An All‐Halogen Bonding Rotaxane for Selective Sensing of Halides in Aqueous Media

The synthesis and anion binding properties of the first rotaxane host system to bind and sense anions purely through halogen bonding, is described. Through a combination of polarized iodotriazole and iodotriazolium halogen bond donors, a three‐dimensional cavity is created for anion binding. This rotaxane incorporates a luminescent rhenium(I) bipyridyl metal sensor motif within the macrocycle component, thus enabling optical study of the anion binding properties. The rotaxane topology was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, demonstrating halogen bonding between the electrophilic iodine atoms and chloride anions. In 50 % H₂O/CH₃CN solvent mixtures the rotaxane host exhibits strong binding affinity and selectivity for chloride, bromide, and iodide over a range of oxoanions.     

Binding Selectivity of Macrocycle Ionophores in Ionic Liquids versus Aqueous Solution and Solvent‐free Conditions

The understanding of supramolecular recognition in room‐temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is key to develop the full potential of these materials. In this work, we provide insights into the selectivity of the binding of alkali metal cations by standard cyclodextrin and calixarene macrocycles in RTILs. A direct laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry approach is employed to determine the relative abundances of the inclusion complexes formed through competitive binding in RTIL solutions. The results are compared with the binding selectivities measured under solvent‐free conditions and in water/methanol solutions. Cyclodextrins and calixarenes in which the peripheral OH groups are substituted by bulkier side groups preferentially bind to Cs⁺. Such specific ionophoric behavior is substantially enhanced by solvation effects in the RTIL. This finding is rationalized with the aid of quantum mechanical calculations, in terms of the conformational features and steric interactions that drive the solvation of the inclusion complexes by the bulky RTIL counterions.     

Template‐Free Synthesis of a Molecular Solomon Link by Two‐Component Self‐Assembly

A molecular Solomon link was synthesized in high yield through the template‐free, coordination‐driven self‐assembly of a carbazole‐functionalized donor and a tetracene‐based dinuclear ruthenium(II) acceptor. The doubly interlocked topology was realized by a strategically chosen ligand which was capable of participating in multiple CH ??? π and π–π interactions, as evidenced from single‐crystal X‐ray analysis and computational studies. This method is the first example of a two‐component self‐assembly of a molecular Solomon link using a directional bonding approach. The donor alone was not responsible for the construction of the Solomon link, and was confirmed by its noncatenane self‐assemblies obtained with other similar ruthenium(II) acceptors.     

Identification of an Overlooked Halogen-Bond Synthon and Its Application in Designing Fluorescent Materials

Research on new supramolecular synthons facilitates the progress of materials design. Herein, the ability of sp² carbonyl oxygen atoms to act as halogen-bond acceptors was established through cocrystallization. Four sets of carbonyl compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, esters, and amides, were selected as halogen-bond acceptors. In the absence of strong hydrogen bonds, 14 out of 16 combinations of halogen-bond donors and acceptors could form cocrystals, whereby the supramolecular synthon C=O ⋅⋅⋅ X acts as the main interaction. Further, the geometric parameters of the C=O ⋅⋅⋅ X interaction were statistically revealed on the basis of the crystallographic database. The bifurcated interaction mode that has been observed in other halogen-bond synthons rarely occurs in the case of C=O ⋅⋅⋅ X. The robustness of C=O ⋅⋅⋅ X makes its application in crystal engineering possible and opens up new opportunities in designing multicomponent fluorescent materials, as indicated by multicolor emission of cocrystals D through C=O ⋅⋅⋅ X interactions.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Novel 1D Mercury（II） Iodide Coordination Polymer Containing 40-Membered Macrocycle

A mercury coordination polymer [Hg3(TizT)2I6]n (Mr = 1921.72, TizT = 2,4,6- tri(imidazole-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine) containing a 40-membered macrocycle which was constructed by four TizT ligands and four mercury(II) iodide molecules had been synthesized by the reaction of HgI2 with TizT. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR spectra and X-ray crystallography. The crystal of the complex belongs to the monoclinic system and C2/c space group with a = 35.840(5), b = 8.169(5), c = 14.980(5) , β = 104.466(5)°, Z = 4, V = 4247(3) 3, Dc = 3.006 g·cm-3, μ = 15.223 mm-1, F(000) = 3384, Rint = 0.0504, wR = 0.0833 and constructs a chair-like conformation of cyclohexane one by one, which forms a 1-D polymer through the fashion of fused ring aromatic hydrocarbon. The hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions shape the 2-D network structure. The two compounds excited weak fluorescence.     

