Anion-(π)n-π Catalytic Micelles

Anion-π catalysis operates by stabilizing anionic transition states on π-acidic aromatic surfaces. In anion-(π)_n-π catalysis, π stacks add polarizability to strengthen interactions. In search of synthetic methods to extend π stacks beyond the limits of foldamers, the self-assembly of micelles from amphiphilic naphthalenediimides (NDIs) is introduced. To interface substrates and catalysts, charge-transfer complexes with dialkoxynaphthalenes (DANs), a classic in supramolecular chemistry, are installed. In π-stacked micelles, the rates of bioinspired ether cyclizations exceed rates on monomers in organic solvents by far. This is particularly impressive considering that anion-π catalysis in water has been elusive so far. Increasing rates with increasing π acidity of the micelles evince operational anion-(π)_n-π catalysis. At maximal π acidity, autocatalytic behavior emerges. Dependence on position and order in confined micellar space promises access to emergent properties. Anion-(π)_n-π catalytic micelles in water thus expand supramolecular systems catalysis accessible with anion-π interactions with an inspiring topic of general interest and great perspectives.     

A π-Conjugated Anion-Exchange Membrane with an Ordered Ion-Conducting Channel via the McMurray Coupling Reaction

The McMurry coupling is a facile, gentle and low-cost chemical reaction for synthesizing. Here, for the first time, we employed the McMurry coupling reaction to prepare π-conjugated anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The inter-chain π-π stacking between adjacent benzene rings induces directional self-assembly aggregation and enables highly ordered ion-conductive channels. The resulting structure was characterized through UV/VIS spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, leading to high OH⁻ conductivity of 135.5 mS cm⁻¹ at 80 °C. Furthermore, the double bonds in the π-conjugated system also trigger in situ self-crosslinking of the AEMs to enhance dimensional and alkaline stability. Benefiting from this advantage, the as-obtained Cr-QPPV-2.51 AEM exhibits superior alkaline stability (95 % conductivity retention after 3000 hrs in 1 M KOH at 80 °C) and high mechanical strength of 34.8 MPa. Moreover, the fuel cell using Cr-QPPV-2.51 shows a maximum peak power density of 1.27 W cm⁻² at 80 °C.     

Anomalous Charge Transfer from Organic Ligands to Metal Halides in Zero-Dimensional [(C6H5)4P]2SbCl5 Enabled by Pressure-Induced Lone Pair-π Interaction

Low-dimensional (low-D) organic metal halide hybrids (OMHHs) have emerged as fascinating candidates for optoelectronics due to their integrated properties from both organic and inorganic components. However, for most of low-D OMHHs, especially the zero-D (0D) compounds, the inferior electronic coupling between organic ligands and inorganic metal halides prevents efficient charge transfer at the hybrid interfaces and thus limits their further tunability of optical and electronic properties. Here, using pressure to regulate the interfacial interactions, efficient charge transfer from organic ligands to metal halides is achieved, which leads to a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) at around 6.0 GPa in a 0D OMHH, [(C₆H₅)₄P]₂SbCl₅. In situ experimental characterizations and theoretical simulations reveal that the pressure-induced electronic coupling between the lone-pair electrons of Sb³⁺ and the π electrons of benzene ring (lp-π interaction) serves as an unexpected “bridge” for the charge transfer. Our work opens a versatile strategy for the new materials design by manipulating the lp-π interactions in organic–inorganic hybrid systems.     

Two-dimensional supramolecular assembly of phenylmercury(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with a tridentate thiohydrazone NNS donor ligand: Synthesis,coordination behavior and crystal structure

