Intramolecular π–π stacking in diaquabis(2‐hydroxybenzoato‐κO)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)strontium(II)

In the title compound, [Sr(C₇H₅O₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)₂], the Sr^II ion is located on a twofold rotation axis and assumes a distorted square‐antiprism SrN₄O₄ coordination geometry, formed by two phenanthroline (phen) ligands, two 2‐hydroxybenzoate anions and two water molecules. Within the mononuclear complex molecule, intramolecular π–π stacking is observed between nearly parallel coordinated phen ligands, while normal intermolecular π–π stacking occurs between parallel phen ligands of adjacent complex molecules. Classic O—H...O and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonding helps to stabilize the crystal structure.     

An α‐{P2W18O62}6–‐Based Supramolecular Hybrid Inorganic‐Organic Compound with Visible Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Properties

The α‐[P₂W₁₈O₆₂]^6–‐based coordination polymer [Cu₂(phen)₃(H₂O)₃(P₂W₁₈O₆₂)][Cu(phen)₂(H₂O)] · 5H₂O ( 1 ) (phen = phenanthroline), was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, IR and UV/Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Structural studies reveal that compound 1 exhibits a three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure based on π–π and hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, visible light driven photocatalytic experiments of compound 1 were also studied.     

Hydrogen Bond and π–π Interactions in a 3D Supramolecular Structure Containing 1D Helical Chains

The reaction of 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐6, 6′‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bpdc) with zinc nitrate and different rare earth chlorides generates two novel three‐dimensional supramolecules Zn(6‐bpc)₂ · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and Ce(bpdc)₂ · H₂O ( 2 ) (6‐Hbpc = 2, 2′‐bipyridine‐6‐carboxylic acid). The left‐and right‐handed helical chains give rise to a 3D supramolecular framework through hydrogen‐bond and weak π–π interactions in complex 1 . Interestingly, the decarboxylation occurred and the bpdc ligand was transformed into 6‐bpc species under the hydrothermal reaction in the presence of Nd^III ions, while the decarboxylation did not occur when Ce^III ions were used. In the structure of 2 , one central Ce(IV) atom coordinates to two bpdc ligands, resulting in a discrete molecule. These discrete units are further extended into a 3D supramolecular structure through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions.     

Hydrogen‐bonding versusπ–π stacking interactions in dipyrido[f,h]quinoxaline‐6,7‐dicarbonitrile and 6,7‐dicyanodipyrido[f,h]quinoxalin‐1‐ium chloride dihydrate

The solvent‐free title compound, C₁₆H₆N₆, is an aromatic derivative of phenanthroline with an extended π system. It exhibits a remarkable π–π columnar stacking in the crystal structure, with interplanar distances of 3.229 (3) and 3.380 (3) Å, the shorter spacing being between the two molecules within the asymmetric unit. Adjacent units along the stacked arrays are rotated in‐plane with respect to one another by approximately 120°. The hydrochloride derivative, C₁₆H₇N₆⁺·Cl⁻·2H₂O, in which one of the phenanthroline N atoms has been protonated, crystallized as a dihydrate. The supramolecular organization in this compound is characterized by continuous hydrogen bonding between the component species, yielding two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded networks. This study demonstrates the high significance of the π–π stacking interactions in the solvent‐free aromatic system and how they can be undermined by introducing hydrogen‐bonding capacity into the ligand.     

Hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions in aquachloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)cobalt(II) chloride dichloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)cobalt(II) hexahydrate

The title compound, [CoCl(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)]Cl·[CoCl₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·6H₂O, is the first example of a new 1:1 cocrystal of the octahedral [CoCl₂(phen)₂] and [CoCl(phen)₂(H₂O)]⁺·Cl⁻ complexes (phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline). The latter form heterochiral dimers held by strong π–π stacking interactions via their phenathroline ligands, which confirms that π stacking is an important and reliable synthon in supramolecular design. In addition, the crystal structure is networked by H₂O...H₂O, H₂O...Cl⁻ and H₂O...Cl hydrogen bonds, which interconnect the different units of the cobalt complexes.     

Anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonate as Versatile Ligand for the Synthesis of Hydrogen‐Bonded Supramolecules

The reactions of anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonic acid disodium salt (Na₂a‐2,6‐dad) with Cu^II, Mn^II, and Zn^II with 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2′‐dipyridyl (bipy) under hydrothermal conditions formed two or three‐dimensional supramolecules of stoichiometries [Cu(a‐2,6‐dad)(phen)(H₂O)₃](H₂O)₄ ( 1 ), [Mn(a‐2,6‐dad)(bipy)₂(H₂O)](H₂O)₂ ( 2 ), and [Zn(a‐2,6‐dad)(bipy)₂(H₂O)](H₂O)₂ ( 3 ), which were synthesized and characterized. The arrangement around each metal atom is distorted octahedral. The ligands in all the compounds are engaged in intermolecular hydrogen bonding leading to the formation of hydrogen‐bonded networks, the compounds show novel π–π stacking interactions. Photoluminescence measurements indicate that the compound [Zn(a‐2,6‐dad)(bipy)₂(H₂O)](H₂O)₂ ( 3 ) shows strong blue luminescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

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.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking in hexa­aqua­iron(II) bis­(4′,7‐dimethoxy­isoflavone‐3′‐sulfonate) octa­hydrate

In the structure of the title compound, [Fe(H₂O)₆](C₁₇H₁₃O₇S)₂·8H₂O, 16 hydrogen bonds exist between the centrosymmetric [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cation, the isoflavone‐3′‐sulfonate anions and the coordinated and solvent water mol­ecules. π–π stacking inter­actions between the isoflavone units, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic inter­actions result in a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure.     

The heterometallic cadmium–silver complex cis‐bis[dicyanidoargentato(I)‐κN]bis(5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II) monohydrate

In the title complex, [Ag₂Cd(CN)₄(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)₂]·H₂O or cis‐[Cd{Ag(CN)₂}₂(5,5′‐dmbpy)₂]·H₂O, where 5,5′‐dmbpy is 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl, the asymmetric unit consists of a discrete neutral [Cd{Ag(CN)₂}₂(5,5′‐dmbpy)₂] unit and a solvent water molecule. The Cd^II cation is coordinated by two bidentate chelate 5,5′‐dmbpy ligands and two monodentate [Ag^I(CN)₂]⁻ anions, which are in a cis arrangement around the Cd^II cation, leading to an octahedral CdN₆ geometry. The overall structure is stabilized by a combination of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and Ag^I...Ag^I and π–π interactions, forming a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

catena‐Poly­[[aqua(2,2′‐bi­pyridine‐κ2N,N′)­manganese(II)]‐μ‐terephthalato‐κ3O,O′:O′′]

The title complex, [Mn(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)]_n, takes the form of a zigzag chain, with the terephthalate dianion (tp) acting as a tridentate ligand. The Mn^II center is surrounded by two tp ligands, one water mol­ecule and one 2,2′‐bi­pyridine (bipy) ligand and exhibits a severely distorted octahedral coordination environment, with cis angles ranging from 57.31 (8) to 123.97 (11)°. The complete solid‐state structure can be described as a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework stabilized by hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving the coordinated water mol­ecule and the carboxy O atoms of the tp ligands, and by π–π stacking interactions involving the bipy rings and the benzene ring of the tp ligand.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in 1‐benzofuran‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid and its 1:1 cocrystals with pyridine,phenazine and 1,4‐phenylenediamine

