Hexaphenylditetrels – When Longer Bonds Provide Higher Stability

We present a computational analysis of hexaphenylethane derivatives with heavier tetrels comprising the central bond. In stark contrast to parent hexaphenylethane, the heavier tetrel derivatives can readily be prepared. In order to determine the origin of their apparent thermodynamic stability against dissociation as compared to the carbon case, we employed local energy decomposition analysis (LED) and symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) at the DLPNO-CCSD(T)/def2-TZVP and sSAPT0/def2-TZVP levels of theory. We identified London dispersion (LD) interactions as the decisive factor for the molecular stability of heavier tetrel derivatives. This stability is made possible owing to the longer (than C−C) central bonds that move the phenyl groups out of the heavily repulsive regime so they can optimally benefit from LD interactions.     

Polymeric bidimensional self-assembling of [Hg(RC6H4NNNC6H4R)2Py] (R = m-acetyl) through metal-η,η-arene π-interactions and non classical C-H?O bonding: Synthesis and X-ray characterization of a bis diaryl symmetric-substituted triazenide complex of Hg(II)

Deprotonated 1,3-bis(3-acetylphenyl)triazene reacts with Hg(CH₃COO)₂ and pyridine to give light-yellow crystals of {[Hg^II(RC₆H₄NNNC₆H₄R)₂Py]}_n (R = acetyl). The tectons [Hg^II(RC₆H₄NNNC₆H₄R)₂Py] [R = CH₃C(O)] are linked to pairs as centrosymmetric dimers through reciprocal metal-η²-arene π-interactions. The dimeric units are operated by a screw axis 2₁ parallel to the crystallographic direction [0 1 0], also through a reflection-translation plane parallel to the c-axis, resulting a supramolecular bidimensional (2D) assembling of the dimeric tectons through non classical C-H?(O)CCH₃ bonding.     

Noncovalent Interactions of π Systems with Sulfur: The Atomic Chameleon of Molecular Recognition

The relative strength of noncovalent interactions between a thioether sulfur atom and various π systems in designed top pan molecular balances was determined by NMR spectroscopy. Compared to its oxygen counterpart, the sulfur atom displays a remarkable ability to interact with almost equal facility over the entire range of π systems studied, with the simple alkene emerging as the most powerful partner. With the exception of the O???heteroarene interaction, all noncovalent interactions of sulfur with π systems are favoured over oxygen.     

Backbone‐Directed Self‐Assembly of Interlocked Molecular Cyclic Metalla[3]Catenanes

The efficient backbone‐directed self‐assembly of cyclic metalla[3]catenanes by the combination of tetrachloroperylenediimide (TCPDI)‐based dinuclear rhodium(III) clips and 4,4′‐diazopyridine or 4,4′‐dipyridylethylene ligands is realized in a single‐step strategy. The topology and coordination geometry of the cyclic metalla[3]catenanes are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐TOF‐MS spectrometry, UV/Vis‐NIR spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction studies. The most remarkable feature of the formed cyclic metalla[3]catenane is that it contains π‐aggregates (ca. 2.6 nm) incorporating six TCPDIs. Further studies revealed that cyclic metalla[3]catenanes can be converted reversibly to their corresponding sodium adducts and precursor building blocks, respectively. This strategy opens the possibility of generating unique supramolecular structures from discrete functional π‐aggregates with precise arrangements.     

Polymeric assembling through reciprocal metal-η-arene π-interactions: Synthesis and X-ray characterization of [Hg(RPhNNNPhR′)2Py]2 (R = NO2, R′ = F), an asymmetric bis diaryl-substituted triazenide-pyridinyl complex of Hg(II)

Hg(SCN)₂ reacts with 3-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)triazene in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of triethylamine to give orange crystals of [Hg^II(RPhNNNPhR′)₂Py]₂ (R = NO₂, R′ = F), a new polymeric triazenide-pyridinyl complex of Hg(II) with reciprocal metal-η²-arene π-interactions. The crystal structure belongs to the triclinic space group , and the lattice of [Hg^II(RPhNNNPhR′)₂Py]₂ can be viewed as a supramolecular unidimensional assembling of tectonic [Hg^II(RPhNNNPhR′)₂Py] units linked through intermolecular metal-arene π interactions and non-classical C-H?O hydrogen bonding.     

