Herringbone and Helical Self‐Assembly of π‐Conjugated Molecules in the Solid State through CH/π Hydrogen Bonds

Self‐organization of organic molecules through weak noncovalent forces such as CH/π interactions and creation of large hierarchical supramolecular structures in the solid state are at the very early stage of research. The present study reports direct evidence for CH/π interaction driven hierarchical self‐assembly in π‐conjugated molecules based on custom‐designed oligophenylenevinylenes (OPVs) whose structures differ only in the number of carbon atoms in the tails. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures were resolved for these OPV synthons and the existence of long‐range multiple‐arm CH/π interactions was revealed in the crystal lattices. Alignment of these π‐conjugated OPVs in the solid state was found to be crucial in producing either right‐handed herringbone packing in the crystal or left‐handed helices in the liquid‐crystalline mesophase. Pitch‐ and roll‐angle displacements of OPV chromophores were determined to trace the effect of the molecular inclination on the ordering of hierarchical structures. Furthermore, circular dichroism studies on the OPVs were carried out in the aligned helical structures to prove the existence of molecular self‐assembly. Thus, the present strategy opens up new approaches in supramolecular chemistry based on weak CH/π hydrogen bonding, more specifically in π‐conjugated materials.     

Formation of a Hydrogen‐Bonded Heptazine Framework by Self‐Assembly of Melem into a Hexagonal Channel Structure

Self‐assembly of melem C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ in hot aqueous solution leads to the formation of hydrogen‐bonded, hexagonal rosettes of melem units surrounding infinite channels with a diameter of 8.9 Å. The channels are filled with strongly disordered water molecules, which are bound to the melem network through hydrogen bonds. Single‐crystals of melem hydrate C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ ? xH₂O (x≈2.3) were obtained by hydrothermal treatment of melem at 200 °C and the crystal structure (R $\bar 3$ c, a=2879.0(4), c=664.01(13) pm, V=4766.4(13)×10⁶ pm³, Z=18) was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. With respect to the structural similarity to the well‐known adduct between melamine and cyanuric acid, the composition of the obtained product was further analyzed by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Hydrolysis of melem to cyameluric acid during syntheses at elevated temperatures could thus be ruled out. DTA/TG studies revealed that, during heating of melem hydrate, water molecules can be removed from the channels of the structure to a large extent. The solvent‐free framework is stable up to 430 °C without transforming into the denser structure of anhydrous melem. Dehydrated melem hydrate was further characterized by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and sorption measurements to investigate structural changes induced by the removal of water from the channels. During dehydration, the hexagonal, layered arrangement of melem units is maintained whereas the formation of additional hydrogen bonds between melem entities requires the stacking mode of hexagonal layers to be altered. It is assumed that layers are shifted perpendicular to the direction of the channels, thereby making them inaccessible for guest molecules.     

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.     

Formation of One‐Dimensional Helical Columns and Excimerlike Excited States by Racemic Quinoxaline‐Fused [7]Carbohelicenes in the Crystal

A series of quinoxaline‐fused [7]carbohelicenes (HeQu derivatives) was designed and synthesized to evaluate their structural and photophysical properties in the crystal state. The quinoxaline units were expected to enhance the light‐emitting properties and to control the packing structures in the crystal. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties and excited‐state dynamics of these compounds were investigated in detail. The first oxidation potentials of HeQu derivatives are approximately the same as that of unsubstituted reference [7]carbohelicene (Heli), whereas their first reduction potentials are shifted to the positive by about 0.7 V. The steady‐state absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectra also became redshifted compared to those of Heli. The molecular orbitals and energy levels of the HOMO and LUMO states, calculated by DFT methods, support these trends. Moreover, the absolute fluorescence quantum yields of HeQu derivatives are about four times larger than that of Heli. The structural properties of the aggregated states were analyzed by single‐crystal analysis. Introduction of appropriate substituents (i.e., 4‐methoxyphenyl) in the HeQu unit enabled the construction of one‐dimensional helical columns of racemic HeQu derivatives in the crystal state. Helix formation is based on intracolumn π‐stacking between two neighboring [7]carbohelicenes and intercolumn CH ??? N interaction between a nitrogen atom of a quinoxaline unit and a hydrogen atom of a helicene unit. The time‐resolved fluorescence spectra of single crystals clearly showed an excimerlike delocalized excited state owing to the short distance between neighboring [7]carbohelicene units.     

The Versatile,Efficient, and Stereoselective Self‐Assembly of Transition‐Metal Helicates by Using Hydrogen‐Bonds

A diverse range of dinuclear double‐stranded helicates in which the ligand strand is built up by using hydrogen‐bonding has been synthesized. The helicates, formulated as [Co₂(L)₂(L‐H)₂X₂], readily self‐assemble from a mixture of a suitable pyridine–alcohol compound (L; for example, 6‐methylpyridine‐2‐methanol, 1 ), and a CoX₂ salt in the presence of base. Nine such helicates have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. For helicates derived from the same pyridine–alcohol precursor, a remarkable regularity was found for both the molecular structure and the crystal packing arrangements, regardless of the nature of the ancillary ligand (X). A notable exception was observed in the solid‐state structure of [Co₂( 1 )₂( 1 ‐H)₂(NCS)₂] for which intermolecular nonbonded contacts between the sulfur atoms (S???S=3.21 Å) lead to the formation of 1D chains. Helicates derived from (R)‐6‐methylpyridine‐2‐methanol ( 2 ) are soluble in solvents such as CH₃CN and CH₂Cl₂, and their self‐assembly could be monitored in solution by ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, and CD titrations. No intermediate complexes were observed to form in a significant concentration at any point throughout these titrations. The global thermodynamic stability constant of [Co₂( 2 )₂( 2 ‐H)₂(NO₃)₂] was calculated from spectrophotometric data to be logβ=8.9(8). The stereoisomerism of these helicates was studied in some detail and the self‐assembly process was found to be highly stereoselective. The chirality of the ligand precursors can control the absolute configuration of the metal centers and thus the overall helicity of the dinuclear assemblies. Furthermore, the enantiomers of rac‐6‐methylpyridine‐2‐methanol ( 3 ) undergo a self‐recognition process to form exclusively homochiral helicates in which the four pyridine–alcohol units possess the same chirality.     

One‐Pot Mechanosynthesis with Three Levels of Molecular Self‐Assembly: Coordination Bonds,Hydrogen Bonds and Host–Guest Inclusion

Liquid‐assisted grinding (LAG) was used to combine three levels of molecular self‐assembly into a one‐pot mechanochemical approach for the construction of metal–organic materials. The approach was applied for the construction of three adducts of cobalt(II) dibenzoylmethanate with isonicotinamide, nicotinamide and imidazole, to screen for their inclusion compounds. The one‐pot process consists of: i) The coordination‐driven binding of addends to the equatorially‐protected metal ion, resulting in “wheel‐and‐axle”‐shaped complexes; ii) self‐assembly of resulting complexes by way of hydrogen‐bonded synthons to form metal–organic inclusion hosts; iii) in situ inclusion of the grinding liquid in the resulting host. This approach provided quantitatively and within 20 min the known inclusion compounds of the bis(isonicotinamide) adduct in a single synthetic step. Changing the liquid phase in LAG was used to explore the inclusion behaviour of new wheel‐and‐axle adducts with nicotinamide and imidazole, revealing several inclusion compounds, as well as two polymorphs, of the bis(nicotinamide) host. Preliminary results suggest that one‐pot LAG is superior to solution synthesis in screening for metal–organic inclusion compounds. The difference between the methods is rationalised in terms of reactant solubility and solvent competition. In contrast to the nicotinamide adduct, the bis(imidazole) adduct did not form inclusion compounds. The difference in the inclusion properties of the two adducts is rationalised by structural information gathered by single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction.     

Multicomponent Supramolecular Systems: Self‐Organization in Coordination‐Driven Self‐Assembly

The self‐organization of multicomponent supramolecular systems involving a variety of two‐dimensional (2 D) polygons and three‐dimensional (3 D) cages is presented. Nine self‐organizing systems, SS₁ – SS₉ , have been studied. Each involves the simultaneous mixing of organoplatinum acceptors and pyridyl donors of varying geometry and their selective self‐assembly into three to four specific 2 D (rectangular, triangular, and rhomboid) and/or 3 D (triangular prism and distorted and nondistorted trigonal bipyramidal) supramolecules. The formation of these discrete structures is characterized using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). In all cases, the self‐organization process is directed by: 1) the geometric information encoded within the molecular subunits and 2) a thermodynamically driven dynamic self‐correction process. The result is the selective self‐assembly of multiple discrete products from a randomly formed complex. The influence of key experimental variables ‐ temperature and solvent ‐ on the self‐correction process and the fidelity of the resulting self‐organization systems is also described.     

