Controllable assembly of a three‐dimensional metal–organic supramolecular framework displaying hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions

The complex poly[[aqua(μ₂‐phthalato‐κ²O¹:O²){μ₃‐2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetato‐κ⁴N²,N³:O:O′}{μ₂‐2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetato‐κ³N²,N³:O}dizinc(II)] dihydrate], {[Zn₂(C₁₀H₈N₃O₂)₂(C₈H₄O₄)(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n, has been prepared by solvothermal reaction of 2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetonitrile (PPAN) with zinc(II). Under hydrothermal conditions, PPAN is hydrolyzed to 2‐[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]acetate (PPAA⁻). The structure determination reveals that the complex is a one‐dimensional double chain containing cationic [Zn₄(PPAA)₄]⁴⁺ structural units, which are further extended by bridging phthalate ligands. The one‐dimensional chains are extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions.     

π–π stacking motifs in dialkylbis{5‐[(E)‐2‐aryldiazen‐1‐yl]‐2‐hydroxybenzoato}tin(IV) complexes

The diorganotin(IV) complexes of 5‐[(E)‐2‐aryldiazen‐1‐yl]‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid are of interest because of their structural diversity in the crystalline state and their interesting biological activity. The structures of dimethylbis{2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)diazen‐1‐yl]benzoato}tin(IV), [Sn(CH₃)₂(C₁₄H₁₁N₂O₃)₂], and di‐n‐butylbis{2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐methylphenyl)diazen‐1‐yl]benzoato}tin(IV) benzene hemisolvate, [Sn(C₄H₉)₂(C₁₄H₁₁N₂O₃)₂]·0.5C₆H₆, exhibit the usual skew‐trapezoidal bipyramidal coordination geometry observed for related complexes of this class. Each structure has two independent molecules of the Sn^IV complex in the asymmetric unit. In the dimethyltin structure, intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds and a very weak Sn…O interaction link the independent molecules into dimers. The planar carboxylate ligands lend themselves to π–π stacking interactions and the diversity of supramolecular structural motifs formed by these interactions has been examined in detail for these two structures and four closely related analogues. While there are some recurring basic motifs amongst the observed stacking arrangements, such as dimers and step‐like chains, variations through longitudinal slipping and inversion of the direction of the overlay add complexity. The π–π stacking motifs in the two title complexes are combinations of some of those observed in the other structures and are the most complex of the structures examined.     

Three AgI,CuI and CdII coordination polymers based on the new asymmetrical ligand 2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole: syntheses,characterization and emission properties

The new asymmetrical organic ligand 2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( L , C₁₇H₁₃N₅O), containing pyridine and imidazole terminal groups, as well as potential oxdiazole coordination sites, was designed and synthesized. The coordination chemistry of L with soft Ag^I, Cu^I and Cd^II metal ions was investigated and three new coordination polymers (CPs), namely, catena‐poly[[silver(I)‐μ‐2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole] hexafluoridophosphate], {[Ag( L )]PF₆}_n, catena‐poly[[copper(I)‐di‐μ‐iodido‐copper(I)‐bis(μ‐2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)] 1,4‐dioxane monosolvate], {[Cu₂I₂( L )₂]·C₄H₈O₂}_n, and catena‐poly[[[dinitratocopper(II)]‐bis(μ‐2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)]–methanol–water (1/1/0.65)], {[Cd( L )₂(NO₃)₂]·2CH₄O·0.65H₂O}_n, were obtained. The experimental results show that ligand L coordinates easily with linear Ag^I, tetrahedral Cu^I and octahedral Cd^II metal atoms to form one‐dimensional polymeric structures. The intermediate oxadiazole ring does not participate in the coordination interactions with the metal ions. In all three CPs, weak π–π interactions between the nearly coplanar pyridine, oxadiazole and benzene rings play an important role in the packing of the polymeric chains.     

Ab initio study of the π–π interactions between CO2 and benzene,pyridine, and pyrrole

The π–π interactions between CO₂ and three aromatic molecules, namely benzene (C₆H₆), pyridine (C₅H₅N), and pyrrole (C₄H₅N), which represent common functional groups in metal‐organic/zeoliticimidazolate framework materials, were characterized using high‐level ab initio methods. The coupled‐cluster with single and double excitations and perturbative treatment of triple excitations (CCSD(T)) method with a complete basis set (CBS) was used to calibrate Hartree–Fock, density functional theory, and second‐order M?ller–Plesset (MP2) with resolution of the identity approximation calculations. Results at the MP2/def2‐QZVPP level showed the smallest deviations (only about 1 kJ/mol) compared with those at the CCSD(T)/CBS level of theory. The strength of π–π binding energies (BEs) followed the order C₄H₅N > C₆H₆ ～ C₅H₅N and was roughly correlated with the aromaticity and the charge transfer between CO₂ and aromatic molecule in clusters. Compared with hydrogen‐bond or electron donor–acceptor interactions observed during BE calculations at the MP2/def2‐QZVPP level of theory, π–π interactions significantly contribute to the total interactions between CO₂ and aromatic molecules. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

[2,5‐Bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐6‐yl)‐3,4‐diazahexa‐2,4‐diene]dichloridomanganese(II): from a mononuclear compound to a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework through C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions

The title compound, [MnCl₂(C₂₄H₂₀N₆)], has been synthesized and characterized based on the multifunctional ligand 2,5‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐6‐yl)‐3,4‐diazahexa‐2,4‐diene (L). The Mn^II centre is five‐coordinate with an approximately square‐pyramidal geometry. The L ligand acts as a tridendate chelating ligand. The mononuclear molecules are bridged into a one‐dimensional chain by two C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. These chains are assembled into a two‐dimensional layer through π–π stacking interactions between adjacent uncoordinated bipyridyl groups. Furthermore, a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework is attained through π–π stacking interactions between adjacent coordinated bipyridyl groups.     

Three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded framework structures in flunarizinium nicotinate and flunarizinediium bis(4‐toluenesulfonate) dihydrate

The structures of two salts of flunarizine, namely 1‐bis[(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl]‐4‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl]piperazine, C₂₆H₂₆F₂N₂, are reported. In flunarizinium nicotinate {systematic name: 4‐bis[(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl]‐1‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl]piperazin‐1‐ium pyridine‐3‐carboxylate}, C₂₆H₂₇F₂N₂⁺·C₆H₄NO₂⁻, (I), the two ionic components are linked by a short charge‐assisted N—H...O hydrogen bond. The ion pairs are linked into a three‐dimensional framework structure by three independent C—H...O hydrogen bonds, augmented by C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and an aromatic π–π stacking interaction. In flunarizinediium bis(4‐toluenesulfonate) dihydrate {systematic name: 1‐[bis(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl]‐4‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl]piperazine‐1,4‐diium bis(4‐methylbenzenesulfonate) dihydrate}, C₂₆H₂₈F₂N₂²⁺·2C₇H₇O₃S⁻·2H₂O, (II), one of the anions is disordered over two sites with occupancies of 0.832 (6) and 0.168 (6). The five independent components are linked into ribbons by two independent N—H...O hydrogen bonds and four independent O—H...O hydrogen bonds, and these ribbons are linked to form a three‐dimensional framework by two independent C—H...O hydrogen bonds, but C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking interactions are absent from the structure of (II). Comparisons are made with some related structures.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in the cocrystal salt [Fe(bpe)2(H2O)4](TCEP)2·2(bpe) [bpe is trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene and TCEP is 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide]

The cocrystal salt tetraaquabis[trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κN]iron(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide)–trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (1/2), [Fe(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)₂(H₂O)₄](C₉H₅N₄O)₂·2C₁₂H₁₀N₂, is a rare example of a mononuclear Fe^II compound with trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethane (bpe) ligands. The complex cation resides on a crystallographically imposed inversion center and exhibits a tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Both the symmetry‐independent bpe ligand and the cocrystallized bpe molecule are essentially planar. The 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide counter‐ion is nonplanar and the bond lengths are consistant with significant electron delocalization. The extended structure exhibits an extensive O—H…N hydrogen‐bonding network with layers of complex cations joined by the cocrystallized bpe. Both the coordinated and the cocrystallized bpe are involved in π–π interactions. Hirshfeld and fingerprint plots reveal the important intermolecular interactions. Density functional theory was used to estimate the strengths of the hydrogen‐bonding and π–π interactions, and suggest that the O—H…N hydrogen bonds enhance the strength of the π‐interactions by increasing the polarization of the pyridine rings.     

The peptide NCbz‐Val‐Tyr‐OMe and aromatic π–π interactions

The peptide N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐valyl‐L‐tyrosine methyl ester or NCbz‐Val‐Tyr‐OMe (where NCbz is N‐benzyloxycarbonyl and OMe indicates the methyl ester), C₂₃H₂₈N₂O₆, has an extended backbone conformation. The aromatic rings of the Tyr residue and the NCbz group are involved in various attractive intra‐ and intermolecular aromatic π–π interactions which stabilize the conformation and packing in the crystal structure, in addition to N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. The aromatic π–π interactions include parallel‐displaced, perpendicular T‐shaped, perpendicular L‐shaped and inclined orientations.     

A new one‐dimensional nickel metal–organic framework: catena‐poly[[[diaquabis(4‐{[(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoato‐κO)nickel(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′] monohydrate]

The title complex, {[Ni(C₁₅H₁₁N₄O₂S)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the reaction of nickel chloride, 4‐{[(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoic acid (HL) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy) under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two half Ni^II ions, each located on an inversion centre, two L⁻ ligands, one bpy ligand, two coordinated water molecules and one unligated water molecule. Each Ni^II centre is six‐coordinated by two monodentate carboxylate O atoms from two different L⁻ ligands, two pyridine N atoms from two different bpy ligands and two terminal water molecules, displaying a nearly ideal octahedral geometry. The Ni^II ions are bridged by 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands to afford a linear array, with an Ni...Ni separation of 11.361 (1) Å, which is further decorated by two monodentate L⁻ ligands trans to each other, resulting in a one‐dimensional fishbone‐like chain structure. These one‐dimensional fishbone‐like chains are further linked by O—H...O, O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The thermal stability of the title complex was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis.     

π–π Stacking‐Interlinked Molecular Squares with Hepta‐Coordinated Cadmium(II) Corners, [Cd(DMAP)3(NO2)2]·0.5H2O

The single crystal X‐ray analysis data of the new hepta‐coordinate cadmium(II) complex of N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(4‐pyridyl)amine (DMPA), [Cd(DMPA)₃(NO₂)₂]·0.5H₂O, shows that the coordination environment around the Cd^II is pentagonal bipyramidal. Furthermore, self‐assembly of this complex as molecular squares that interlink via π–π stacking interactions is observed. This network contains voids that are filled by water molecules.     

A copper(I) coordination polymer incorporation the corrosion inhibitor 1H‐benzotriazole: poly[μ3‐benzotriazolato‐κ3N1:N2:N3‐copper(I)]

The title complex, [Cu(C₆H₄N₃)]_n, was synthesized by the reaction of cupric nitrate, 1H‐benzotriazole (BTAH) and aqueous ammonia under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically independent Cu^I cations and two 1H‐benzotriazolate ligands. Two of the Cu^I cations, one with a linear two‐coordinated geometry and one with a four‐coordinated tetrahedral geometry, are located on sites with crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry. The third Cu^I cation, with a planar three‐coordinated geometry, is on a general position. Two Cu^I cations are doubly bridged by two BTA⁻ ligands to afford a noncentrosymmetric planar [Cu₂(BTA)₂] subunit, and two [Cu₂(BTA)₂] subunits are arranged in an antiparallel manner to form a centrosymmetric [Cu₂(BTA)₂]₂ secondary building unit (SBU). The SBUs are connected in a crosswise manner via the sharing of four‐coordinated Cu^I cations, Cu—N bonding and bridging by two‐coordinate Cu^I cations, resulting in a one‐dimensional chain along the c axis. These one‐dimensional chains are further linked by C—H...π and weak van der Waals interactions to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Two different one‐dimensional supramolecular chains formed from the reaction of 2‐[1‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl]quinoline with two different precursors,Co(NO3)2 and CoCl2

