounds 3 , respectively.     

2‐Imino‐3‐allyl‐benzothiazole as a π‐Ligand: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [(CuCl)C10H10SN2], [C10H11SN2+]2[Cu2Cl4]2−, and [C10H11SN2+]2[Cu2Br4]2− π‐Compounds

The reaction of 2‐amino‐benzothiazole with allyl bromide resulted in a mixture of 2‐imino‐3‐allyl‐benzothiazole and 2‐imino‐3‐allyl‐benzothiazolium bromide.Using such a mixture and copper(II) chloride in acetonitrile solution in alternating‐current electrochemical synthesis crystals of the [(CuCl)C₁₀H₁₀SN₂] ( I ) have been obtained. The same procedure, performed in ethanol solution, has led to formation of [C₁₀H₁₁SN₂⁺]₂[Cu₂Cl₄]^2? ( II ). In the same manner the bromine derivative [C₁₀H₁₁SN₂⁺]₂[Cu₂Br₄]^2? ( III ) has been synthesized. All three compounds were X‐ray structurally investigated. I :monoclinic space group P2₁/n, a = 13.789(6), b = 6.297(3), c = 13.830(6) Å, β = 112.975(4)°, V = 1105.6 (9) ų, Z = 4 for CuCl·C₁₀H₁₀ SN₂ composition. Compounds II and III are isomorphous and crystallize in triclinic space group. II a = 7.377(3), b = 8.506(3), c = 9.998(4) Å, α = 79.892(10)°, β = 82.704(13)°, γ = 78.206(12)°, V = 601.9(4) ų, Z = 1. III a = 7.329(2), b = 8.766(3), c = 10.265(3) Å, α = 79.253(9)°, β = 82.625(9)°, γ = 77.963(9)°, V = 630.9(3) ų, Z = 1. In the structure I [(CuCl)C₁₀H₁₀SN₂] building blocks are bound into infinitive spiral‐like chains via strong N‐H..Cl hydrogen bonds. In the zwitter‐ionic II and III compounds copper and halide atoms form centrosymmetric [Cu₂X₄]^2? anions, which are interconnected via N‐H..X hydrogen bonds into infinite butterfly‐like chains. The strongest Cu‐(C=C) π‐interaction has been observed in structure I , where copper possesses coordination number 3. Increasing copper coordination number to 4 in II as well as replacing chlorine atoms by bromine ones in III suppresses markedly this interaction.     

π‐Complexes of Copper(I) Ionic Salts: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (4‐Allylthiosemicarbazide)(sulfamato)copper(I) and Bis(4‐allylthiosemicarbazide)(sulfato‐O)dicopper(I)

Single crystals of [Cu(ATSC)]NH₂SO₃ ( 1 ) (ATSC –4‐allylthiosemicarbazide) were obtained by electrochemical synthesis using alternating current. Compound ( 1 ) crystallizes in P2₁2₁2₁ sp. gr., a = 6.8284(2), b = 9.3054(3), c = 16.1576(11) Å, Z = 4. ATSC moiety acts as tetradentate ligand, chelating two symmetrically related copper atoms. The Cu atom possesses trigonal pyramidal coordination, formed by two sulphur atoms (one of them at the apical position), nitrogen atom and C=C bond. Sulfamate anion is associated via hydrogen bonds. By slow hydrolysis of 1 crystals of [Cu₂(ATSC)₂]SO₄ ( 2 ) were obtained: P 1 sp. gr., a = 9.526(2), b = 12.687(2), c = 14.7340(10) Å, α = 95.119(10), β = 89.903(12), γ = 109.113(14)°, Z = 4. The asymmetric unit of 2 contains two formula units, which are related by pseudosymmetry via a glide plane a. One half of four ATSC molecules act as in 1 , the rest as tridentate ligands, which coordinate the two copper atoms in apical positions with sulfate anions. This Cu–S coordination was to date unknown. The structure of the ATSC ligands contributes to the unexpected competitiveness of C=bond in the coordination sphere of Cu^I inspite of strong donor atoms.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a [Mo8O26]4– Cluster Derivative with 4‐MePyH+. First β‐Octamolybdate Derivative with π–π Stacking

