Elastic Organic Crystals of a Fluorescent π‐Conjugated Molecule

An elastic organic crystal of a π‐conjugated molecule has been fabricated. A large fluorescent single crystal of 1,4‐bis[2‐(4‐methylthienyl)]‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzene (over 1 cm long) exhibited a fibril lamella morphology based on slip‐stacked molecular wires, and it was found to be a remarkably elastic crystalline material. The straight crystal was capable of bending more than 180° under applied stress and then quickly reverted to its original shape upon relaxation. In addition, the fluorescence quantum yield of the crystal was about twice that of the compound in THF solution. Mechanical bending–relaxation resulted in reversible change of the morphology and fluorescence. This research offers a more general approach to flexible crystals as a promising new family of organic semiconducting materials.     

Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Aromatic Frameworks for Ultralong Phosphorescence by Intralayer π–π Interactions

Ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) based on metal‐free porous materials is rarely reported owing to rapid nonradiative transition under ambient conditions. In this study, hydrogen‐bonded organic aromatic frameworks (HOAFs) with different pore sizes were constructed through strong intralayer π–π interactions to enable ultralong phosphorescence in metal‐free porous materials under ambient conditions for the first time. Impressively, yellow UOP with a lifetime of 79.8 ms observed for PhTCz‐1 lasted for several seconds upon ceasing the excitation. For PhTCz‐2 and PhTCz‐3, on account of oxygen‐dependent phosphorescence quenching, UOP could only be visualized in N₂, thus demonstrating the potential of phosphorescent porous materials for oxygen sensing. This result not only outlines a principle for the design of new HOFs with high thermal stability, but also expands the scope of metal‐free luminescent materials with the property of UOP.     

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.     

Construction of Hetero‐Four‐Layered Tripalladium(II) Cyclophanes by Transannular π⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

A synthetic strategy for the generation of new molecular species utilizing a provision of nature is presented. Nano‐dimensional (23(2)×21(1)×16(1) ų) hetero‐four‐layered trimetallacyclophanes were constructed by proof‐of‐concept experiments that utilize a suitable combination of π???π interactions between the central aromatic rings, tailor‐made short/long spacer tridentate donors, and the combined helicity. The behavior of the unprecedented four‐layered metallacyclophane system offers a landmark in the development of new molecular systems.     

Phenylcarbamoylated β‐CD: π‐Acidic and π‐basic chiral selectors for HPLC

Two types of chiral stationary phases for HPLC based on π‐acidic or π‐basic perphenylcarbamoylated β‐CDs were synthesized. The relative structural features of the two effective chiral selectors are discussed and compared in both normal‐phase and RP modes. In addition, the nature and concentration of alcoholic modifiers were varied for optimal separation in normal phase and the structural variation of the analytes was also examined. The results showed that hydrogen bonding, steric effect and π‐acidic–π‐basic interaction contributed greatly to enantioseparation. Upon comparison, some of the differences in the separation behavior of the two types of chiral stationary phases might be due to the π‐acidic or π‐basic phenylcarbamate groups.     

Photophysical properties of σ–π‐conjugated alternating oligothienylene–oligosilylene polymers

UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence properties of three series of σ–π‐conjugated polymers (copolymers of alternative oligothienylene and oligosilylene units) have been studied in dioxane solution. The energies of the absorption maximum, fluorescence maximum, and the 0–0 transition are found to be linearly dependent on the reciprocal of the number of thiophene rings in the repeating unit of the polymer chain, but almost independent of the silicon atom number. The σ–π‐conjugation in the polymers results in red shift in the absorption and fluorescence maxima, higher fluorescence quantum yields, and longer fluorescence lifetimes of the polymers, with respect to their corresponding analogous α‐oligothiophenes. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1873–1880, 1999     

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.     