Activation of a Metal‐Halogen Bond by Halogen Bonding

In recent years, the non‐covalent interaction of halogen bonding (XB) has found increasing application in organocatalysis. However, reports of the activation of metal‐ligand bonds by XB have so far been limited to a few reactions with elemental iodine or bromine. Herein, we present the activation of metal‐halogen bonds by two classes of inert halogen bond donors and the use of the resulting activated complexes in homogenous gold catalysis. The only recently explored class of iodolium derivatives were shown to be effective activators in two test reactions and their activity could be modulated by blocking of the Lewis acidic sites. Bis(benzimidazolium)‐based halogen bonding activators provided even more rapid conversion, while the non‐iodinated reference compound showed little activity. The role of halogen bonding in the activation of metal‐halogen bonds was further investigated by NMR experiments and DFT calculations, which support the mode of activation occurring via halogen bonding.     

Synthesis of a Triazaisotruxene-Based Porous Organic Polymer and Its Application in Iodine Capture

A new triazaisotruxene-based porous organic polymer (POP) was designed and successfully synthesized by a FeCl₃-promoted crosslinking reaction. As a result of its porosity and good thermal stability, the designed POP can be utilized as a promising adsorbent for iodine, not only in the gaseous phase, but also in organic and aqueous solutions. Compared to its triazatruxene (TN) analogue, the ITN-based POP shows equal iodine uptake in the gaseous phase and in hexane solution, and better uptake in aqueous solution.     

Terphen[n]arenes and Quaterphen[n]arenes (n=3–6): One‐Pot Synthesis,Self‐Assembly into Supramolecular Gels,and Iodine Capture

Herein, two new classes of macrocyclic compounds, terphen[n]arenes (TPns) (n=3–6) and quaterphen[n]arenes (QPns) (n=3–6), were designed and synthesized by a one‐step condensation reaction in relatively high yields. They comprise 2,2′′‐dimethoxy terphenyl and 2,2′′′‐dimethoxy quaterphenyl monomers, respectively, linked by methylene bridges. Given their long and rigid monomers, TPns and QPns have much larger cavities and better self‐assembly properties than classic macrocycles. More interestingly, the cyclic pentamers and hexamers TP5, TP6, QP5, and QP6 formed supramolecular organogels, which were composed of interwoven fibers, nanosheets, or entangled macropore networks formed by multiple face‐to‐face and edge‐to‐face π???π stacking interactions. The xerogel materials effectively captured volatile iodine, not only in aqueous media but also in the gaseous state, and could be recycled multiple times without obvious loss in performance.     

Efficient Construction and Structure Determination of Novel Macrocycles with Calixarene Bishydrazones

A series of large macrocyclic calixarene bishydrazones were efficiently synthesized by [2+2] condensation reactions of calix[4]arene 1,3‐disubstituted aldehydes with hydrated hydrazine. The X‐ray single crystal diffraction showed that macrocycles form a distinctive calixtube‐liking shape.     

Herringbone Infinite Networks Formed by Terpyridine and Haloperfluoroarene Modules

Abstract

4′-(4-Methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (1) self-assembles with dihaloperfluoroarenes (2). A chemo- and site-selective supramolecular synthesis occurs which preserves in the solid cocrystal the most stable s-trans, s-trans conformation of the pure terpyridine module. The single crystal X-ray structure of 3a, prepared from 1 and 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (2a) (monoclinic, a = 14.608(1), b = 13.276(1), c = 13.970(2) Å, β = 109.808(8)°, U = 2549.4 (4) ų, T = 291 (1) K, space group C2/c Z = 4; μ(Mo-Kα) = 2.519 mm^?1; d _calc.: 1.890 g cm^?3; 5748 reflections measured, 3715 unique (Rint = 0.024) which were used in all calculations; the final R and wR (F ²) were 0.043 and 0.069, respectively) shows the presence of infinite ribbons where the two modules alternate in a zigzag arrangement.     

