A strategy for dramatically enhancing the selectivity of molecules showing aggregation-induced emission towards biomacromolecules with the aid of graphene oxide

By intelligently utilizing the different interacting strengths between different moieties according to the displacement method, general biosensors with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for biomacromolecules without selectivity were converted to excellent, highly selective probes for one specific biomacromolecule with the aid of graphene oxide (GO) in an aqueous medium. Importantly, thanks to the different interactions between the AIE molecule and biomacromolecules, just by simply changing the AIE molecule the sensing system could detect different types of biomacromolecules, thereby providing a new approach to the development of AIE-based sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity. More specifically, the complex of A(2)HPS?HCl-a derivative of hexaphenylsilone (HPS) functionalized by two amino (A(2)) groups (N(CH(2)CH(3))(3))-and GO only gives an "off-on" response to DNA, with a detection limit of 2.3 μg mL(-1) toward DNA-CT (calf thymus); interestingly, the complex of TPE-N(2)C(4) (1,2-bis{4-[4-(N,N,N-triethylammonium)butoxy]phenyl}-1,2-diphenylethene dibromide) and GO could only detect the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), whereas other biomacromolecules, including DNA, RNA, and even other proteins have very little influence.     

Enhancement on the permeation performance of polyimide mixed matrix membranes by incorporation of graphene oxide with different oxidation degrees

Graphene oxide (GO) with different oxidation degrees were synthesized by harsh oxidation of graphite using the improved Hummers method. The GO/polyimide (PI) mixed matrix membrane was successfully fabricated by in situ polymerization of PI monomers (3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether) with GO. The structure of GO was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermal gravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis. The performance of different GO/PI mixed matrix membranes was evaluated by permeation experiments of CO₂/N₂ gas mixture (volume ratio, 1:9). Results showed that more polar functional groups were introduced to GO with the increase in oxidation degree of GO in the preparation process, producing fewer layers and more translucent structures. GO with higher oxidation degree has significant effect on its dispersion in the N,N‐dimethylacetamide solvent and polymer matrix materials. The permeability of GO/PI hybrid membranes for CO₂ and N₂ increased. The CO₂/N₂ permeation selectivity of membranes exhibited a trend of initial increase, followed by a decrease, with the increase in oxidation degree, when the same amount of GO was added. For GO with the same oxidation degree, the permeability and permeation selectivity of hybrid membrane initially increased, and then decreased with the addition content of GO. In the case of hybrid membrane containing 1 wt% monolayer GO, the maximum permeability and permeation selectivity of hybrid membranes for CO₂ were 14.3 and 4.2 times more than that of PI membrane without GO, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Models for potential dendritic nitric oxide donors: crystal structures of two 2‐nitroanilino precursors and nitric oxide‐release behavior of the nitrosated derivatives

Two molecular precursors to dendrimeric materials that could serve as slow and sustained NO‐releasing therapeutic agents have been synthesized and characterized. N¹,N⁴‐Bis(2‐nitrophenyl)butane‐1,4‐diamine, C₁₆H₁₈N₄O₄, (I), crystallizes in a lattice with equal populations of two molecules of different conformations, both of which possess inversion symmetry through the central C—C bond. One molecule has exclusively anti conformations along the butyl chain, while the other has a gauche conformation of the substituents on the first C—C bond. N²,N²‐Bis[2‐(2‐nitroanilino)ethyl]‐N¹‐(2‐nitrophenyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine, C₂₄H₂₇N₇O₆, (II), crystallizes with one unique molecule in the asymmetric unit. Neighboring pairs of molecules are linked into dimers via N—H…O amine–nitro hydrogen bonds. The dimers are assembled into layers that stack in an A–B–A–B sequence such that the repeat distance in the stacking direction is over 46 Å. Molecular NO‐release agents N¹,N⁴‐bis(2‐nitrophenyl)‐N¹,N⁴‐dinitrosobutane‐1,4‐diamine, C₁₆H₁₆N₆O₆, (III), and N¹‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐N²,N²‐bis{2‐[(2‐nitrophenyl)(nitroso)amino]ethyl}‐N¹‐nitrosoethane‐1,2‐diamine, C₂₄H₂₄N₁₀O₉, (IV), were prepared via treatment of (I) and (II), respectively, with NaNO₂ and acetic acid. The release of NO from solid‐phase samples of (III) and (IV) suspended in phosphate buffer was monitored spectroscopically over a period of 21 days. Although (IV) released a greater amount of NO, as expected due to it having three NO moieties for every two in (III), the (IV):(III) ratio of the rate and extent of NO release was significantly less than 1.5:1, suggesting that some combination of electronic, chemical, and/or steric factors may be affecting the release process.     