Dioxobis(pyridine‐2‐thiolate‐N, S)molybdenum(VI) (MoO₂(Py‐S)₂), reacts with of 4‐methylpyridine (4‐MePy) in acetonitrile, by slow diffusion, to afford the title compound. This has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray single crystal structure of the complex is described. Structural studies reveal that the molecular structure consists of a β‐Mo₈O₂₆ polyanion with eight MoO₆ distorted edge‐shared octahedra with short terminal Mo–O bonds (1.692–1.714 Å), bonds of intermediate length (1.887–1.999 Å) and long bonds (2.150–2.473 Å). Two different types of hydrogen bonds have been found: N–H···O (2.800–3.075 Å) and C–H···O (3.095–3.316 Å). The presence of π–π stacking interactions and strong hydrogen bonds are presumably responsible for the special disposition of the pyridinic rings around the polyanion cluster.     

[1‐Allylpyridinium][Cu2Cl3]: Synthesis,X‐ray Structure and the Regularity of Crystal Architecture of 1‐Allyl/(amino)‐pyridinium Copper(I) Chloride π‐Complexes

By alternating‐current electrochemical technique crystals of copper(I) π‐complex with 1‐allylpyridinium chloride of [C₅H₅N(C₃H₅)][Cu₂Cl₃] ( 1 ) composition have been obtained and structurally investigated. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group C2/c a = 24.035(1) Å, b = 11.4870(9) Å, c = 7.8170(5) Å, β = 95.010(5)°, V = 2150.0(2) ų (at 100 K), Z = 8, R = 0.028, for 4836 independent reflections. In the structure 1 trigonal‐pyramidal environment of π‐coordinated copper(I) atom is formed by a lengthened to 1.376(2) Å C=C bond of allyl group and by three chlorine atoms. Other two copper atoms are tetrahedrally surrounded by chlorine atoms only. The coordination polyhedra are combined into an original infinite (Cu₄Cl₆^2—)_n fragment. Structural comparison of 1 and the recently studied copper(I) chloride π‐complexes with 3‐amino‐, 2‐amino‐, 4‐amino‐1‐allylpyridinium chlorides of respective [LCu₂Cl₃] ( 2 ), [L₂Cu₂Cl₄] ( 3 ), and [LCuCl₂] ( 4 ) compositions allowed us to reveal the trend of the inorganic fragment complication which depends on pKa (base) value of the corresponding initial heterocycle.     

σ–π Continuum in Indole–Palladium(II) Complexes

The intrinsic features of (hetero‐arene)–metal interactions have been elusive mainly because the systematic structure analysis of non‐anchored hetero‐arene–metal complexes has been hampered by their labile nature. We report successful isolation and systematic structure analysis of a series of non‐anchored indole–palladium(II) complexes. It was revealed that there is a σ–π continuum for the indole–metal interaction, while it has been thought that the dominant coordination mode of indole to a metal center is the Wheland‐intermediate‐type σ‐mode in light of the seemingly strong electron‐donating ability of indole. Several factors which affect the σ‐ or π‐character of indole–metal interactions are discussed.     

Polymorphism of Copper(I) Halide π‐Complexes: Synthesis and Structure of a New Modification of [Cu2Cl2(CH2=CH–CH2)2O]

A new polymorph of [Cu₂Cl₂(CH₂=CH–CH₂)₂O] has been obtained by an alternating‐current electrochemical synthesis starting from CuCl₂ and triallylphosphite. Diallylether was obtained in statu nascendi via transetherification of triallylphosphite. The structure is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 7.6738(7), b = 6.5128(4), c = 18.2689(18) Å, β = 91.644(11)°, V = 912.67(13) ų (at 150 K), Z = 4; R₁ = 0.0339, wR₂ = 0.0822. Flexibility of the organic ligand and weak interactions copper···halogen have been identified as the main reasons enabling polymorphism in molecular π‐complexes of copper(I).     

Facile Fabrication of Solid‐state Electrochemiluminescence Sensor via Non‐covalent π‐π Stacking and Covalent Bonding on Graphite Electrode

Herein, a facile and efficient method was developed for fabrication of solid‐state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor via non‐covalent π‐π stacking and covalent bonding on the graphite electrode (GE) surface. The electrode was firstly modified with 1‐aminopyrene via π‐π stacking between GE surface and the pyrene moiety. Thereafter a stable and efficient solid‐state ECL sensor was fabricated by covalent immobilization of ruthenium(II) onto the GE surface via amidation reaction between the 1‐aminopyrene and bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl)(4‐methyl‐4′‐carboxypropyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) bishexafluorophosphate. The sensor has been investigated using tripropylamine and tetracycline as representative analytes, and low detection limits of 0.7 nM and 3.5 nM (S/N=3) were reached, respectively.     

The Bright Future of Unconventional σ/π‐Hole Interactions

Non‐covalent interactions play a crucial role in (supramolecular) chemistry and much of biology. Supramolecular forces can indeed determine the structure and function of a host–guest system. Many sensors, for example, rely on reversible bonding with the analyte. Natural machineries also often have a significant non‐covalent component (e.g. protein folding, recognition) and rational interference in such ‘living’ devices can have pharmacological implications. For the rational design/tweaking of supramolecular systems it is helpful to know what supramolecular synthons are available and to understand the forces that make these synthons stick to one another. In this review we focus on σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions. A σ‐ or π‐hole can be seen as positive electrostatic potential on unpopulated σ* or π⁽*⁾ orbitals, which are thus capable of interacting with some electron dense region. A σ‐hole is typically located along the vector of a covalent bond such as X?H or X?Hlg (X=any atom, Hlg=halogen), which are respectively known as hydrogen and halogen bond donors. Only recently it has become clear that σ‐holes can also be found along a covalent bond with chalcogen (X?Ch), pnictogen (X?Pn) and tetrel (X?Tr) atoms. Interactions with these synthons are named chalcogen, pnigtogen and tetrel interactions. A π‐hole is typically located perpendicular to the molecular framework of diatomic π‐systems such as carbonyls, or conjugated π‐systems such as hexafluorobenzene. Anion–π and lone‐pair–π interactions are examples of named π‐hole interactions between conjugated π‐systems and anions or lone‐pair electrons respectively. While the above nomenclature indicates the distinct chemical identity of the supramolecular synthon acting as Lewis acid, it is worth stressing that the underlying physics is very similar. This implies that interactions that are now not so well‐established might turn out to be equally useful as conventional hydrogen and halogen bonds. In summary, we describe the physical nature of σ‐ and π‐hole interactions, present a selection of inquiries that utilise σ‐ and π‐holes, and give an overview of analyses of structural databases (CSD/PDB) that demonstrate how prevalent these interactions already are in solid‐state structures.     

Copper(I) π‐Complexes with 2‐Butyne‐1,4‐diol. Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Na[CuCl2(HOCH2C≡CCH2OH)]·2H2O

Crystals of anionic Na[CuCl₂(HOCH₂C≡CCH₂OH)]·2H₂O π‐complex have been synthesized by interaction of 2‐butyne‐1,4‐diol with CuCl in a concentrated aqueous NaCl solution and characterized by X‐ray diffraction at 100 K. The crystals are triclinic: space group , a = 7.142(3), b = 7.703(3), c = 10.425(4) Å, α = 105.60(3), β = 99.49(3), γ = 110.43(3)°, V = 495.9(4) ų, Z = 2, R = 0.0203 for 3496 reflections. The structure is built of discrete [CuCl₂(HOCH₂C≡CCH₂OH)]^? anionic stacks and polymeric cations among the stacks. The Cu^I atom adopts trigonal planar coordination of two Cl^? anions and the C≡C bond of 2‐butyne‐1,4‐diol, Cu–(C≡C) distance is equal to 1.903(3) Å. Na⁺ cations environment is octahedral and consists of O and Cl atoms. The crystal packing is governed by strong hydrogen bonds of O–H···Cl and O–H···O types.     