The structure of 1‐benzofuran‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (BFDC), C₁₀H₆O₅, (I), exhibits an intramolecular hydrogen bond between one –COOH group and the other, while the second carboxyl function is involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding to neighbouring species. The latter results in the formation of flat one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded chains in the crystal structure, which are π–π stacked along the normal to the plane of the molecular framework, forming a layered structure. 1:1 Cocrystallization of BFDC with pyridine, phenazine and 1,4‐phenylenediamine is associated with H‐atom transfer from BFDC to the base and charge‐assisted hydrogen bonding between the BFDC⁻ monoanion and the corresponding ammonium species, while preserving, in all cases, the intramolecular hydrogen bond between the carboxyl and carboxylate functions. The pyridinium 2‐carboxylato‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐carboxylic acid, C₅H₆N⁺·C₁₀H₅O₅⁻, (II), and phenazinium 3‐carboxylato‐1‐benzofuran‐2‐carboxylic acid, C₁₂H₉N₂⁺·C₁₀H₅O₅⁻, (III), adducts form discrete hydrogen‐bonded ion‐pair entities. In the corresponding crystal structures, the two components are arranged in either segregated or mixed π–π stacks, respectively. On the other hand, the structure of 4‐aminoanilinium 2‐carboxylato‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐carboxylic acid, C₆H₉N₂⁺·C₁₀H₅O₅⁻, (IV), exhibits an intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding network with three‐dimensional connectivity. Moreover, this fourth structure exhibits induction of supramolecular chirality by the extended hydrogen bonding, leading to a helical arrangement of the interacting moieties around 2₁ screw axes. The significance of this study is that it presents the first crystallographic characterization of pure BFDC, and manifestation of its cocrystallization with a variety of weakly basic amine molecules. It confirms the tendency of BFDC to preserve its intramolecular hydrogen bond and to prefer a monoanionic form in supramolecular association with other components. The aromaticity of the flat benzofuran residue plays an important role in directing either homo‐ or heteromolecular π–π stacking in the first three structures, while the occurrence of a chiral architecture directed by multiple hydrogen bonding is the dominant feature in the fourth.     

Structure determination of three furan‐substituted benzimidazoles and calculation of π–π and C—H...π interaction energies

The synthesis and structural characterization of 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole [C₁₆H₁₂N₂O₂, (I)], 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium chloride monohydrate [C₁₆H₁₃N₂O₂⁺·Cl⁻·H₂O, (II)] and the hydrobromide salt 5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium bromide [C₁₈H₁₇N₂O₂⁺·Br⁻, (III)] are described. Benzimidazole (I) displays two sets of aromatic interactions, each of which involves pairs of molecules in a head‐to‐tail arrangement. The first, denoted set (Ia), exhibits both intermolecular C—H...π interactions between the 2‐(furan‐2‐yl) (abbreviated as Fn) and 1‐(furan‐2‐ylmethyl) (abbreviated as MeFn) substituents, and π–π interactions involving the Fn substituents between inversion‐center‐related molecules. The second, denoted set (Ib), involves π–π interactions involving both the benzene ring (Bz) and the imidazole ring (Im) of benzimidazole. Hydrated salt (II) exhibits N—H...OH₂...Cl hydrogen bonding that results in chains of molecules parallel to the a axis. There is also a head‐to‐head aromatic stacking of the protonated benzimidazole cations in which the Bz and Im rings of one molecule interact with the Im and Fn rings of adjacent molecules in the chain. Salt (III) displays N—H...Br hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions involving inversion‐center‐related benzimidazole rings in a head‐to‐tail arrangement. In all of the π–π interactions observed, the interacting moieties are shifted with respect to each other along the major molecular axis. Basis set superposition energy‐corrected (counterpoise method) interaction energies were calculated for each interaction [DFT, M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d)] employing atomic coordinates obtained in the crystallographic analyses for heavy atoms and optimized H‐atom coordinates. The calculated interaction energies are −43.0, −39.8, −48.5, and −55.0 kJ mol⁻¹ for (Ia), (Ib), (II), and (III), respectively. For (Ia), the analysis was used to partition the interaction energies into the C—H...π and π–π components, which are 9.4 and 24.1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Energy‐minimized structures were used to determine the optimal interplanar spacing, the slip distance along the major molecular axis, and the slip distance along the minor molecular axis for 2‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole.     