Correlating Molar Mass, π-Conjugation,and Optical Properties of Narrowly Distributed Anionic Polythiophenes in Aqueous Solutions

Polythiophene-based conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPE) are attracting increasing attention as sensor or interface materials in chemistry and biology. While cationic polythiophenes are better understood, limited structural information is available on their anionic counterparts. Limited access to well-defined polymers has made the study of structure-property relationships difficult and clear correlations have remained elusive. By combining controlled Kumada catalyst transfer polymerization with a polymer-analog substitution, regioregular and narrowly distributed poly(6-(thiophen-3-yl)hexane-1-sulfonate)s (PTHS) with tailored chain length are prepared. Analysis of their aqueous solution structures by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed a cylindrical conformation for all polymers tested, with a length close to the contour length of the polymer chains, while the estimated radii remain too small (<1.5 nm) for extensive π-stacking of the chains. The latter is particularly interesting as the longest polymer exhibits a concentration-independent structured absorption typical of crystalline polythiophenes. Increasing the ionic strength of the solution diminishes these features as the Coulomb repulsion between the charged repeat units is shielded, allowing the polymer to adopt a more coiled conformation. The extended π-conjugation, therefore, appears to be a key parameter for these unique optical features, which are not present in the corresponding cationic polythiophenes.     

Monitoring styrene Pickering SiO2-supported emulsion polymerization kinetics by Raman spectroscopy: Elucidating mechanisms interpreting the silanol/phenyl π-interactions

A different internal reference band in Raman spectroscopy, to monitor SiO₂-supported styrene Pickering emulsion polymerizations, is postulated. Raman spectroscopy allowed detecting silanol/styrene-aromatic-ring interactions yielding a deviation, against conversion, in the 1630/1000 wave number ratio, commonly used for monitoring styrene polymerizations. The detection of silanol/aromatic-ring interactions permitted supporting a previous proposal for the continuous nucleation during Pickering polymerization, without requiring a more sophisticated analysis such as NMR.     

Self-Assembly of Bowl-Shaped Naphthalimide-Annulated Corannulene

The self-assembly of a bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene of high solubility has been studied in a variety of solvents by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Evaluation by the anti-cooperative K₂-K model revealed the formation of supramolecular dimers of outstanding thermodynamic stability. Further structural proof for the almost exclusive formation of dimers over extended aggregates is demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) measurements as well as by theoretical calculations. Thus, herein we present the first report of a supramolecular dimer of an annulated corannulene derivative in solution and discuss its extraordinarily high thermodynamic stability with association constants up to >10⁶ M⁻¹ in methylcyclohexane, which is comparable to the association constants given for planar phthalocyanine and perylene bisimide dyes.     

Supramolecular assemblages through metal-η-arene π-interactions: Synthesis and X-ray characterization of {Hg[NNN(PhR)2]2}n (R = NO2, F), a bis diaryl-substituted triazenide complex polymer of Hg(II)

3-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-nitrophenyl)triazene reacts with mercury(II) acetate in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridilamine to give yellow crystalline blocks of polymeric {Hg^II[NNN(PhR)₂]₂}_n (R = NO₂, F). The new triazenide complex belongs to the triclinic space group . In a molecule of {Hg^II[NNN(PhR)₂]₂} two deprotonated 1,3-diaryl-substituted triazenide ligands are coordinated in an opposite way to one Hg(II) ion by means of primary and secondary bonds. The Hg(II) ions are placed on the inversion centers of translation operated {Hg[NNN(PhR)₂]₂} moieties which are stacked along the crystallographic a-axis forming infinite unidimensional chains linked through metalocene alike Hg-η²,η²-arene π-interactions.     

A Rotaxane‐like Cage‐in‐Ring Structural Motif for a Metallosupramolecular Pd6L12 Aggregate

A BODIPY‐based bis(3‐pyridyl) ligand undergoes self‐assembly upon coordination to tetravalent palladium(II) cations to form a Pd₆L₁₂ metallosupramolecular assembly with an unprecedented structural motif that resembles a rotaxane‐like cage‐in‐ring arrangement. In this assembly the ligand adopts two different conformations—a C‐shaped one to form a Pd₂L₄ cage which is located in the center of a Pd₄L₈ ring consisting of ligands in a W‐shaped conformation. This assembly is not mechanically interlocked in the sense of catenation but it is stabilized only by attractive π‐stacking between the peripheral BODIPY chromophores and the ligands’ skeleton as well as attractive van der Waals interactions between the long alkoxy chains. As a result, the co‐arrangement of the two components leads to a very efficient space filling. The overall structure can be described as a rotaxane‐like assembly with a metallosupramolecular cage forming the axle in a metallosupramolecular ring. This unique structural motif could be characterized via ESI mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography.