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 comparative experimental and theoretical investigation of hydrogen‐bond,halogen‐bond and π–π interactions in the solid‐state supramolecular assembly of 2‐ and 4‐formylphenyl arylsulfonates

To explore the operational role of noncovalent interactions in supramolecular architectures with designed topologies, a series of solid‐state structures of 2‐ and 4‐formylphenyl 4‐substituted benzenesulfonates was investigated. The compounds are 2‐formylphenyl 4‐methylbenzenesulfonate, C₁₄H₁₂O₄S, 3a , 2‐formylphenyl 4‐chlorobenzenesulfonate, C₁₃H₉ClO₄S, 3b , 2‐formylphenyl 4‐bromobenzenesulfonate, C₁₃H₉BrO₄S, 3c , 4‐formylphenyl 4‐methylbenzenesulfonate, C₁₄H₁₂O₄S, 4a , 4‐formylphenyl 4‐chlorobenzenesulfonate, 4b , C₁₃H₉ClO₄S, and 4‐formylphenyl 4‐bromobenzenesulfonate, C₁₃H₉BrO₄S, 4c . The title compounds were synthesized under basic conditions from salicylaldehyde/4‐hydroxybenzaldehydes and various aryl sulfonyl chlorides. Remarkably, halogen‐bonding interactions are found to be important to rationalize the solid‐state crystal structures. In particular, the formation of O…X (X = Cl and Br) and type I X…X halogen‐bonding interactions have been analyzed by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and characterized using Bader's theory of `atoms in molecules' and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, confirming the relevance and stabilizing nature of these interactions. They have been compared to antiparallel π‐stacking interactions that are formed between the arylsulfonates.     

Ring Size Effects on Multi‐Stimuli Responsive Luminescent Properties of Cyclic Amine Substituted β‐Diketones and Difluoroboron Complexes

Emissive β‐diketones (bdks) and difluoroboron complexes (BF₂bdks) show multi‐stimuli responsive luminescence in both solution and the solid state. A series of bdk ligands and boron coordinated dyes were synthesized with different cyclic amine substituents in the 4‐position to explore ring size effects on various luminescent properties, including solvatochromism, viscochromism, aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), mechanochromic luminescence (ML) and halochromism. Red‐shifted absorption and emission were observed in CH₂Cl₂ for both bdk ligands and boron dyes with increasing substituent ring size. The compounds displayed bathochromic emission in more polar solvents, and higher fluorescence intensity in more viscous media. The AIE compounds exhibited enhanced emission when aggregated. For solid‐state properties, a large emission wavelength shift was shown for the piperidine substituted bdk after melt quenching on weighing paper. Large blue‐shifted emissions were observed in all the boron dye spin cast films after trifluoroacetic acid vapor annealing, and the original emissions were partially recovered after triethylamine vapor treatment.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Properties of Two Novel Supramolecular Architectures Constructed from [2,3‐f]Pyrazino[1,10]phenanthroline‐2,3‐dicarboxylic Acid

Two new compounds, [Ag(Hppdb)]_n ( 1 ) and {[Ag₂(Hppdb)₂(bpe)] · 5.5H₂O}_n( 2 ) [H₂ppdb = [2,3‐f]pyrazino[1,10]phenanthroline‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, bpe = trans‐1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene], were synthesized and characterized. In 1 , Hppdb^– ions link Ag^I cations to form an infinite 1D [–Ag–(Hppdb)–Ag–]_n chain, furthermore, the dimensionality is extended to 2D layers through synergistic π–π stacking, hydrogen‐bonding and weak Ag ··· O interactions. Correspondingly, the dimeric [(Ag)(Hppdb)]₂ subunits in 2 are connected by bpe ligands to generate a loop‐link‐shaped 1D chain motif, which is further joined through a R₂²(18)C–H ··· O hydrogen‐bonding ring to afford interesting diagonal/diagonal inclined catenation 2D + 2D → 3D supramolecular architectures. In addition, solid‐state properties such as photoluminescence and thermal stability of the two compounds were studied.     