The reaction of phenylmercury(II) acetate and cadmium(II) acetate with a refluxed solution of diacetylmonoxime and morpholine N-thiohydrazide formed a novel phenylmercury(II) complex, [PhHg(Hdammthiol)] (1) and a cadmium(II) complex, [Cd(Hdammthiol)₂] (2), respectively (where H₂dammthiol is the thiol form of diacetylmonoximemorpholine N-thiohydrazone (Hdammth) formed by the condensation of diacetylmonoxime and morpholine N-thiohydrazide in the presence of phenylmercury(II) and cadmium(II) ions). The complexes were characterised by elemental analyses and spectral data (electronic, infrared and ¹H NMR) and also by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The X-ray crystallography shows that the phenylmercury(II) complex attained a tricoordinated distorted T-shaped structure, while the cadmium(II) complex attained a trapezoidal bipyramidal geometry. The phenylmercury(II) complex forms a two-dimensional sheet via C–H?O and O–H?N hydrogen bonding and also forms a two-dimensional supramolecular dimer, having C–H?π synthons. Intermolecular C–H?O and O–H?O hydrogen bonding of the cadmium(II) complex forms a two-dimensional supramolecular sheet along the bc plane and posses an impressively short intermolecular C(sp³)?O(sp³) contact.     

Recognition of alkyl ketone molecules based on thickness-shear-mode acoustic sensors with calixarene derivatives

The frequency response characteristics for twenty-two organic vapours by piezoelectric thickness-shear-mode (TSM) acoustic wave sensors coated with four supramolecule compounds—calixarenes have been investigated. Among them, 2,8,14,20-tetraethyl-4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24-octahydroxylcalix[4]arene (I) was the most efficient actively adsorptive material for host-guest recognizing alkyl ketone molecules such as 2-butanone and acetone. The supramolecule recognition mechanism has been discussed, that is based on the formation of C-H?π bond interaction between the methyl group of ketone molecule and the phenyl ring of the calixarene compound. The linear range of the TSM sensor upon exposure to 2-butanone vapour was 0-940.5 ppm with a detection limit of 2.67 ppm when the coating mass of the compound I was selected as 19 μg. The kinetics behaviours in the adsorption and desorption processes have been examined with polynomial curve fitting procedure. Furthermore, the proposed TSM sensor possessed good selectivity, reversibility, reproducibility and high stability. Compared with gas chromatography (GC) method, the proposed sensor can be used for on-line determination of 2-butanone vapour in air with a recovery of 94.8-106.5%, which was in consistent with those obtained by GC method.     

两个四硫富瓦烯分子正离子自由基TTF·^＋之间的共价吸引作用

使用MP2／6-311G方法得到了四硫富瓦烯自由基正离子二聚体（TTF·^＋ -TTF·^＋）能量极小点的结构．这显示这种正离子间的吸引作用存在．这种新的吸引作用是望远镜形状的20中心2电子分子间共价π/π键．这种共价π/π键的键能约为-21kcal·mol^-1,它被正离子间的库伦排斥作用掩盖．有负离子围绕的四硫富瓦烯自由基正离子二聚体（TTF·^＋ -TTF·^＋）体系是稳定的．     

Nanostaircase formation in the solid state from self-assembling synthetic terephthalamides with a common molecular scaffold

The design and construction of nanostructured materials using proper self-assembling molecular building blocks is a real challenge to scientists. Here, we present the formation of a new nano-architecture, i.e., nanostaircase in the solid state by using molecular building blocks, which are amenable to self-assembly in a directed manner to form the specific nanostructure. The molecular building blocks are terephthalamides 1-4, which are bis-terephthalamides of methyl esters of various α-amino acids including l-leucine 1, d-leucine 2, l-isoleucine 3, and α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) 4. All terephthalamides presented here, irrespective of their different side chain residues or stereochemistry, self-assemble to form supramolecular nanostaircase structures in crystals. Each terephthalamide contains two good hydrogen-bond donors and two hydrogen-bond acceptors. Two N-H?O hydrogen bonds and C-H?π interactions are responsible for the formation and stabilization of the nanostaircase structures in crystals. The molecular building blocks are packed orthogonally to each other in crystals and this arrangement can help the formation of nanostaircase structure upon self-assembly.     

Two significantly different conformations in crystal: formation of a molecular dimer governed by cation-π interactions

Two significantly different conformations were observed in crystal of 1, which form an unsymmetrical molecular dimer governed by cation-π interactions between a pyridinium cation and a phenyl ring, whereas compound 2 forms a head-to-tail type of dimer.