The Tris‐Urea Motif and Its Incorporation into Polydimethylsiloxane‐Based Supramolecular Materials Presenting Self‐Healing Features

Materials of supramolecular nature have attracted much attention owing to their interesting features, such as self‐reparability and material robustness, that are imparted by noncovalent interactions to synthetic materials. Among the various structures and synthetic methodologies that may be considered for this purpose, the introduction of extensive arrays of multiple hydrogen bonds allows for the formation of supramolecular materials that may, in principle, present self‐healing behavior. Hydrogen bonded networks implement dynamic noncovalent interactions. Suitable selection of structural units gives access to novel dynamic self‐repairing materials by incrementing the number of hydrogen‐bonding sites present within a molecular framework. Herein, we describe the formation of a tris‐urea based motif giving access to six hydrogen‐bonding sites, easily accessible through reaction of carbohydrazide with an isocyanate derivative. Extension towards the synthesis of multiply hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular materials has been achieved by polycondensation of carbohydrazide with a bis‐isocyanate component derived from poly‐dimethylsiloxane chains. Such materials underwent self‐repair at a mechanically cut surface. This approach gives access to a broad spectrum of materials of varying flexibility by appropriate selection of the bis‐isocyanate component that forms the polymer backbone.     

Synthesis and Self‐Association of Double‐Helical AADD Arrays

The design and syntheses of four self‐complementary oligomers that contain an underlying AADD hydrogen bond sequence are presented, and their self‐association was examined in the solution and solid state. The molecular recognition between the two strands is highly sensitive to substitutions of their component heterocycles. Substitution with electron‐donating and ‐withdrawing groups and the influence of preorganization has a large effect on the overall stabilities of the complexes studied. In particular, a wide range (>10⁵ M ^?1) of stabilities with respect to substitutions at various positions in the AADD oligomers was demonstrated. In the most extreme case, the dimerization constant measured (K_dimer≥4.5×10⁷ M ^?1) is comparable to the most stable homodimers of neutral AADD arrays reported to date.     

Orthogonally Self‐Assembled Multifunctional Block Copolymers

We report the synthesis of telechelic poly(norbornene) and poly(cyclooctene) homopolymers by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and their subsequent functionalization and block copolymer formation based on noncovalent interactions. Whereas all the poly(norbornene)s contain either a metal complex or a hydrogen‐bonding moiety along the polymer side‐chains, together with a single hydrogen‐bonding‐based molecular recognition moiety at one terminal end of the polymer chain. These homopolymers allow for the formation of side‐chain‐functionalized AB and ABA block copolymers through self‐assembly. The orthogonal natures of all side‐ and main‐chain self‐assembly events were demonstrated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. The resulting fully functionalized block copolymers are the first copolymers combining both side‐ and main‐chain self‐assembly, thereby providing a high degree of control over copolymer functionalization and architecture and bringing synthetic materials one step closer to the dynamic self‐assembly structures found in nature.     

Spontaneous Stepwise Self‐Assembly of a Polyoxometalate–Organic Hybrid into Catalytically Active One‐Dimensional Anisotropic Structures

An inorganic–organic hybrid surfactant with a hexavanadate cluster as the polar head group was designed and observed to assemble into micelle structures, which further spontaneously coagulate into a 1D anisotropic structure in aqueous solutions. Such a hierarchical self‐assembly process is driven by the cooperation of varied noncovalent interactions, including hydrophobic, electrostatic, and hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The hydrophobic interaction drives the quick formation of the micelle structure; electrostatic interactions involving counterions leads to the further coagulation of the micelles into larger assemblies. This process is similar to the crystallization process, but the specific counterions and the directional hydrogen bonding lead to the 1D growth of the final assemblies. Since most of the hexavanadates are exposed to the surface, the 1D assembly with nanoscale thickness is a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of organic sulfides with appreciable recyclability.     

Self‐Assembly of Tyrosine into Controlled Supramolecular Nanostructures

In the context of designing novel amino acid nanostructures, the capacity of tyrosine alone to form well‐ordered structures under different conditions was explored. It was observed that Tyr can self‐assemble into well‐defined morphologies when deposited onto surfaces for transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of various parameters that can modulate the self‐assembly process, including concentration of the amino acid, aging time, and solvent, was studied. Different supramolecular architectures, including nanoribbons, branched structures, and fern‐like arrangements were also observed.     