Diboryldiborenes: π‐Conjugated B4 Chains Isoelectronic to the Butadiene Dication

B(sp²)–B(sp³) diborane species based on bis(catecholato)diboron and N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) underwent catechol/bromide exchange selectively at the sp³‐hybridized boron atom. The reduction of the resulting 1,1‐dibromodiborane adducts led to reductive coupling and isolation of doubly NHC‐stabilized 1,2‐diboryldiborenes. These compounds are the first examples of molecules exhibiting π‐electron delocalization over an all‐boron chain.     

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.     

Dissecting the concave–convex π‐π interaction in corannulene and sumanene dimers: SAPT(DFT) analysis and performance of DFT dispersion‐corrected methods

The characteristics of the concave–convex π‐π interactions are evaluated in 32 buckybowl dimers formed by corannulene, sumanene, and two substituted sumanenes (with S and CO groups), using symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory [SAPT(DFT)] and density functional theory (DFT). According to our results, the main stabilizing contribution is dispersion, followed by electrostatics. Regarding the ability of DFT methods to reproduce the results obtained with the most expensive and rigorous methods, TPSS‐D seems to be the best option overall, although its results slightly tend to underestimate the interaction energies and to overestimate the equilibrium distances. The other two tested DFT‐D methods, B97‐D2 and B3LYP‐D, supply rather reasonable results as well. M06‐2X, although it is a good option from a geometrical point of view, leads to too weak interactions, with differences with respect to the reference values amounting to about 4 kcal/mol (25% of the total interaction energy). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of diorganotin(IV) complexes of Schiff bases with ONO‐type donors and crystal structure of [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐ethoxysalicylideneiminato]diphenyltin(IV)

A series of neutral complexes, namely, [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐hydroxysalicylideneiminato]‐ diphenyltin(IV) ( Ia ), [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐methoxysalicylideneiminato]diphenyltin(IV) ( IIa ) and [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐ethoxysalicylideneiminato]diphenyltin(IV) ( IIIa ) were prepared by the reaction of diphenyltin dichloride on the corresponding Schiff bases. The Schiff bases were the reaction products of 2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitroaniline and appropriate salicylaldehydes. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Compound IIIa was also characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and shows a C₂NO₂ coordination geometry nearly half‐way between a trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal arrangement. In the solid state, π? π interactions exist between the aniline fragments of neighbouring molecules. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energetic N‐Nitramino/N‐Oxyl‐Functionalized Pyrazoles with Versatile π–π Stacking: Structure–Property Relationships of High‐Performance Energetic Materials

N‐Nitramino/N‐oxyl functionalization strategies were employed to investigate structure–property relationships of energetic materials. Based on single‐crystal diffraction data, π–π stacking of pyrazole backbones can be tailored effectively by energetic functionalities, thereby resulting in diversified energetic compounds. Among them, hydroxylammonium 4‐amino‐3,5‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐olate and dipotassium N,N′‐(3,5‐dinitro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1,4‐diyl)dinitramidate, with unique face‐to‐face π–π stacking, can be potentially used as a high‐performance explosive and an energetic oxidizer, respectively.     

Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexes of the 3‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDPT) Ligand,Structural Studies of [Zn(PDPT)2Cl(ClO4)] and [Cd(PDPT)2(NO3)(ClO4)]

Two new mixed‐anion zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of 3‐(2‐pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDPT) ligand, [Zn(PDPT)₂Cl(ClO₄)] and [Cd(PDPT)₂(NO₃)(ClO₄)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR‐ and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X‐ray analyses show that the coordination number in these complexes is six with four N‐donor atoms from two “PDPT” ligand and two of the anionic ligands, ZnN₄ClO_perchlorate, CdN₄O_nitrateO_perchlorate. Self‐assembly of these compounds in the solid state via π–π‐stacking interactions is discussed.     

Supramolecular hydrogen‐bonding patterns in the organic–inorganic hybrid compound bis(4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidinium) tetrathiocyanatozinc(II)–4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidine–water (1/2/2)

Zinc thiocyanate complexes have been found to be biologically active compounds. Zinc is also an essential element for the normal function of most organisms and is the main constituent in a number of metalloenzyme proteins. Pyrimidine and aminopyrimidine derivatives are biologically very important as they are components of nucleic acids. Thiocyanate ions can bridge metal ions by employing both their N and S atoms for coordination. They can play an important role in assembling different coordination structures and yield an interesting variety of one‐, two‐ and three‐dimensional polymeric metal–thiocyanate supramolecular frameworks. The structure of a new zinc thiocyanate–aminopyrimidine organic–inorganic compound, (C₆H₉ClN₃)₂[Zn(NCS)₄]·2C₆H₈ClN₃·2H₂O, is reported. The asymmetric unit consist of half a tetrathiocyanatozinc(II) dianion, an uncoordinated 4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidinium cation, a 4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidine molecule and a water molecule. The Zn^II atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry and is coordinated by four N atoms from the thiocyanate anions. The Zn^II atom is located on a special position (twofold axis of symmetry). The pyrimidinium cation and the pyrimidine molecule are not coordinated to the Zn^II atom, but are hydrogen bonded to the uncoordinated water molecules and the metal‐coordinated thiocyanate ligands. The pyrimidine molecules and pyrimidinium cations also form base‐pair‐like structures with an R₂²(8) ring motif via N—H…N hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is further stabilized by intermolecular N—H…O, O—H…S, N—H…S and O—H…N hydrogen bonds, by intramolecular N—H…Cl and C—H…Cl hydrogen bonds, and also by π–π stacking interactions.     

Mononuclear Pervanadyl (VO2+) Complexes with Tridentate Schiff Bases: Self‐assembling via C–H…oxo and π‐π Interactions

Pervanadyl (VO₂⁺) complexes with N‐(aroyl)‐N′‐(picolinylidene)hydrazines (HL = Hpabh, Hpath and Hpadh; H stands for the dissociable amide hydrogen) are described. The Schiff bases were obtained by condensation of 2‐pyridine‐carboxaldehyde with benzhydrazide (Hpabh), 4‐methylbenzhydrazide (Hpath) and 4‐dimethylaminobenzhydrazide (Hpadh), respectively. The reaction of [VO(acac)₂] and HL in acetonitrile in air affords the complexes of general formula [VO₂L]. The diamagnetic nature and EPR silence confirm the +5 oxidation state of vanadium in these complexes. Infrared spectra of the complexes are consistent with the enolate form of the coordinated ligands. Electronic spectra show charge transfer bands in the range 486–233 nm. The complexes are redox active and display an irreversible reduction (–0.64 to –0.72 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The crystal structures of all the complexes have been determined. In each complex, the metal centre is in a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal N₂O₃ coordination sphere formed by the pyridine‐N, the imine‐N and the deprotonated amide‐O donor L^– and two oxo groups. The planar ligand satisfies one equatorial and two axial positions. The other two equatorial positions are occupied by the two oxo groups. In the solid state, the molecules of each of the three complexes form a chain‐like arrangement via the azomethine‐H…oxo interactions. Interchain weak π‐π interactions lead to two dimensional networks for [VO₂(pabh)] and [VO₂(path)]. On the other hand, [VO₂(padh)] forms a two‐dimensional network through interchain N‐methyl‐H…oxo interactions.     

Supramolecular architectures in two 1:1 cocrystals of 5‐fluorouracil with 5‐bromothiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid and thiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid

In solid‐state engineering, cocrystallization is a strategy actively pursued for pharmaceuticals. Two 1:1 cocrystals of 5‐fluorouracil (5FU; systematic name: 5‐fluoro‐1,3‐dihydropyrimidine‐2,4‐dione), namely 5‐fluorouracil–5‐bromothiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid (1/1), C₅H₃BrO₂S·C₄H₃FN₂O₂, (I), and 5‐fluorouracil–thiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid (1/1), C₄H₃FN₂O₂·C₅H₄O₂S, (II), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. In both cocrystals, carboxylic acid molecules are linked through an acid–acid R ₂²(8) homosynthon (O—H…O) to form a carboxylic acid dimer and 5FU molecules are connected through two types of base pairs [homosynthon, R ₂²(8) motif] via a pair of N—H…O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structures are further stabilized by C—H…O interactions in (II) and C—Br…O interactions in (I). In both crystal structures, π–π stacking and C—F…π interactions are also observed.     