Two different one‐dimensional supramolecular chains with Co^II cations have been synthesized based on the semi‐rigid ligand 2‐[1‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl]quinoline (L), obtained by condensation of 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)quinoline and 4‐(chloromethyl)pyridine hydrochloride. Starting from different Co^II salts, two new compounds have been obtained, viz. catena‐poly[[[dinitratocobalt(II)]‐μ‐2‐[1‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl]quinoline] dichloromethane monosolvate acetonitrile monosolvate], {[Co(NO₃)₂(C₂₂H₁₆N₄)]·CH₂Cl₂·CH₃CN}_n, (I) and catena‐poly[[[dichloridocobalt(II)]‐μ‐2‐[1‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl]quinoline] methanol disolvate], {[CoCl₂(C₂₂H₁₆N₄)]·2CH₃OH}_n, (II). In (I), the Co^II centres lie in a distorted octahedral [CoN₃O₃] coordination environment. {Co(NO₃)₂L}_n units form one‐dimensional helical chains, where the L ligand has different directions of twist. The helical chains stack together via interchain π–π interactions to form a two‐dimensional sheet, and another type of π–π interaction further connects neighbouring sheets into a three‐dimensional framework with hexagonal channels, in which the acetonitrile molecules and disordered dichloromethane molecules are located. In (II), the Co^II centres lie in a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal [CoCl₂N₃] coordination environment. {CoCl₂L}_n units form one‐dimensional chains. The chains interact via C—H...π and C—H...Cl interactions. The result is that two‐dimensional sheets are generated, which are further linked into a three‐dimensional framework via interlayer C—H...Cl interactions. When viewed down the crystallographic b axis, the methanol solvent molecules are located in an orderly manner in wave‐like channels.     

Recognition Properties and Self‐assembly of Planar [M(2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole)2]2+ Metallo‐ligands

Molecular recognition continues to be an area of keen interest for supramolecular chemists. The investigated [M( L )₂]²⁺ metallo‐ligands (M=Pd^II, Pt^II, L =2‐(1‐(pyridine‐4‐methyl)‐1 H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine) form a planar cationic panel with vacant pyridyl binding sites. They interact with planar neutral aromatic guests through π–π and/or metallophilic interactions. In some cases, the metallo‐ligands also interacted in the solid state with Ag^I either through coordination to the pendant pyridyl arms, or through metal–metal interactions, forming coordination polymers. We have therefore developed a system that reliably recognises a planar electron‐rich guest in solution and in the solid state, and shows the potential to link the resultant host–guest adducts into extended solid‐state structures. The facile synthesis and ready functionalisation of 2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole ligands through copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” chemistry should allow for ready tuning of the electronic properties of adducts formed from these systems.     

A one‐dimensional silver(I) coordination polymer based on an asymmetric flexible N‐donor carboxylate ligand: catena‐poly[(μ3‐4‐{[(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoato‐κ3O:O′:N4)silver(I)]

The title compound, [Ag(C₁₅H₁₁N₄O₂S)]_n, was synthesized by the reaction of 4‐{[(1‐phenyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoic acid (Hptmba) with silver nitrate and triethylamine at room temperature. The asymmetric unit contains one crystallographically independent Ag^I cation and one ptmba⁻ ligand. Each Ag^I cation is tricoordinated by two carboxylate O atoms and one tetrazole N atom from three different ptmba⁻ ligands, displaying a distorted T‐shaped geometry. Three Ag^I cations are linked by tris‐monodentate bridging ptmba⁻ ligands to form a one‐dimensional double chain along the c axis, which is further consolidated by an intrachain π–π contact with an offset face‐to‐face distance of 4.176 (3) Å between the centroids of two adjacent aromatic rings in neighbouring benzoate groups. The one‐dimensional chains are linked into a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework by additional π–π interchain interactions, viz. of 3.753 (3) Å between two phenyl substituents of the tetrazole rings and of 4.326 (2) Å between a benzoate ring and a tetrazole ring. Thermogravimetric analysis and the fluorescence spectrum of the title compound reveal its good thermal stability and a strong green luminescence at room temperature.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Supramolecular Chemistry of Three Azide Manganese Complexes with 2, 6‐Bis(benzimidazol‐2‐yl)pyridine

Three azide complexes with the tridentate ligand 2, 6‐bis(benzimidazol‐2‐yl)pyridine (H₂BBIP) were synthesized and their complicated supramolecular interactions were investigated with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Interestingly, the complexes are assembled by bifurcated hydrogen bonding, double helical π–π stacking, or anion–π stacking interactions of the benzimidazole rings by tuning the reaction conditions (temperature, ratio, solvent). Complex 1 is a mononuclear compound, namely, Mn(H₂BBIP)N₃(CH₃O) · CH₃OH. In its 3D supramolecular network, the nitrogen atom of the azide anion is acting as hydrogen bonding bifurcated acceptor. Complex 2 is a dinuclear compound, namely, Mn₂(H₂BBIP)₂(N₃)₂ · (H₂O)_0.5. The dinuclear unit is connected by intramolecular π–π stacking interactions. Furthermore, double helical π–π stacking interactions in the benzimidazole rings are observed. Complex 3 , Mn₂(H₂BBIP)₂(N₃)₂ · CH₃OH, can be formulated as a pseudopolymorph of complex 2 , which exhibits intramolecular π–π stacking interactions as well as anion–π interactions in the dinuclear unit.     

Intramolecular π–π Interactions in Flexibly Linked Partially Fluorinated Bisarenes in the Gas Phase

Three compounds with phenyl and pentafluorophenyl rings bridged by (CH₂)₃ and (CH₂)₂SiMe₂ units were synthesized by hydrosilylation and C−C coupling reactions. Their solid‐state structures are dominated by intermolecular π stacking interactions, primarily leading to dimeric or chain‐type aggregates. Analysis of free molecules in the gas phase by electron diffraction revealed the most abundant conformer to be significantly stabilized by intramolecular π–π interactions. For the silicon compounds, structures characterized by σ–π interactions between methyl and pentafluorophenyl groups are second lowest in energy and cannot be excluded completely by the gas electron diffraction experiments. C₆H₅(CH₂)₃C₆F₅, in contrast, is present as a single conformer. The gas‐phase structures served as a reference for the evaluation of a series of (dispersion‐corrected) quantum‐chemical calculations.     

A two‐dimensional silver(I) coordination polymer constructed from 4‐aminophenylarsonate and triphenylphosphane: poly[[(μ3‐4‐aminophenylarsonato‐κ3N:O:O)(triphenylphosphane‐κP)silver(I)] monohydrate]

The title compound, {[Ag(C₆H₇AsNO₃)(C₁₈H₁₅P)]·H₂O}_n, has been synthesized from the reaction of 4‐aminophenylarsonic acid with silver nitrate, in aqueous ammonia, with the addition of triphenylphosphane (PPh₃). The Ag^I centre is four‐coordinated by one amino N atom, one PPh₃ P atom and two arsonate O atoms, forming a severely distorted [AgNPO₂] tetrahedron. Two Ag^I‐centred tetrahedra are held together to produce a dinuclear [Ag₂O₂N₂P₂] unit by sharing an O–O edge. 4‐Aminophenylarsonate (Hapa⁻) adopts a μ₃‐κ³N:O:O‐tridentate coordination mode connecting two dinuclear units, resulting in a neutral [Ag(Hapa)(PPh₃)]_n layer lying parallel to the (10) plane. The PPh₃ ligands are suspended on both sides of the [Ag(Hapa)(PPh₃)]_n layer, displaying up and down orientations. There is an R₂²(8) hydrogen‐bonded dimer involving two arsonate groups from two Hapa⁻ ligands related by a centre of inversion. Additionally, there are hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving the solvent water molecules and the arsonate and amine groups of the Hapa⁻ ligands, and weak π–π stacking interactions within the [Ag(Hapa)(PPh₃)]_n layer. These two‐dimensional layers are further assembled by weak van der Waals interactions to form the final architecture.     

π‐stacking and C—X...D (X = H,NO2; D = O, π) interactions in the crystal network of both C—H...N and π‐stacked dimers of 1,2‐bis(4‐bromophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole and 2‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole

Molecules of 1,2‐bis(4‐bromophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole, C₁₉H₁₂Br₂N₂, (I), and 2‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole, C₁₉H₁₂BrN₃O₂, (II), are arranged in dimeric units through C—H...N and parallel‐displaced π‐stacking interactions favoured by the appropriate disposition of N‐ and C‐bonded phenyl rings with respect to the mean benzimidazole plane. The molecular packing of the dimers of (I) and (II) arises by the concurrence of a diverse set of weak intermolecular C—X...D (X = H, NO₂; D = O, π) interactions.     

4,4′‐Bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium acetylenedicarboxylate: a new member of the (H2bipy)[Cu(ox)2] (bipy is 4,4′‐bipyridine and ox is oxalate) family

4,4′‐Bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium (H₂bipy) acetylenedicarboxylate, C₁₀H₁₂N₂²⁺·C₄O₄²⁻, (1), is a new member of a family of related structures with similar unit‐cell parameters. The structures in this family reported previously [Chen et al. (2012). CrystEngComm, 14 , 6400–6403] are (H₂bipy)[Cu(ox)₂] (ox is oxalate), (2), (H₂bipy)[NaH(ox)₂], (3), and (H₂bipy)[H₂(ox)₂], (4). Compound (1) has a one‐dimensional structure, in which H₂bipy²⁺ cations and acetylenedicarboxylate (ADC²⁻) anions are linked through a typical supramolecular synthon, i.e.R₂²(7), and form linear `–cation–anion–' ribbons. Through an array of nonclassical C—H...O hydrogen bonds, adjacent ribbons interact to give two‐dimensional sheets. These sheets stack to form a layered structure viaπ–π interactions between the H₂bipy²⁺ cations of neighbouring layers. The supramolecular isostructurality of compounds (1)–(4) is ascribed to the synergistic effect of multiple interactions in these structures. The balanced strong and weak intermolecular interactions stabilizing this structure type include strong charge‐assisted N—H...O hydrogen bonds, C—H...O contacts and π–π interactions.     

The role of π–π stacking and hydrogen‐bonding interactions in the assembly of a series of isostructural group IIB coordination compounds

The supramolecular chemistry of coordination compounds has become an important research domain of modern inorganic chemistry. Herein, six isostructural group IIB coordination compounds containing a 2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenol ligand, namely dichloridobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)zinc(II), [ZnCl₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 1 , diiodidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)zinc(II), [ZnI₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 2 , dibromidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)cadmium(II), [CdBr₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 3 , diiodidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)cadmium(II), [CdI₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 4 , dichloridobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)mercury(II), [HgCl₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 5 , and diiodidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)mercury(II), [HgI₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 6 , were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques. All six compounds exhibit an infinite one‐dimensional ladder in the solid state governed by the formation of hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions. The crystal structures of these compounds were studied using geometrical and Hirshfeld surface analyses. They have also been studied using M06‐2X/def2‐TZVP calculations and Bader's theory of `atoms in molecules'. The energies associated with the interactions, including the contribution of the different forces, have been evaluated. In general, the π–π stacking interactions are stronger than those reported for conventional π–π complexes, which is attributed to the influence of the metal coordination, which is stronger for Zn than either Cd or Hg. The results reported herein might be useful for understanding the solid‐state architecture of metal‐containing materials that contain M^IIX₂ subunits and aromatic organic ligands.