Hirshfeld surface analysis of two new phosphorothioic triamide structures

Hirshfeld surfaces and two‐dimensional fingerprint plots are used to analyse the intermolecular interactions in two new phosphorothioic triamide structures, namely N,N′,N′′‐tris(3,4‐dimethylphenyl)phosphorothioic triamide acetonitrile hemisolvate, P(S)[NHC₆H₃‐3,4‐(CH₃)₂]₃·0.5CH₃CN or C₂₄H₃₀N₃PS·0.5CH₃CN, (I), and N,N′,N′′‐tris(4‐methylphenyl)phosphorothioic triamide–3‐methylpiperidinium chloride (1/1), P(S)[NHC₆H₄(4‐CH₃)]₃·[3‐CH₃‐C₅H₉NH₂]⁺·Cl⁻ or C₂₁H₂₄N₃PS·C₆H₁₄N⁺·Cl⁻, (II). The asymmetric unit of (I) consists of two independent phosphorothioic triamide molecules and one acetonitrile solvent molecule, whereas for (II), the asymmetric unit is composed of three components (molecule, cation and anion). In the structure of (I), the different components are organized into a six‐molecule aggregate through N—H...S and N—H...N hydrogen bonds. The components of (II) are aggregated into a two‐dimensional array through N—H...S and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. Moreover, interesting features of packing arise in this structure due to the presence of a double hydrogen‐bond acceptor (the S atom of the phosphorothioic triamide molecule) and of a double hydrogen‐bond donor (the N—H unit of the cation). For both (I) and (II), the full fingerprint plot of each component is asymmetric as a consequence of the presence of three fragments. These analyses reveal that H...H interactions [67.7 and 64.3% for the two symmetry‐independent phosphorothioic triamide molecules of (I), 30.7% for the acetonitrile solvent of (I), 63.8% in the phosphorothioic triamide molecule of (II) and 62.9% in the 3‐methylpiperidinium cation of (II)] outnumber the other contacts for all the components in both structures, except for the chloride anion of (II), which only receives the Cl...H contact. The phosphorothioic triamide molecules of both structures include unsaturated C atoms, thus presenting C...H/H...C interactions: 17.6 and 21% for the two symmetry‐independent phosphorothioic triamide molecules in (I), and 22.7% for the phosphorothioic triamide molecule of (II). Furthermore, the N—H...S hydrogen bonds in both (I) and (II), and the N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds in (II), are the most prominent interactions, appearing as large red spots on the Hirshfeld surface maps. The N...H/H...N contacts in structure (I) are considerable, whereas for (II), they give a negligible contribution to the total interactions in the system.     

Herstellung und Charakterisierung in Membranen von Ionophoren mit Selektivität fü Natrium-Ionen

Preparation of Neutral Sodium-Selective Ionophores and their Characterization in Membrane Electrodes Different ionopbores based on N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N′-diphenyl-1,2-phenylenedioxydiacetamide ( 1 ) have been prepared by substitution of the aromatic ring carrying the ether O-atoms. Substituents of widely different electronegativity (CH₃, CH₃O, CHO, CN NO₂, Br) do not relevantly influence the ion selectivity.     

Weak C—H...O and C—H...π hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions in a series of four N′‐[(E)‐(aryl)methylidene]‐N‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐4‐carbohydrazides

Oxazolidin‐2‐ones are widely used as protective groups for 1,2‐amino alcohols and chiral derivatives are employed as chiral auxiliaries. The crystal structures of four differently substituted oxazolidinecarbohydrazides, namely N′‐[(E)‐benzylidene]‐N‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐4‐carbohydrazide, C₁₂H₁₂N₃O₃, (I), N′‐[(E)‐2‐chlorobenzylidene]‐N‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐4‐carbohydrazide, C₁₂H₁₂ClN₃O₃, (II), (4S)‐N′‐[(E)‐4‐chlorobenzylidene]‐N‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐4‐carbohydrazide, C₁₂H₁₂ClN₃O₃, (III), and (4S)‐N′‐[(E)‐2,6‐dichlorobenzylidene]‐N,3‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐4‐carbohydrazide, C₁₃H₁₃Cl₂N₃O₃, (IV), show that an unexpected mild‐condition racemization from the chiral starting materials has occurred in (I) and (II). In the extended structures, the centrosymmetric phases, which each crystallize with two molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit, form A+B dimers linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, albeit with different O‐atom acceptors. One dimer is composed of one molecule with an S configuration for its stereogenic centre and the other with an R configuration, and possesses approximate local inversion symmetry. The other dimer consists of either R,R or S,S pairs and possesses approximate local twofold symmetry. In the chiral structure, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into C(5) chains, with adjacent molecules related by a 2₁ screw axis. A wide variety of weak interactions, including C—H...O, C—H...Cl, C—H...π and π–π stacking interactions, occur in these structures, but there is little conformity between them.     

The interplay of solvation,molecular conformation and supramolecular assembly in 1,1′‐({[(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dioxy](1,2‐phenylene)}bis(methanylylidene))bis(thiosemicarbazide) and its N,N‐dimethylformamide disolvate

The wide diversity of applications of thiosemicarbazones and bis(thiosemicarbazones) has seen them used as anticancer and antitubercular agents, and as ligands in metal complexes designed to act as site‐specific radiopharmaceuticals. Molecules of 1,1′‐({[(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dioxy](1,2‐phenylene)}bis(methanylylidene))bis(thiosemicarbazide) {alternative name: 2,2′‐[ethane‐1,2‐diylbis(oxy)]dibenzaldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazide)}, C₁₈H₂₀N₆O₂S₂, (I), lie across twofold rotation axes in the space group C2/c, with an O—C—C—O torsion angle of −59.62 (13)° and a trans‐planar arrangement of the thiosemicarbazide fragments relative to the adjacent aryl rings. The molecules of (I) are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds to form sheets containing R²₄(38) rings and two types of R²₂(8) ring. In the N,N‐dimethylformamide disolvate, C₁₈H₂₀N₆O₂S₂·2C₃H₇NO, (II), the independent molecular components all lie in general positions, but one of the solvent molecules is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.839 (3) and 0.161 (3). The O—C—C—O torsion angle in the ArOCH₂CH₂OAr component is −75.91 (14)° and the independent thiosemicarbazide fragments both adopt a cis‐planar arrangement relative to the adjacent aryl rings. The ArOCH₂CH₂OAr components in (II) are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds to form deeply puckered sheets containing R²₂(8), R²₄(8) and two types of R²₂(38) rings, and which contain cavities which accommodate all of the solvent molecules in the interior of the sheets. Comparisons are made with some related compounds.     

A new [(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane]platinum(II) complex: formation by nitrate–acetonitrile ligand exchange

The title compound, cis‐diacetonitrile[(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane‐κ²N,N′]platinum(II) dinitrate monohydrate, [Pt(C₂H₃N)₂(C₆H₁₄N₂)](NO₃)₂·H₂O, is a molecular salt of the diaminocyclohexane–Pt complex cation. There are two formula units in the asymmetric unit. Apart from the two charge‐balancing nitrate anions, one neutral molecule of water is present. The components interact via N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in supramolecular chains. The title compound crystallizes only from acetonitrile with residual water, with the acetonitrile coordinating to the molecule of cis‐[Pt(NO₃)₂(DACH)] (DACH is 1,2‐diaminocyclohexane) and the water forming a monohydrate.     

Solvent‐assisted planar structure of a stilbene‐based salicylhydrazone compound: crystal structure,solvent‐ and aggregation‐induced emission,and switchable luminescence colouration

A novel stilbene‐based salicylhydrazone compound {systematic name: (E)‐4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)bis[(N′E)‐N′‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide] dimethyl sulfoxide disolvate, C₃₀H₂₄N₄O₄·2C₂H₆OS or L·2DMSO} was synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with half a symmetry‐independent L molecule and one dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The L molecule adopts an almost planar structure, with a small dihedral angle between the planes of the stilbene and salicylhydrazone groups. There are multiple π–π stacking interactions between adjacent L molecules. The DMSO solvent molecules act as proton donors and acceptors, forming hydrogen bonds of various strengths with the L molecules. In addition, the geometry optimization of a single molecule of L and its luminescence properties either in solution, as a solvated solid or as a desolvated solid were studied. The compound shows an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect and exhibits switchable luminescence colouration in the solid state by the simple removal or re‐addition of the DMSO solvent.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the dinuclear copper(II) Schiff base complex μ‐hydroxido‐μ‐chlorido‐bis{[bis(trans‐2‐nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine]chloridocopper(II)} dichloromethane sesquisolvate

Transition metal complexes of Schiff base ligands have been shown to have particular application in catalysis and magnetism. The chemistry of copper complexes is of interest owing to their importance in biological and industrial processes. The reaction of copper(I) chloride with the bidentate Schiff base N,N′‐bis(trans‐2‐nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine {Nca₂en, systematic name: (1E,1′E,2E,2′E)‐N,N′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine]} in a 1:1 molar ratio in dichloromethane without exclusion of air or moisture resulted in the formation of the title complex μ‐chlorido‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis(chlorido{(1E,1′E,2E,2′E)‐N,N′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine]‐κ²N,N′}copper(II)) dichloromethane sesquisolvate, [Cu₂Cl₃(OH)(C₂₀H₁₈N₄O₄)₂]·1.5CH₂Cl₂. The dinuclear complex has a folded four‐membered ring in an unsymmetrical Cu₂OCl₃ core in which the approximate trigonal bipyramidal coordination displays different angular distortions in the equatorial planes of the two Cu^II atoms; the chloride bridge is asymmetric, but the hydroxide bridge is symmetric. The chelate rings of the two Nca₂en ligands have different conformations, leading to a more marked bowing of one of the ligands compared with the other. This is the first reported dinuclear complex, and the first five‐coordinate complex, of the Nca₂en Schiff base ligand. Molecules of the dimer are associated in pairs by ring‐stacking interactions supported by C—H…Cl interactions with solvent molecules; a further ring‐stacking interaction exists between the two Schiff base ligands of each molecule.     

Supramolecular architectures in metal(II) (Cd/Zn) halide/nitrate complexes of cytosine/5‐fluorocytosine

Three new metal(II)–cytosine (Cy)/5‐fluorocytosine (5FC) complexes, namely bis(4‐amino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐one‐κN³)diiodidocadmium(II) or bis(cytosine)diiodidocadmium(II), [CdI₂(C₄H₅N₃O)₂], ( I ), bis(4‐amino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐one‐κN³)bis(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)cadmium(II) or bis(cytosine)bis(nitrato)cadmium(II), [Cd(NO₃)₂(C₄H₅N₃O)₂], ( II ), and (6‐amino‐5‐fluoro‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐one‐κN³)aquadibromidozinc(II)–6‐amino‐5‐fluoro‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐one (1/1) or (6‐amino‐5‐fluorocytosine)aquadibromidozinc(II)–4‐amino‐5‐fluorocytosine (1/1), [ZnBr₂(C₄H₅FN₃O)(H₂O)]·C₄H₅FN₃O, ( III ), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In complex ( I ), the Cd^II ion is coordinated to two iodide ions and the endocyclic N atoms of the two cytosine molecules, leading to a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The structure is isotypic with [CdBr₂(C₄H₅N₃O)₂] [Muthiah et al. (2001). Acta Cryst. E 57 , m558–m560]. In compound ( II ), each of the two cytosine molecules coordinates to the Cd^II ion in a bidentate chelating mode via the endocyclic N atom and the O atom. Each of the two nitrate ions also coordinates in a bidentate chelating mode, forming a bicapped distorted octahedral geometry around cadmium. The typical interligand N—H…O hydrogen bond involving two cytosine molecules is also present. In compound ( III ), one zinc‐coordinated 5FC ligand is cocrystallized with another uncoordinated 5FC molecule. The Zn^II atom coordinates to the N(1) atom (systematic numbering) of 5FC, displacing the proton to the N(3) position. This N(3)—H tautomer of 5FC mimics N(3)‐protonated cytosine in forming a base pair (via three hydrogen bonds) with 5FC in the lattice, generating two fused R₂²(8) motifs. The distorted tetrahedral geometry around zinc is completed by two bromide ions and a water molecule. The coordinated and nonccordinated 5FCs are stacked over one another along the a‐axis direction, forming the rungs of a ladder motif, whereas Zn—Br bonds and N—H…Br hydrogen bonds form the rails of the ladder. The coordinated water molecules bridge the two types of 5FC molecules via O—H…O hydrogen bonds. The cytosine molecules are coordinated directly to the metal ion in each of the complexes and are hydrogen bonded to the bromide, iodide or nitrate ions. In compound ( III ), the uncoordinated 5FC molecule pairs with the coordinated 5FC ligand through three hydrogen bonds. The crystal structures are further stabilized by N—H…O, N—H…N, O—H…O, N—H…I and N—H…Br hydrogen bonds, and stacking interactions.     

Syntheses and structures of four new mixed‐amide phosphoric triamides

Phosphoric triamides have extensive applications in biochemistry and are also used as O‐donor ligands. Four new mixed‐amide phosphoric triamide structures, namely rac‐N‐tert‐butyl‐N′,N′′‐dicyclohexyl‐N′′‐methylphosphoric triamide, C₁₇H₃₆N₃OP, (I), rac‐N,N′‐dicyclohexyl‐N′‐methyl‐N′′‐(p‐tolyl)phosphoric triamide, C₂₀H₃₄N₃OP, (II), N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexyl‐N′′‐methylphosphoric triamide, C₁₉H₃₈N₃OP, (III), and 2‐[cyclohexyl(methyl)amino]‐5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3,2λ⁵‐diazaphosphinan‐2‐one, C₁₂H₂₆N₃OP, (IV), have been synthesized and studied by X‐ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. Structures (I) and (II) are the first diffraction studies of acyclic racemic mixed‐amide phosphoric triamides. The P—N bonds resulting from the different substituent –N(CH₃)(C₆H₁₁), (C₆H₁₁)NH–, 4‐CH₃‐C₆H₄NH–, (tert‐C₄H₉)NH– and –NHCH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂NH– groups are compared, along with the different molecular volumes and electron‐donor strengths. In all four structures, the molecules form extended chains through N—H…O hydrogen bonds.     

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.     

Reaction‐path calculations and crystal structures of 1,1′‐(ethylene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium dichloride dihydrate and 1,1′‐(ethylene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium dibromide

The design of new organic–inorganic hybrid ionic materials is of interest for various applications, particularly in the areas of crystal engineering, supramolecular chemistry and materials science. The monohalogenated intermediates 1‐(2‐chloroethyl)pyridinium chloride, C₅H₅NCH₂CH₂Cl⁺·Cl⁻, (I′), and 1‐(2‐bromoethyl)pyridinium bromide, C₅H₅NCH₂CH₂Br⁺·Br⁻, (II′), and the ionic disubstituted products 1,1′‐(ethylene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium dichloride dihydrate, C₁₂H₁₄N₂²⁺·2Cl⁻·2H₂O, (I), and 1,1′‐(ethylene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium dibromide, C₁₂H₁₄N₂²⁺·2Br⁻, (II), have been isolated as powders from the reactions of pyridine with the appropriate 1,2‐dihaloethanes. The monohalogenated intermediates (I′) and (II′) were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, while (I) and (II) were structurally characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction. Both (I) and (II) crystallize with half the empirical formula in the asymmetric unit in the triclinic space group P. The organic 1,1′‐(ethylene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium dications, which display approximate C2h symmetry in both structures, are situated on inversion centres. The components in (I) are linked via intermolecular O—H…Cl, C—H…Cl and C—H…O hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional framework, while for (II), they are connected via weak intermolecular C—H…Br hydrogen bonds into one‐dimensional chains in the [110] direction. The nucleophilic substitution reactions of 1,2‐dichloroethane and 1,2‐dibromoethane with pyridine have been investigated by ab initio quantum chemical calculations using the 6–31G** basis. In both cases, the reactions occur in two exothermic stages involving consecutive S_N2 nucleophilic substitutions. The isolation of the monosubstituted intermediate in each case is strong evidence that the second step is not fast relative to the first.     

Supramolecular structures of bis‐thionooxalamic acid esters derived from (±)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine and (±)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine

The bis‐thionooxalamic acid esters trans‐(±)‐diethyl N,N′‐(cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(2‐thiooxamate), C₁₄H₂₂N₂O₄S₂, and (±)‐N,N′‐diethyl (1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(2‐thiooxamate), C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₄S₂, both consist of conformationally flexible molecules which adopt similar conformations with approximate C₂ rotational symmetry. The thioamide and ester parts of the thiooxamate group are significantly twisted along the central C—C bond, with the S=C—C=O torsion angles in the range 30.94 (19)–44.77 (19)°. The twisted s‐cis conformation of the thionooxamide groups facilitates assembly of molecules into a one‐dimensional polymeric structure via intermolecular three‐center C=S...NH...O=C hydrogen bonds and C—H...O interactions formed between molecules of the opposite chirality.     

Nickel(II) Complexes of Pentadentate N5 Ligands as Catalysts for Alkane Hydroxylation by Using m‐CPBA as Oxidant: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

A new family of nickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, where L=N‐methyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L1, 1 ), N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L2, 2 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(6‐methyl‐pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L3, 3 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L4, 4 ), and N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐imidazole‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L5, 5 ), has been isolated and characterized by means of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of [Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ reveals that the nickel(II) center is located in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry constituted by all the five nitrogen atoms of the pentadentate ligand and an acetonitrile molecule. In a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solvent mixture, all the complexes show ligand field bands in the visible region characteristic of an octahedral coordination geometry. They exhibit a one‐electron oxidation corresponding to the Ni^II/Ni^III redox couple the potential of which depends upon the ligand donor functionalities. The new complexes catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of m‐CPBA as oxidant up to a turnover number of 530 with good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 7.1–10.6, A=alcohol, K=ketone). Upon replacing the pyridylmethyl arm in [Ni(L1)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ by the strongly σ‐bonding but weakly π‐bonding imidazolylmethyl arm as in [Ni(L5)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ or the sterically demanding 6‐methylpyridylmethyl ([Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ and the quinolylmethyl arms ([Ni(L4)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, both the catalytic activity and the selectivity decrease. DFT studies performed on cyclohexane oxidation by complexes 1 and 5 demonstrate the two spin‐state reactivity for the high‐spin [(N5)Ni^II?O^.] intermediate (ts1_hs, ts2_doublet), which has a low‐spin state located closely in energy to the high‐spin state. The lower catalytic activity of complex 5 is mainly due to the formation of thermodynamically less accessible m‐CPBA‐coordinated precursor of [Ni^II(L5)(OOCOC₆H₄Cl)]⁺ ( 5 a ). Adamantane is oxidized to 1‐adamantanol, 2‐adamantanol, and 2‐adamantanone (3°/2°, 10.6–11.5), and cumene is selectively oxidized to 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol. The incorporation of sterically hindering pyridylmethyl and quinolylmethyl donor ligands around the Ni^II leads to a high 3°/2° bond selectivity for adamantane oxidation, which is in contrast to the lower cyclohexane oxidation activities of the complexes.     