Generation of “Sumanenylidene”: A Ground‐State Triplet Carbene on a Curved π‐Conjugated Periphery

We have observed the generation of sumanenylidene ( 2 ), a divalent, neutral‐carbon species at the benzylic position of sumanene ( 1 ). We also clarified both experimentally and theoretically that the ground state of compound 2 was a triplet state and that its singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_ST) was similar to that in fluorenylidene. The curved structure of compound 2 led to slightly better spin delocalization over the two adjacent aromatic rings than in planar systems, because of the unpaired spins on the σ and π orbitals. Synthetic application of the carbene precursor, diazosumanene ( 5 ), with a variety of thiocarbonyl compounds revealed its utility for the preparation of tetrasubstituted alkene compounds (e.g., that contain a strongly electron‐donating unit) that are directly conjugated to the sumanene ( 1 ) moiety.     

Electron‐Deficient Tetrabenzo‐Fused Pyracylene and Conversions into Curved and Planar π‐Systems Having Distinct Emission Behaviors

Polycyclic aromatic compounds containing fully unsaturated five‐membered ring(s) have been intensively studied because of their unique properties, which include high electron affinity and reactivity. Reported herein is an efficient route for the synthesis of tetrabenzo‐fused pyracylene, which comprises pyracylene and tetracene segments, using intramolecular oxidative C? H coupling. It was shown to possess high electron affinity and was found to undergo addition reactions with n‐butyllithium or benzyne. These reactions led to either a 1,4‐addition compound or triptycene‐type adduct with a curved or planar π‐system, respectively. Although these compounds exhibited similar sky‐blue emissions in a dilute solution, the emission band of the 1,4‐addition compound was significantly red‐shifted in the solid state and exhibited intense yellow emission attributable to the excimer, while the triptycene‐type adduct retained the intense blue color emission in the solid state.     

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.     

Pyrene‐Bridged Boron Subphthalocyanine Dimers: Combination of Planar and Bowl‐Shaped π‐Conjugated Systems for Creating Uniquely Curved π‐Conjugated Systems

Pyrene‐bridged boron subphthalocyanine dimers were synthesized from a mixed‐condensation reaction of 2,7‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4,5,9,10‐tetracyanopyrene and tetrafluorophthalonitrile, and their syn and anti isomers arising from the result of connecting two bowl‐shaped boron subphthalocyanine molecules were successfully separated. Expansion of the conjugated system of boron subphthalocyanine through a pyrene bridge caused a redshift of the Q band absorption relative to the parent pyrene‐fused monomer, whereas combining the curved π‐conjugation of boron subphthalocyanine with the planar π‐conjugation of pyrene enabled facile embracement of C₆₀ molecules, owing to the enhanced concave–convex π–π stacking interactions.     

Core‐Modified Analogues of Expanded Porphyrins Containing Rigid β,β′‐Linked o‐Phenylene Bridges

Structural modifications that lead to the creation of π‐extended aromatic macrocyles involving a heterocyclic ring other than pyrrole and rigid β‐β′ linkages have not been well studied up to date. The rigidity caused by the conformational restriction would change the spectroscopic properties of the system as compared with those of the normal congeners. With these considerations, we have synthesized and fully characterized π‐extended, core modified expanded porphyrins bearing rigid bipyrrole units. Core‐modified naphthorubyrins were synthesized by the Lewis acid‐catalyzed condensation of naphthobipyrrole with thiophene/furan diols, whereas naphthosapphyrins were obtained by reacting 2,9‐diformyl‐naphthobipyrrole with 16‐thia/oxatripyrranes under mild reaction conditions. The core‐modified analogues of both naphthorubyrin and naphthosapphyrin displayed the aromatic character. The dithiarubyrin analogues showed a lack of conformational change as expected and displayed well‐resolved ¹H NMR resonances at room temperature. On the other hand, the oxasapphyrin analogue adopts a furan‐inverted geometry, and the ring inversion is independent of the protonation state. The oxanaphthosapphyrin also exhibited a weak fluorescence emission at 613 nm.     

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.