Hydrogen Bonding Directed Supramolecular Polymerisation of Oligo(Phenylene‐Ethynylene)s: Cooperative Mechanism,Core Symmetry Effect and Chiral Amplification

The design of supramolecular motifs with tuneable stability and adjustable supramolecular polymerisation mechanisms is of crucial importance to precisely control the properties of supramolecular assemblies. This report focuses on constructing π‐conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)‐based one‐dimensional helical supramolecular polymers that show a cooperative growth mechanism. Thus, a novel set of discotic molecules comprising a rigid OPE core, three amide groups, and peripheral solubilising wedge groups featuring C₃ and C₂ core symmetry was designed and synthesised. All of the discotic molecules are crystalline compounds and lack a columnar mesophase in the solid state. In dilute methylcyclohexane solution, one‐dimensional supramolecular polymers are formed stabilised by threefold intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions, as evidenced by ¹H NMR measurements. Small‐angle X‐ray and light scattering measurements reveal significant size differences between the columnar aggregates of C₃‐ and C₂‐symmetrical discotics, that is, the core symmetry strongly influences the nature of the supramolecular polymerisation process. Temperature‐dependent CD measurements show a highly cooperative polymerisation process for the C₃‐symmetrical discotics. In contrast, the self‐assembly of C₂‐symmetrical discotics shows a smaller enthalpy release upon aggregation and decreased cooperativity. In all cases, the peripheral stereogenic centres induce a preferred handedness in the columnar helical aggregates. Moreover, one stereogenic centre suffices to fully bias the helicity in the C₂‐symmetrical discotics. Finally, chiral amplification studies with the C₃‐symmetrical discotics were performed by mixing chiral and achiral discotics (sergeants‐and‐soldiers experiment) and discotics of opposite chirality (majority‐rules experiment). The results demonstrate a very strong sergeants‐and‐soldiers effect and a rather weak majority‐rules effect.     

Interplay between H‐Bonding and Alkyl‐Chain Ordering in Self‐Assembly of Monodendritic L‐Alanine Derivatives

This paper reports on the synthesis and self‐organizing properties of monodendrons consisting of L ‐alanine at the focal point and alkyl chains with different length at the periphery. The structures of thin films and monolayers are studied by temperature‐resolved grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction and scanning force microscopy. The interplay between H‐bonding and ordering of the alkyl chains results in a rich temperature‐dependent phase behavior. The monodendrons form H‐bonded stabilized clusters with the number of molecules depending on the length of the aliphatic chains and temperature. The clusters play the role of constitutive units in the subsequent self‐assembly. Short alkyl chains allow the material to form thermodynamically stable crystalline phases. The molecules with longer side groups exhibit additional transitions from the crystalline phase to thermotropic columnar hexagonal or columnar rectangular liquid‐crystalline phases. In monolayers deposited on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, the materials show ordering similar to thin films. However, for the compound bearing hexadecyl chains the affinity of the alkyl groups to graphite dominates the self‐assembly and thereby allows epitaxial growth of a 2D lattice with flat‐on oriented molecules.     

Breaking the Odd–Even Effect in the Self‐Assembly of Linear Bis(benzamides)

The twisting of supramolecular aggregates formed from simple linear bis(benzamides) has been investigated. The antiparallel arrangement of the amide functional groups controls the generation of twisted supramolecular structures. The results presented herein could contribute to elaborate predictive tools applicable in the generation of chiral supramolecular structures.     

Redox‐Controlled Helical Self‐Assembly of a Polyoxometalate Complex

Polyoxometalate (POM) complex (DODA)₂[Mo₆O₁₉] with a symmetrical linear structure was prepared conveniently by replacing the tetrabutylammonium (TBA) counterions of Lindquist‐type cluster (TBA)₂[Mo₆O₁₉] with cationic surfactant dioctadecyldimethylammonium (DODA). A helical self‐assembled structure of the complex was formed in dichloromethane/propanol. The dynamically reversible transformation between helical and spherical assemblies on alternate UV irradiation and H₂O₂ oxidation was characterized by SEM, TEM, and UV/Vis studies. The redox‐controlled morphology change is modulated by variation of the electrostatic interactions between the inorganic polyanion and the organic cation DODA through controlling the redox properties of the POM component, as shown by the XRD, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic, and ¹H NMR measurements. The strategy applied herein is a unique example of targeted smart and helical assembly of POM complexes.     

Highly Sensitive Magnetic Effects Induced by Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions in a High‐Spin Metallosupramolecular Fe4II [2×2] Grid‐Type Complex

A sensitive magnetic nanoprobe : Hydrogen‐bonding interactions are reflected with great sensitivity in the ¹H NMR spectra of a high‐spin multinuclear Fe₄^II [2×2] grid‐type complex (see scheme) and the measured shifts can be used to evaluate the hydrogen‐bond donating ability. The grid complex also represents a prototype of a very sensitive magnetic nanoreceptor for the detection of very small changes around a magnetic center.