1‐Carboxymethyl‐3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium chloride 2‐(3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)acetate monohydrate: a crystal stabilized by imidazolium zwitterions

The title compound, C₆H₉N₂O₂⁺·Cl⁻·C₆H₈N₂O₂·H₂O, contains one 2‐(3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)acetate inner salt molecule, one 1‐carboxymethyl‐3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium cation, one chloride ion and one water molecule. In the extended structure, chloride anions and water molecules are linked via O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming an infinite one‐dimensional chain. The chloride anions are also linked by two weak C—H...Cl interactions to neighbouring methylene groups and imidazole rings. Two imidazolium moieties form a homoconjugated cation through a strong and asymmetric O—H...O hydrogen bond of 2.472 (2) Å. The IR spectrum shows a continuous D‐type absorption in the region below 1300 cm⁻¹ and is different to that of 1‐carboxymethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride [Xuan, Wang & Xue (2012). Spectrochim. Acta Part A, 96 , 436–443].     

Supramolecular synthesis based on piperidone derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable co‐formers

The target complexes, bis{(E,E)‐3,5‐bis[4‐(diethylamino)benzylidene]‐4‐oxopiperidinium} butanedioate, 2C₂₇H₃₆N₃O⁺·C₄H₄O₄²⁻, (II), and bis{(E,E)‐3,5‐bis[4‐(diethylamino)benzylidene]‐4‐oxopiperidinium} decanedioate, 2C₂₇H₃₆N₃O⁺·C₁₀H₁₆O₄²⁻, (III), were obtained by solvent‐mediated crystallization of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) (E,E)‐3,5‐bis[4‐(diethylamino)benzylidene]‐4‐piperidone and pharmaceutically acceptable dicarboxylic (succinic and sebacic) acids from ethanol solution. They have been characterized by melting point, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. For the sake of comparison, the structure of the starting API, (E,E)‐3,5‐bis[4‐(diethylamino)benzylidene]‐4‐piperidone methanol monosolvate, C₂₇H₃₅N₃O·CH₄O, (I), has also been studied. Compounds (II) and (III) represent salts containing H‐shaped centrosymmetric hydrogen‐bonded synthons, which are built from two parallel piperidinium cations and a bridging dicarboxylate dianion. In both (II) and (III), the dicarboxylate dianion resides on an inversion centre. The two cations and dianion within the H‐shaped synthon are linked by two strong intermolecular N⁺—H...⁻OOC hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure of (II) includes two crystallographically independent formula units, A and B. The cation geometries of units A and B are different. The main N—C₆H₄—C=C—C(=O)—C=C—C₆H₄—N backbone of cation A has a C‐shaped conformation, while that of cation B adopts an S‐shaped conformation. The same main backbone of the cation in (III) is practically planar. In the crystal structures of both (II) and (III), intermolecular N⁺—H...O=C hydrogen bonds between different H‐shaped synthons further consolidate the crystal packing, forming columns in the [100] and [10] directions, respectively. Salts (II) and (III) possess increased aqueous solubility compared with the original API and thus enhance the bioavailability of the API.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of Cr(salen)(μ‐N)RhCl(COD): the first example of a heterobimetallic nitride‐bridged complex containing chromium

Five‐coordinate Cr(N)(salen) {salen is 2,2′‐[ethane‐1,2‐diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenolate} reacts with [RhCl(COD)]₂ (COD is 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) to yield the heterobimetallic nitride‐bridged title compound, namely chlorido‐2κCl‐[2(η⁴)‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene]{2,2′‐[ethane‐1,2‐diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenolato‐1κ⁴O,N,N′,O′}‐μ‐nitrido‐1:2κ²N:N‐chromium(V)rhodium(I), [CrRh(C₁₆H₁₄N₂O₂)ClN(C₈H₁₂)]. The Cr—N bond of 1.5936 (14) Å is elongated by only 0.035 Å compared to the terminal Cr—N bond in the precursor. The nitride bridge is close to being linear [173.03 (9)°] and the Rh—N bond of 1.9594 (14) Å is very short for a monodentate nitrogen‐donor ligand, indicating significant π‐acceptor character of the Cr[triple‐bond]N group.