Construction of Hetero‐Four‐Layered Tripalladium(II) Cyclophanes by Transannular π⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

A synthetic strategy for the generation of new molecular species utilizing a provision of nature is presented. Nano‐dimensional (23(2)×21(1)×16(1) ų) hetero‐four‐layered trimetallacyclophanes were constructed by proof‐of‐concept experiments that utilize a suitable combination of π???π interactions between the central aromatic rings, tailor‐made short/long spacer tridentate donors, and the combined helicity. The behavior of the unprecedented four‐layered metallacyclophane system offers a landmark in the development of new molecular systems.     

(E)‐3‐{4‐[(7‐Chloroquinolin‐4‐yl)oxy]‐3‐methoxyphenyl}‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one: a ladder‐like structure resulting solely from π–π stacking interactions

In the title compound, C₂₆H₂₀ClNO₃, the quinoline fragment is nearly orthogonal to the adjacent aryl ring, while the rest of the molecular skeleton is close to being planar. The crystal structure contains no hydrogen bonds of any sort, but there are two π–π stacking interactions present. One, involving the quinoline ring, links molecules related by inversion, while the other, involving the two nonfused aryl rings, links molecules related by translation, so together forming a ladder‐type arrangement     

The ability of Ex2Box4+ to interact with guests containing π‐electron‐rich and π‐electron‐poor moieties

The ability of Ex 2 Box⁴⁺ as a host, able to trap guests containing both π‐electron rich (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons‐PAHs) and π‐electron poor (quinoid‐ and nitro‐PAHs) moieties was investigated to shed light on the main factors that control the host–guest (HG) interaction. The nature of the HG interactions was elucidated by energy decomposition (EDA‐NOCV), noncovalent interaction (NCI), and magnetic response analyses. EDA‐NOCV reveals that dispersion contributions are the most significant to sustain the HG interaction, while electrostatic and orbital contributions are very tiny. In fact, no significant covalent character in the HG interactions was observed. The obtained results point strictly to NCIs, modulated by dispersion contributions. Regardless of whether the guests contain π‐electron‐rich or π‐electron‐poor moieties, and no significant charge‐transfer was observed. All in all, HG interactions between guests 3‐14 and host 2 are predominantly modulated by π‐π stacking.     

Phenylcarbamoylated β‐CD: π‐Acidic and π‐basic chiral selectors for HPLC

Two types of chiral stationary phases for HPLC based on π‐acidic or π‐basic perphenylcarbamoylated β‐CDs were synthesized. The relative structural features of the two effective chiral selectors are discussed and compared in both normal‐phase and RP modes. In addition, the nature and concentration of alcoholic modifiers were varied for optimal separation in normal phase and the structural variation of the analytes was also examined. The results showed that hydrogen bonding, steric effect and π‐acidic–π‐basic interaction contributed greatly to enantioseparation. Upon comparison, some of the differences in the separation behavior of the two types of chiral stationary phases might be due to the π‐acidic or π‐basic phenylcarbamate groups.     

Two Novel CuII Phenanthroline Adipato Complexes with π‐π Stacking Interactions: [Cu(phen)2(C6H8O4)] · 4.5 H2O and [(Cu2(phen)2Cl2)(C6H8O4)] · 4 H2O

The blue copper complex compounds [Cu(phen)₂(C₆H₈O₄)] · 4.5 H₂O ( 1 ) and [(Cu₂(phen)₂Cl₂)(C₆H₈O₄)] · 4 H₂O ( 2 ) were synthesized from CuCl₂, 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) and adipic acid in CH₃OH/H₂O solutions. [Cu(phen)₂‐ (C₆H₈O₄)] complexes and hydrogen bonded H₂O molecules form the crystal structure of ( 1 ) (P1 (no. 2), a = 10.086(2) Å, b = 11.470(2) Å, c = 16.523(3) Å, α = 99.80(1)°, β = 115.13(1)°, γ = 115.13(1)°, V = 1617.5(5) ų, Z = 2). The Cu atoms are square‐pyramidally coordinated by four N atoms of the phen ligands and one O atom of the adipate anion (d(Cu–O) = 1.989 Å, d(Cu–N) = 2.032–2.040 Å, axial d(Cu–N) = 2.235 Å). π‐π stacking interactions between phen ligands are responsible for the formation of supramolecular assemblies of [Cu(phen)₂(C₆H₈O₄)] complex molecules into 1 D chains along [111]. The crystal structure of ( 2 ) shows polymeric [(Cu₂(phen)₂Cl₂)(C₆H₈O₄)_2/2] chains (P1 (no. 2), a = 7.013(1) Å, b = 10.376(1) Å, c = 11.372(3) Å, α = 73.64(1)°, β = 78.15(2)°, γ = 81.44(1)°, V = 773.5(2) ų, Z = 1). The Cu atoms are fivefold coordinated by two Cl atoms, two N atoms of phen ligands and one O atom of the adipate anion, forming [CuCl₂N₂O] square pyramids with an axial Cl atom (d(Cu–O) = 1.958 Å, d(Cu–N) = 2.017–2.033 Å, d(Cu–Cl) = 2.281 Å; axial d(Cu–Cl) = 2.724 Å). Two square pyramids are condensed via the common Cl–Cl edge to centrosymmetric [Cu₂Cl₂N₄O₂] dimers, which are connected via the adipate anions to form the [(Cu₂(phen)₂Cl₂)(C₆H₈O₄)_2/2] chains. The supramolecular 3 D network results from π‐π stacking interactions between the chains. H₂O molecules are located in tunnels.     

A Zipper‐like Supramolecular Double‐Chain based on 1 D π‐π Stacking Interactions: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Cu(phen)(C4H4O4)(H2O)]2 · C4H6O4 (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline)

[Cu(C₁₂H₈N₂)(C₄H₄O₄)(H₂O)]₂ · C₄H₆O₄ was prepared by the reaction of succinic acid, CuCl₂ · 2 H₂O, 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen = C₁₂H₈N₂), and Na₂CO₃ in a CH₃OH–H₂O solution. The crystal structure (triclinic, P 1 (no. 2), a = 7.493(1), b = 9.758(1), c = 13.517(1) Å; α = 68.89(1)°, β = 88.89(1)°, γ = 73.32(1)°, Z = 1, R = 0.0308, wR² = 0.0799 for 3530 observed reflections (F ≥ 2σ(F ) out of 3946 unique reflections) consists of hydrogen bonded succinic acid molecules and succinato bridged 1 D zipperlike supramolecular [Cu(phen)(C₄H₄O₄)_2/2(H₂O)]₂ double chains based on 1 D π‐π stacking interactions between the chelating phen systems at distances of 3.71 Å and 3.79 Å. The Cu atoms are fivefold trigonal bipyramidally coordinated by two N atoms of the bidentate chelating phen ligand and three O atoms of one water molecule and two bidentate bridging succinate ligands. The water O atom and one phen N atom are at the apical positions (equatorial: d(Cu–O) = 1.945, 2.254(2) Å, d(Cu–N) = 2.034(2) Å; axial: d(Cu–O) = 1.971(2) Å, d(Cu–N) = 1.995 Å).     

Enhanced π‐Backdonation from Gold(I): Isolation of Original Carbonyl and Carbene Complexes

The specific electronic properties of bent o‐carborane diphosphine gold(I) fragments were exploited to obtain the first classical carbonyl complex of gold [(DPCb)AuCO]⁺ (ν(CO)=2143 cm^?1) and the diphenylcarbene complex [(DPCb)Au(CPh₂)]⁺, which is stabilized by the gold fragment rather than the carbene substituents. These two complexes were characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic means. The [(DPCb)Au]⁺ fragment plays a major role in their stability, as substantiated by DFT calculations. The bending induced by the diphosphine ligand substantially enhances π‐backdonation and thereby allows the isolation of carbonyl and carbene complexes featuring significant π‐bond character.