CH–π and CF–π Interactions Lead to Structural Changes of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Palladium Complexes

The role of CH–π and CF–π interactions in determining the structure of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium complexes were studied using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. The CH–π interactions led to the formation of the cis‐anti isomers in 1‐aryl‐3‐isopropylimidazol‐2‐ylidene‐based [(NHC)₂PdX₂] complexes, while CF–π interactions led to the exclusive formation of the cis‐syn isomer of diiodobis(3‐isopropyl‐1‐pentafluorophenylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) palladium(II).     

The tropolone–isobutylamine complex: a hydrogen‐bonded troponoid without dominant π–π interactions

Tropolone long has served as a model system for unraveling the ubiquitous phenomena of proton transfer and hydrogen bonding. This molecule, which juxtaposes ketonic, hydroxylic, and aromatic functionalities in a framework of minimal complexity, also has provided a versatile platform for investigating the synergism among competing intermolecular forces, including those generated by hydrogen bonding and aryl coupling. Small members of the troponoid family typically produce crystals that are stabilized strongly by pervasive π–π, C—H…π, or ion–π interactions. The organic salt (TrOH·iBA) formed by a facile proton‐transfer reaction between tropolone (TrOH) and isobutylamine (iBA), namely isobutylammonium 7‐oxocyclohepta‐1,3,5‐trien‐1‐olate, C₄H₁₂N⁺·C₇H₅O₂⁻, has been investigated by X‐ray crystallography, with complementary quantum‐chemical and statistical‐database analyses serving to elucidate the nature of attendant intermolecular interactions and their synergistic effects upon lattice‐packing phenomena. The crystal structure deduced from low‐temperature diffraction measurements displays extensive hydrogen‐bonding networks, yet shows little evidence of the aryl forces (viz. π–π, C—H…π, and ion–π interactions) that typically dominate this class of compounds. Density functional calculations performed with and without the imposition of periodic boundary conditions (the latter entailing isolated subunits) documented the specificity and directionality of noncovalent interactions occurring between the proton‐donating and proton‐accepting sites of TrOH and iBA, as well as the absence of aromatic coupling mediated by the seven‐membered ring of TrOH. A statistical comparison of the structural parameters extracted for key hydrogen‐bond linkages to those reported for 44 previously known crystals that support similar binding motifs revealed TrOH·iBA to possess the shortest donor–acceptor distances of any troponoid‐based complex, combined with unambiguous signatures of enhanced proton‐delocalization processes that putatively stabilize the corresponding crystalline lattice and facilitate its surprisingly rapid formation under ambient conditions.     

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.     

The Bright Future of Unconventional σ/π‐Hole Interactions

Non‐covalent interactions play a crucial role in (supramolecular) chemistry and much of biology. Supramolecular forces can indeed determine the structure and function of a host–guest system. Many sensors, for example, rely on reversible bonding with the analyte. Natural machineries also often have a significant non‐covalent component (e.g. protein folding, recognition) and rational interference in such ‘living’ devices can have pharmacological implications. For the rational design/tweaking of supramolecular systems it is helpful to know what supramolecular synthons are available and to understand the forces that make these synthons stick to one another. In this review we focus on σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions. A σ‐ or π‐hole can be seen as positive electrostatic potential on unpopulated σ* or π⁽*⁾ orbitals, which are thus capable of interacting with some electron dense region. A σ‐hole is typically located along the vector of a covalent bond such as X?H or X?Hlg (X=any atom, Hlg=halogen), which are respectively known as hydrogen and halogen bond donors. Only recently it has become clear that σ‐holes can also be found along a covalent bond with chalcogen (X?Ch), pnictogen (X?Pn) and tetrel (X?Tr) atoms. Interactions with these synthons are named chalcogen, pnigtogen and tetrel interactions. A π‐hole is typically located perpendicular to the molecular framework of diatomic π‐systems such as carbonyls, or conjugated π‐systems such as hexafluorobenzene. Anion–π and lone‐pair–π interactions are examples of named π‐hole interactions between conjugated π‐systems and anions or lone‐pair electrons respectively. While the above nomenclature indicates the distinct chemical identity of the supramolecular synthon acting as Lewis acid, it is worth stressing that the underlying physics is very similar. This implies that interactions that are now not so well‐established might turn out to be equally useful as conventional hydrogen and halogen bonds. In summary, we describe the physical nature of σ‐ and π‐hole interactions, present a selection of inquiries that utilise σ‐ and π‐holes, and give an overview of analyses of structural databases (CSD/PDB) that demonstrate how prevalent these interactions already are in solid‐state structures.     

Ladder‐Type π‐Conjugated 4‐Hetero‐1,4‐dihydrophosphinines: A Structure–Property Study

π‐Conjugated six‐membered 1,4‐dihydrophosphinines containing a heteroatom (Si, P, S) at the 4 position were synthesized and systematically studied. X‐ray crystallographic analyses showed that the central six‐membered heterocyclic rings are almost planar. The sum of the angles around the phosphorus atom increases by 23° from the trivalent phosphorus to the phosphonium atom in the thiaphosphinine system, which is consistent with the NMR spectroscopic studies. UV/Vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations revealed that the communication between the phosphorus center and the benzothiophene moiety is enhanced by the incorporation of a sulfur atom into the molecular scaffold. The increased conjugation endows the thiaphosphinines with interesting emission properties. Theoretical calculations supported the postulation that the orbital coupling between the π system and a σ* orbital could be enhanced in the thiaphosphinine system, especially through a phosphonium center. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that the thiaphosphinine oxide, thiaphosphonium, and cis‐diphosphinine oxide exhibit quasi‐reversible reduction processes, which demonstrate that simple changes in the bridge heteroatoms help to efficiently tune the redox properties of the ladder‐type 4‐hetero‐1,4‐dihydrophosphinines.     

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.     

Assembly of Three 2D Metal‐Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Derived from Flexible Ligands, 1,4‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene (3‐bpd) and/or 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane (dpe)

Three coordination polymers, {[Cd(3‐bpd)₂(NCS)₂]×C₂H₅OH}_n ( 1 ), {[Cd(3‐bpd)(dpe)(NO₃)₂]×(3‐bpd)}₂ ( 2 ), {[Cd(dpe)₂(NCS)₂]×3‐bpd×2H₂O}_n ( 3 ) (3‐bpd = 1,4‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene; dpe = 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane), were prepared and structurally characterized by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. In compound 1 , each Cd(II) ion is six‐coordinate bonded to six nitrogen atoms from four 3‐bpd and two NCS^? ligands. The 3‐bpd acts as a bridging ligand connecting the Cd(II) ion to generate a 2D layered metal‐organic framework (MOF) by using a rhomboidal‐grid as the basic building units with the 4⁴ topology. In compound 2 , the Cd(II) ion is also six‐coordinate bonded to four nitrogen atoms of two 3‐bpd, two dpe and two oxygen atoms of two NO₃^? ligands. The 3‐bpd and dpe ligands both adopt bis‐monodentate coordination mode connecting the Cd(II) ions to generate a 2D layered MOF by using a rectangle‐grid as the basic building units with the 4⁴ topology. In compound 3 , two crystallographically independent Cd(II) ions are both coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of dpe ligands in the basal plane and two nitrogen atom of NCS^? in the axial sites. The dpe acts as a bridging ligand to connect the Cd(II) ions forming a 2D interpenetrating MOFs by using a square‐grid as the basic unit with the 4⁴ topology. All of their 2D layered MOFs in compounds 1 ‐ 3 are then arranged in a parallel non‐interpenetrating ABAB—packing manner in 1 and 2 , and mutually interpenetrating manner in 3 , respectively, to extend their 3D supramolecular architectures with their 1D pores intercalated with solvent (ethanol in 1 or H₂O in 3 ) or free 3‐bpd molecules in 2 and 3 , respectively. The photoluminescence measurements of 1 ‐ 3 reveal that the emission is tentatively assigned to originate from π‐π* transition for 1 and 2 and probably due to ligand‐center luminescence for compounds 3 , respectively.     

