Supramolecular metal-polypyridyl and Ru(II) porphyrin complexes: photophysical, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electrochemical studies

A series of mixed-metal supramolecular porphyrin arrays in which the geometry of the central metal-polypyridyl moiety defines the spatial arrangement of two or more Ru(II)-porphyrin units through axial coordination have been prepared by employing self-assembly based protocols, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties have been studied. The electrochemical properties of the constituent parts of these arrays depend only on their own chemical environment, regardless of the nuclearity and the overall charge of the compound; in this way species with predetermined redox patterns can be obtained via the synthetic control of the self-assembly process. Interestingly, several of these arrays are luminescent both at room and at low temperatures, and in many cases core-to-periphery or periphery-to-core intramolecular energy transfer processes take place according to the nature of the central metal template.     

Mechanochemistry: opportunities for new and cleaner synthesis

The aim of this critical review is to provide a broad but digestible overview of mechanochemical synthesis, i.e. reactions conducted by grinding solid reactants together with no or minimal solvent. Although mechanochemistry has historically been a sideline approach to synthesis it may soon move into the mainstream because it is increasingly apparent that it can be practical, and even advantageous, and because of the opportunities it provides for developing more sustainable methods. Concentrating on recent advances, this article covers industrial aspects, inorganic materials, organic synthesis, cocrystallisation, pharmaceutical aspects, metal complexes (including metal-organic frameworks), supramolecular aspects and characterization methods. The historical development, mechanistic aspects, limitations and opportunities are also discussed (314 references).     

Manganese clusters derived from a 2,6-diacetylpyridine dioximato ligand: structure and magnetic study

Reactions of 2,6-diacetylpyridine dioxime (dapdoH?) with Mn(NO?)? or Mn(SO?CF?)? under a variety of conditions or co-ligands yield compounds with the formula [Mn?O?(OMe)?(dapdo)?(dapdoH)?](X)? in which X = NO?? (1) or SO?CF?? (2), [Mn?O?(dapdo)?(NO?)?]·H?O (3) and [Mn(dapdoH?)(N?)?](n) (4). Compounds 1, 3 and 4 were structurally characterized and equivalent structures for 1 and 2 were inferred from spectroscopic and analytical results. Compounds 1 and 2 consist of hexanuclear Mn?(II)Mn?(III) complexes whereas 3 consists of an octanuclear Mn?(II)Mn?(III) cluster in which the manganese atoms exhibit a rare bicapped elongated octahedral topology. Compound 4 consists of a 1D system bridged by double end-on azido ligands. Variable temperature magnetic studies were performed between 2-300 K, confirming the ground state S = 5 for 1 and 2, S = 0 for 3 and ferromagnetic response for 4.     

Nickel poly-acetylide carbonyl clusters: structural features, bonding and electrochemical behaviour

The reactions of [NEt(4)](2)[Ni(6)(CO)(12)] with miscellaneous carbon halides (e.g. CCl(4), C(4)Cl(6)) in CH(2)Cl(2) have been extensively investigated particularly focusing on the stoichiometric ratio of the reagents and reaction temperature. This allowed the preparation of the previously known acetylide clusters [Ni(16)(C(2))(2)(CO)(23)](4-), [HNi(25)(C(2))(4)(CO)(32)](3-) and [Ni(22)(C(2))(4)(CO)(28)Cl](3-), as well as isolation and full characterisation of the closely related [Ni(17)(C(2))(2)(CO)(24)](4-) and [Ni(25)(C(2))(4)(CO)(32)](4-) tetraanions. From a structural point of view, all these clusters are based on a Ni(16) square orthobicupola which contain interstitial C(2), Ni(η(2)-C(2))(4) or Ni(2)(μ-η(2)-C(2))(4) moieties, displaying rather short C-C bonds. Electrochemical studies reveal that all these species undergo different redox processes, even if their stability is rather limited. This is corroborated by an extensive analysis of the interaction between interstitial C(2) acetylide units and the metal cluster cage by Extended Huckel Molecular Orbital (EHMO) calculations, which indicates that tightly bonded C-C units are less effective than isolated C-atoms in stabilising the cluster cage.     

Impact of Fluoroalkylation on the n-Type Charge Transport of Two Naphthodithiophene Diimide Derivatives

In this work, we investigate two recently synthesized naphthodithiophene diimide (NDTI) derivatives featuring promising n-type charge transport properties. We analyze the charge transport pathways and model charge mobility with the non-adiabatic hopping mechanism using the Marcus-Levich-Jortner rate constant formulation, highlighting the role of fluoroalkylated substitution in α (α-NDTI) and at the imide nitrogen (N-NDTI) position. In contrast with the experimental results, similar charge mobilities are computed for the two derivatives. However, while α-NDTI displays remarkably anisotropic mobilities with an almost one-dimensional directionality, N-NDTI sustains a more isotropic charge percolation pattern. We propose that the strong anisotropic charge transport character of α-NDTI is responsible for the modest measured charge mobility. In addition, when the role of thermally induced transfer integral fluctuations is investigated, the computed electron–phonon couplings for intermolecular sliding modes indicate that dynamic disorder effects are also more detrimental for the charge transport of α-NDTI than N-NDTI. The lower observed mobility of α-NDTI is therefore rationalized in terms of a prominent anisotropic character of the charge percolation pathways, with the additional contribution of dynamic disorder effects.     

Core-extended rylene dyes via thiophene annulation

Annulation of thiophenes directly into the bay regions of rylene dyes through effective Stille coupling and subsequent ring-fusion under Scholl conditions leads to core-extended rylene tetracarboxylic diimides with interesting electro-optical properties.     

Combining piracetam and lithium salts: ionic co-crystals and co-drugs?

Mechanochemical reaction of solid piracetam with the inorganic salts LiCl and LiBr yields ionic co-crystals which are also co-drugs, characterized by markedly different thermal properties with respect to pure components, also depending on the method for preparation and/or conditions of measurements; single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction at variable temperatures, DSC, TGA, hot stage microscopy (HSM) and intrinsic dissolution rate have been used to fully characterize the solid products.     

Solid-state preparation of hybrid organometallic-organic macrocyclic adducts with long chain dicarboxylic acids

The supramolecular macrocyclic adducts of general formula {[Fe(eta5-C5H4-C5H4N)2].[HOOC(CH2)nCOOH]}2 with n = 4 (adipic acid), n = 6 (suberic acid), n = 7 (azelaic acid) and n = 8 (sebacic acid) have been obtained quantitatively by kneading powdered samples of the crystalline organometallic and organic reactants with drops of MeOH (for n = 4, 6 and 7) and by direct crystallization from MeOH for n = 8, while the adduct with n = 5 represents an isomeric open chain alternative to the macrocycle.