Self-Sorting Supramolecular Polymerization: Helical and Lamellar Aggregates of Tetra-Bay-Acyloxy Perylene Bisimide

A new perylene bisimide (PBI), with a fluorescence quantum yield up to unity, self-assembles into two polymorphic supramolecular polymers. This PBI bears four solubilizing acyloxy substituents at the bay positions and is unsubstituted at the imide position, thereby allowing hydrogen-bond-directed self-assembly in nonpolar solvents. The formation of the polymorphs is controlled by the cooling rate of hot monomer solutions. They show distinctive absorption profiles and morphologies and can be isolated in different polymorphic liquid-crystalline states. The interchromophoric arrangement causing the spectral features was elucidated, revealing the formation of columnar and lamellar phases, which are formed by either homo- or heterochiral self-assembly, respectively, of the atropoenantiomeric PBIs. Kinetic studies reveal a narcissistic self-sorting process upon fast cooling, and that the transformation into the heterochiral (racemic) sheetlike self-assemblies proceeds by dissociation via the monomeric state.     

Self‐Sorting Supramolecular Polymerization: Helical and Lamellar Aggregates of Tetra‐Bay‐Acyloxy Perylene Bisimide

A new perylene bisimide (PBI), with a fluorescence quantum yield up to unity, self‐assembles into two polymorphic supramolecular polymers. This PBI bears four solubilizing acyloxy substituents at the bay positions and is unsubstituted at the imide position, thereby allowing hydrogen‐bond‐directed self‐assembly in nonpolar solvents. The formation of the polymorphs is controlled by the cooling rate of hot monomer solutions. They show distinctive absorption profiles and morphologies and can be isolated in different polymorphic liquid‐crystalline states. The interchromophoric arrangement causing the spectral features was elucidated, revealing the formation of columnar and lamellar phases, which are formed by either homo‐ or heterochiral self‐assembly, respectively, of the atropoenantiomeric PBIs. Kinetic studies reveal a narcissistic self‐sorting process upon fast cooling, and that the transformation into the heterochiral (racemic) sheetlike self‐assemblies proceeds by dissociation via the monomeric state.     

Self‐Assembly of a Highly Organized,Hexameric Supramolecular Architecture: Formation,Structure and Properties

Two derivatives, ³ L and ⁹ L , of a ditopic, multiply hydrogen‐bonding molecule, known for more than a decade, have been found, in the solid state as well as in solvents of low polarity at room temperature, to exist not as monomers, but to undergo a remarkable self‐assembly into a complex supramolecular species. The solid‐state molecular structure of ³ L , determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, revealed that it forms a highly organized hexameric entity ³ L ₆ with a capsular shape, resulting from the interlocking of two sets of three monomolecular components, linked through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The complicated ¹H NMR spectra observed in o‐dichlorobenzene (o‐DCB) for ³ L and ⁹ L are consistent with the presence of a hexamer of D₃ symmetry in both cases. DOSY measurements confirm the hexameric constitution in solution. In contrast, in a hydrogen‐bond‐disrupting solvent, such as DMSO, the ¹H NMR spectra are very simple and consistent with the presence of isolated monomers only. Extensive temperature‐dependent ¹H NMR studies in o‐DCB showed that the L ₆ species dissociated progressively into the monomeric unit on increasing th temperature, up to complete dissociation at about 90 °C. The coexistence of the hexamer and the monomer indicated that exchange was slow on the NMR timescale. Remarkably, no species other than hexamer and monomer were detected in the equilibrating mixtures. The relative amounts of each entity showed a reversible sigmoidal variation with temperature, indicating that the assembly proceeded with positive cooperativity. A full thermodynamic analysis has been applied to the data.     