Tailoring Excited State Properties and Energy Levels Arrangement via Subtle Structural Design on D‐π‐A Materials

The donor‐π‐conjugated‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) structure is an important design for the luminescent materials because of its diversity in the selections of donor, π‐bridge and acceptor groups. Herein, we demonstrate two examples of D‐π‐A structures capable to finely modulate the excited state properties and arrangement of energy levels, TPA‐AN‐BP and CZP‐AN‐BP , which possess the same acceptor and π‐bridge but different donor. The investigation of their photophysical properties and DFT calculation revealed that the D‐π‐A structure with proper donor, π‐bridge and acceptor can result in separation of frontier molecular orbitals on the corresponding donor and acceptor with an obvious overlap on the π‐bridge, resulting in a hybridized local and charge‐transfer (HLCT ) excited state with high photoluminescent (PL ) efficiencies. Meanwhile, their singlet and triplet states are arranged on corresponding moieties with large energy gap between T₂ and T₁ , and a small energy gap between S₁ and T₂ , which favor the reverse intersystem crossing (RISC ) from high‐lying triplet levels to singlet levels. As a result, the sky‐blue emission non‐doped OLED based on the TPA‐AN‐BP reached maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE ) of 4.39% and a high exciton utilization efficiency (EUE ) of 77%. This study demonstrates a new strategy to construct highly efficient OLED materials.     

Comparative studies on group III σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions

The σ‐hole of M₂H₆ (M = Al, Ga, In) and π‐hole of MH₃ (M = Al, Ga, In) were discovered and analyzed, the bimolecular complexes M₂H₆···NH₃ and MH₃···N₂P₂F₄ (M = Al, Ga, In) were constructed to carry out comparative studies on the group III σ‐hole interactions and π‐hole interactions. The two types of interactions are all partial‐covalent interactions; the π‐hole interactions are stronger than σ‐hole interactions. The electrostatic energy is the largest contribution for forming the σ‐hole and π‐hole interaction, the polarization energy is also an important factor to form the M···N interaction. The electrostatic energy contributions to the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those of the π‐hole interactions. However, the polarization contributions for the π‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those for the σ‐hole interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hole Mobility Modulation in Single‐Crystal Metal Phthalocyanines by Changing the Metal–π/π–π Interactions

Weak intermolecular interactions in organic semiconducting molecular crystals play an important role in determining molecular packing and electronic properties. Single crystals of metal‐free and metal phthalocyanines were synthesized to investigate how the coordination of the central metal atom affects their molecular packing and resultant electronic properties. Single‐crystal field‐effect transistors were made and showed a hole mobility order of ZnPc>MnPc>FePc>CoPc>CuPc>H₂Pc>NiPc. Density functional theory (DFT) and 1D polaron transport theory reach a good agreement in reproducing the experimentally measured trend for hole mobility. Additional detail analysis at the DFT level suggests the metal atom coordination into H₂Pc planes can tune the hole mobility via adjusting the intermolecular distances along the shortest axis with closest parallel π stackings.     

The ability of Ex2Box4+ to interact with guests containing π‐electron‐rich and π‐electron‐poor moieties

The ability of Ex 2 Box⁴⁺ as a host, able to trap guests containing both π‐electron rich (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons‐PAHs) and π‐electron poor (quinoid‐ and nitro‐PAHs) moieties was investigated to shed light on the main factors that control the host–guest (HG) interaction. The nature of the HG interactions was elucidated by energy decomposition (EDA‐NOCV), noncovalent interaction (NCI), and magnetic response analyses. EDA‐NOCV reveals that dispersion contributions are the most significant to sustain the HG interaction, while electrostatic and orbital contributions are very tiny. In fact, no significant covalent character in the HG interactions was observed. The obtained results point strictly to NCIs, modulated by dispersion contributions. Regardless of whether the guests contain π‐electron‐rich or π‐electron‐poor moieties, and no significant charge‐transfer was observed. All in all, HG interactions between guests 3‐14 and host 2 are predominantly modulated by π‐π stacking.