μ‐4,4′‐Bipyridine‐κ2N:N′‐bis[triaqua(4,4′‐bipyridine‐κN)cadmium(II)] bis(3‐aminobenzoate) bis(perchlorate) dihydrate: a novel supramolecular system constructed by π–π and hydrogen‐bonding interactions

The title dicadmium compound, [Cd₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₅(H₂O)₆](C₇H₆NO₂)₂(ClO₄)₂·2H₂O, is located around an inversion centre. Each Cd^II centre is coordinated by three N atoms from three different 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands and three O atoms from three coordinating water molecules in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. In the dicadmium cation unit, one 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) molecule acts as a bidentate bridging ligand between two Cd metal ions, while the other four 4,4′‐bipy molecules act only as monodentate terminal ligands, resulting in a rare `H‐type' [Cd₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₅(H₂O)₆] host unit. These host units are connected to each other viaπ–π stacking interactions, giving rise to a three‐dimensional supramolecular grid network with large cavities. The 3‐aminobenzoate anions, perchlorate anions and water molecules are encapsulated in the cavities by numerous hydrogen‐bonding interactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a coordination compound based on both 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands together with discrete 3‐aminobenzoate anions.     

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.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking in 6‐hydroxy­biochanin A monohydrate

In the lattice of the title compound (systematic name: 5,6,7‐trihydroxy‐4′‐meth­oxy­isoflavone monohydrate), C₁₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O, the isoflavone mol­ecules are linked into chains through R₄³(17) motifs composed via O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Centrosymmetric R₄²(14) motifs assemble the chains into sheets. Hydrogen‐bonding and aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions lead to the formation of a three‐dimensional network structure.     

4,4′‐Methylenediphenol–4,4′‐bipyridine (2/3): decarboxylation of 5,5′‐methylenedisalicylic acid under hydrothermal conditions

Reaction of 5,5′‐methylenedisalicylic acid (5,5′‐H₄mdsa) with 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) and manganese(II) acetate under hydrothermal conditions led to the unexpected 2:3 binary cocrystal 4,4′‐methylenediphenol–4,4′‐bipyridine (2/3), C₁₃H₁₂O₂·1.5C₁₀H₈N₂ or (4,4′‐H₂dhdp)(4,4′‐bipy)_1.5, which is formed with a concomitant decarboxylation. The asymmetric unit contains one and a half 4,4′‐bipy molecules, one of which straddles a centre of inversion, and one 4,4′‐H₂dhdp molecule. O—H...N interactions between the hydroxy and pyridyl groups lead to a discrete ribbon motif with an unusual 2:3 stoichiometric ratio of strong hydrogen‐bonding donors and acceptors. One of the pyridyl N‐atom donors is not involved in hydrogen‐bond formation. Additional weak C—H...O interactions between 4,4′‐bipy and 4,4′‐H₂dhdp molecules complete a two‐dimensional bilayer supramolecular structure.     

Tetranuclear and One‐dimensional Cobalt Complexes with 5‐tert‐Butyl Isophthalic Acid and Chelating Neutral Ligands

Two new Co^II coordination polymers [Co₄(tbip)₄(bipy)₄(H₂O)₄] ( 1 ) and [Co(tbip)(phen)(H₂O)] · H₂O ( 2 ) (H₂tbip = 5‐tert‐butyl isophthalic acid, bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a tbip‐bridged tetranuclear cobalt(II) complex, which is further linked by hydrogen bonds to form a supramolecular network. Compound 2 shows a tbip‐bridged linear chain structure, which is extended by hydrogen bonds to generate a double chain. Magnetic measurements show that there are weak ferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co^II ions in 1 .     

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.     

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.     

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.