Theoretical Study on the Dual Behavior of XeO3 and XeF4 toward Aromatic Rings: Lone Pair–π versus Aerogen–π Interactions

In this study, several lone pair–π and aerogen–π complexes between XeO₃ and XeF₄ and aromatic rings with different electronic natures (benzene, trifluorobenzene, and hexafluorobenzene) are optimized at the RI‐MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. All complexes are characterized as true minima by frequency analysis calculations. The donor/acceptor role of the ring in the complexes is analyzed using the natural bond orbital computational tool, showing a remarkable contribution of orbital interactions to the global stabilization of the aerogen–π complexes. Finally, Bader's AIM analysis of several complexes is performed to further characterize the lone pair–π and aerogen–π interactions.     

Using noncovalent intra-strand and inter-strand interactions to prescribe helix formation within a metallo-supramolecular system

The effect of inter-strand and intra-strand interactions is explored in a metallo-supramolecular system in which the metal-ligand coordination requirements may be satisfied by more than one different supramolecular architecture. This is achieved by introducing alkyl substituents onto the spacers of readily prepared bis(pyridylimine) ligands. The alkyl substituents induce twisting within the ligand strand and this intra-strand effect favours formation of helical architectures. The alkyl substituents also introduce inter-strand CH.pi interactions into the system. For the smaller methyl group these are most effectively accommodated in a trinuclear circular helicate architecture. A solution mixture of dinuclear double-helicate and trinuclear circular helicate results from which, for copper(I), the trinuclear circular helicate crystallises. The CH.pi interactions endow the circular helicate with a bowl-shaped conformation and the triangular unit aggregates into a tetrahedral ball-shaped array. Low-temperature NMR studies indicate that the CH.pi interactions also confer a bowl-shaped conformation on the triangle in solution. The larger ethyl groups can sustain intra-strand CH.pi interactions in the lower nuclearity double-helical system and this is the unique architecture for that ligand system in both solution and the solid state. Crystal structures are described for both the copper(I) and silver(I) complexes. Thus we show that intra-strand interactions may be used to induce helicity within this system, while the nuclearity of the array can be prescribed by the inter-strand interactions.     

Solid‐State Conformational Flexibility at Work: Zipping and Unzipping within a Cyclic Peptoid Single Crystal

A peptidomimetic compound undergoes a reversible single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation upon guest release/uptake with the transformation involving a drastic conformational change. The extensive and reversible alteration in the solid state is connected to the formation of an unprecedented “CH–π zipper” which can reversibly open and close (through the formation of CH–π interactions), thus allowing for guest sensing.     

Intramolecular Interactions of a Phenyl/Perfluorophenyl Pair in the Formation of Supramolecular Nanofibers and Hydrogels

A new system for the incorporation of a phenyl/perfluorophenyl pair in the structure of a peptide hydrogelator was developed. The strategy is based on the idea that the integration of an end‐capped perfluorophenyl group and a phenylalanine with a phenyl moiety in the side chain forms an intramolecular phenyl/perfluorophenyl pair, which can be used to promote the formation of the supramolecular nanofibers and hydrogels. This work illustrates the importance of structure‐hydrogelation relationship and provides new insights into the design of self‐assembly nanobiomaterials.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Macrocycle Based on Diethoxycarbonyl Glycoluril: C_(26)H_(30)N_6O_(10)

A new macrocycle based on diethoxycarbonyl glycoluril 3,C26H30N6O10,has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in monoclinic,space group P21/c with a = 12.7291（10）,b = 25.157（2）,c = 8.5489（7） A,β = 104.4760（10）°,V = 2650.7（4） A^3,Z = 4,C26H30N6O10,Mr = 586.56,F（000） = 1232,T = 292（2） K,Dc = 1.470 g/cm^3,μ = 0.115 mm^-1,the final R = 0.0590 and wR = 0.1299 for 4918 observed reflections with I 〉 2σ（I）. In the structure of the title compound,a three-dimensional microporous architecture is formed via intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions.