π-Extended Helical Multilayer Nanographenes with Layer-Dependent Chiroptical Properties.

Helical nanographenes (NGs) have attracted increasing attention recently because of their intrinsic chirality and exotic chiroptical properties. However, the efficient synthesis of extended helical NGs featuring a multilayer topology is still underdeveloped, and their layer-dependent chiroptical properties remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrate a modular synthetic strategy to construct a series of novel helical NGs (1-3) with a multilayer topology through a consecutive Diels-Alder reaction and regioselective cyclodehydrogenation from the readily accessible phenanthrene-based precursors bearing ethynyl groups. The resultant NGs exhibit bilayer, trilayer, and tetralayer structures with elongated π extension and rigid helical backbones, as unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray or electron diffraction analysis. We find that the photophysical properties of these helical NGs are notably influenced by the degree of π extension, which varies with the number of layers, leading to obvious redshifted absorption, a fast rising molar extinction coefficient (ε), and markedly boosted fluorescence quantum yield (Φf). Moreover, the embedded [7]helicene subunits in these NGs result in stable chirality, enabling both chiral resolution and exploration of their layer-dependent chiroptical properties. Profiting from the good alignment of electric and magnetic dipole moments determined by the multilayer structure, the resultant NGs exhibit excellent circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence response with unprecedented high CPL brightness up to 168 M-1 cm-1, rendering them promising candidates for CPL emitters.

The Elusive Structure of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Determined by Electron Diffraction.

Levocetirizine is an orally administrated, second-generation antihistaminic active pharmaceutical ingredient that has been used to treat symptoms of allergy and long-term hives for over 25 years. Despite the wide use of this compound, its crystal structure has remained unknown. Here we report the application of 3D electron diffraction (3D ED)/Micro-crystal electron diffraction (MicroED) to determine the crystal structure of Levocetirizine dihydrochloride directly from crystalline powders that were extracted from commercially available tablets containing the compound. We also showcase the utility of dynamical refinement to unambiguously assign absolute configuration. The results highlight the immense potential of 3D ED/MicroED for structure elucidation of components of microcrystalline mixtures that obviates the need to grow large-size single crystals and the use of complementary analytical techniques, which could be important for identification as well as for primary structural characterization.

Trapping X-ray Radiation Damage from Homolytic Se-C Bond Cleavage in BnSeSeBn Crystals (Bn=benzyl, CH2 C6 H5 ).

Irradiation of dibenzyl diselenide BnSeSeBn with X-ray or UV-light cleaves the Se-C and the Se-Se bonds, inducing stable and metastable radical states. They are inevitably important to all natural and life sciences. Structural changes due to X-ray-induced Se-C bond-cleavage could be pin-pointed in various high-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments for the first time. Extended DFT methods were applied to characterize the solid-state structure and support the refinement of the observed residuals as contributions from the BnSeSe⋅ radical species. The X-ray or UV-irradiated crystalline samples of BnSeSeBn were characterized by solid-state EPR. This paper provides insight that in the course of X-ray structure analysis of selenium compounds not only organo-selenide radicals like RSe⋅ may occur, but also organo diselenide BnSeSe⋅ radicals and organic radicals R⋅ are generated, particularly important to know in structural biology.

Discrete, Cationic Palladium(II)-Oxo Clusters via f-Metal Ion Incorporation and their Macrocyclic Host-Guest Interactions with Sulfonatocalixarenes.

We report on the discovery of the first two examples of cationic palladium(II)-oxo clusters (POCs) containing f-metal ions, [PdII6 O12 M8 {(CH3 )2 AsO2 }16 (H2 O)8 ]4+ (M=CeIV , ThIV ), and their physicochemical characterization in the solid state, in solution and in the gas phase. The molecular structure of the two novel POCs comprises an octahedral {Pd6 O12 }12- core that is capped by eight MIV ions, resulting in a cationic, cubic assembly {Pd6 O12 MIV8 }20+ , which is coordinated by a total of 16 terminal dimethylarsinate and eight water ligands, resulting in the mixed PdII -CeIV /ThIV oxo-clusters [PdII6 O12 M8 {(CH3 )2 AsO2 }16 (H2 O)8 ]4+ (M=Ce, Pd6 Ce8 ; Th, Pd6 Th8 ). We have also studied the formation of host-guest inclusion complexes of Pd6 Ce8 and Pd6 Th8 with anionic 4-sulfocalix[n]arenes (n=4, 6, 8), resulting in the first examples of discrete, enthalpically-driven supramolecular assemblies between large metal-oxo clusters and calixarene-based macrocycles. The POCs were also found to be useful as pre-catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 -reduction and HCOOH-oxidation.

Two Structurally Characterized Conformational Isomers with Different C-P Bonds.

The cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC) bonded chlorophosphinidene (cAAC)P-Cl (2/2') was isolated from the direct reaction between cAAC and phosphorus trichloride (PCl3 ). Compound 2/2' has been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. 31 P NMR investigations [δ≈160 ppm (major) and δ≈130 ppm (minor)] reveal that there are two different P environments of the P-Cl unit. X-ray single-crystal determination suggests a co-crystallization of two conformational isomers of (cAAC)P-Cl (2/2'); the major compound possessing a cAAC-PCl unit with CcAAC -P 1.75 Å. This C-P bond length is very close to that of (NHC)2 P2 [NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene]. The residual density can be interpreted as a conformational isomer with a shorter CcAAC -P bond similar to a non-conjugated phosphaalkene [R-P=CR2 ]. Our study shows an unprecedented example of two conformational isomers with different Ccarbene -element bonds. Additionally, Br (3c/3c'), I (4c/4c'), and H (5c/5c') analogues [(Me2 -cAAC)P-X; X=Br (3), I (4), H (5)] of 2c/2c'[(Me2 -cAAC)P-Cl] were also synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy suggesting similar equilibrium in solution. The unique property of cAAC and the required electronegativity of the X (X=Cl, Br, I, and H) atom play a crucial role for the existence of the two isomers which were further studied by theoretical calculations.

Activation of Elemental Sulfur at a Two-Coordinate Platinum(0) Center.

Platinum dichalcogenides have been known to exhibit two-dimensional layered structures. Herein, we describe the syntheses, isolation, and characterization of air-stable crystalline cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC)-supported monomeric platinum disulfide three-membered ring complex [(cAAC)2 Pt(S2 )] (2). The highly reactive platinum(0) [(cAAC)2 Pt] complex (1) with two-coordinate platinum activates elemental sulfur to give 2. The brown crystals of bis-carbene platinum(II)monosulfate [(cAAC)2 Pt(SO4 )x (S2 )1-x ] (4) have been isolated when the reaction was performed in air. The dioxygen analogue of 2 was formed upon exposing the THF solution of 1 to aerial oxygen (O2 ). The binding of oxygen at the Pt(0) center was found to be reversible. Additionally, DFT study has been performed to elucidate the electronic structure and bonding scenario of 2, 3, and 4. Quantum chemical calculations showed donor-acceptor-type interaction for the Pt-S bonds in 2 and Pt-O bonds in 3 and 4.

Insertion of Cyclic Alkyl(amino) Carbene into the Si-H Bonds of Hydrochlorosilanes.

Carbenes are known for their ability to abstract HCl from hydrochlorosilanes to form carbene hydrochloride adducts. In contrast, the Si-H bond insertion products RSiCl2(cAACH) (2, 4, 6, and 8) have been formed in the reaction of RSiHCl2 [R = Ar(SiMe3)N (1), Cp* (3), PhC(NtBu)2 (5), Cl (7); Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3] with a cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC:) irrespective of the steric demand of the R group. The new products have been characterized by various analytical tools including X-ray crystallography, electron ionization mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical investigations have also been performed to understand why cAAC prefers insertion into the Si-H bond rather than the dehydrohalogenation pathway.

Selective photoinduced charge separation in perylenediimide-pillar[5]arene rotaxanes.

The ability to control photoinduced charge transfer within molecules represents a major challenge requiring precise control of the relative positioning and orientation of donor and acceptor groups. Here we show that such photoinduced charge transfer processes within homo- and hetero-rotaxanes can be controlled through organisation of the components of the mechanically interlocked molecules, introducing alternative pathways for electron donation. Specifically, studies of two rotaxanes are described: a homo[3]rotaxane, built from a perylenediimide diimidazolium rod that threads two pillar[5]arene macrocycles, and a hetero[4]rotaxane in which an additional bis(1,5-naphtho)-38-crown-10 (BN38C10) macrocycle encircles the central perylenediimide. The two rotaxanes are characterised by a combination of techniques including electron diffraction crystallography in the case of the hetero[4]rotaxane. Cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry, and EPR spectroscopy are employed to establish the behaviour of the redox states of both rotaxanes and these data are used to inform photophysical studies using time-resolved infra-red (TRIR) and transient absorption (TA) spectroscopies. The latter studies illustrate the formation of a symmetry-breaking charge-separated state in the case of the homo[3]rotaxane in which charge transfer between the pillar[5]arene and perylenediimide is observed involving only one of the two macrocyclic components. In the case of the hetero[4]rotaxane charge separation is observed involving only the BN38C10 macrocycle and the perylenediimide leaving the pillar[5]arene components unperturbed.

Validation of experimental charge-density refinement strategies: when do we overfit?

A cross-validation method is supplied to judge between various strategies in multipole refinement procedures. Its application enables straightforward detection of whether the refinement of additional parameters leads to an improvement in the model or an overfitting of the given data. For all tested data sets it was possible to prove that the multipole parameters of atoms in comparable chemical environments should be constrained to be identical. In an automated approach, this method additionally delivers parameter distributions of k different refinements. These distributions can be used for further error diagnostics, e.g. to detect erroneously defined parameters or incorrectly determined reflections. Visualization tools show the variation in the parameters. These different refinements also provide rough estimates for the standard deviation of topological parameters.

Facile routes to abnormal-NHC-cobalt(ii) complexes.

Deprotonation of [IPrPh]I (1) with Co{N(SiMe3)2}2 readily affords the abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) complex (aIPrPh)2CoI2 (2) (aIPrPh = 1,3-bis(2,6-iPr2C6H3)-2-phenyl-imidazol-4-ylidene). Treatment of 1 with NaHBEt3 yields (aIPrPh)BEt3 (3) that serves as an aNHC-transfer agent and yields (aIPrPh)Co{N(SiMe3)2}2 (4) on reaction with Co{N(SiMe3)2}2.

Normal-to-abnormal rearrangement of an N-heterocyclic carbene with a silylene transition metal complex.

The synthesis and characterization of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized dichlorosilylene Group 6 metal complexes {(IPr)SiCl2}W(CO)5 (3-W), {(IPr)SiCl2}2Cr(CO)4 (4-Cr), and {(IPr)SiCl2}2W(CO)4 (4-W) (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) are reported. Treatment of 3-W with CsOH in the presence of IPr leads to the formation of an abnormal-NHC (aNHC) metal complex (aIPrH)W(CO)5 (6-W) (aIPrH = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-4-ylidene), unveiling an unprecedented normal-to-abnormal transformation route of an NHC. DFT calculations support the proposed mechanism that involves CsOH mediated deprotonation of the IPr-backbone of 3-W to yield a ditopic carbanionic-NHC (dcNHC) complex 5a-W. Subsequent 1,4-migration of the W(CO)5 moiety and hydrolysis of the unmasked SiCl2 rationalize the formation of 6-W. The desired H2O molecule is generated in the initial step on deprotonation of IPr with CsOH. In contrast to the literature precedents, the calculations indicate that the abnormal complex 6-W is 13.5 kcal mol-1 thermodynamically higher in energy than the normal counterpart (IPr)W(CO)5 (8-W). Interestingly, as the aNHC-compounds reported so far are more stable than their normal counterparts, this finding showcases an opposite trend. Moreover, reaction pathways to the synthesized and related complexes have been investigated by DFT calculations.

Mono- and di-cationic hydrido boron compounds.

Brønsted acid HNTf2 (Tf = SO2CF3) mediated dehydrogenative hydride abstraction from (L(1))BH3 () and (L(2))BH3 () (L(1) = IPrCH2 = 1,3-(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-methylidene (); L(2) = SIPrCH2 = 1,3-(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazolidin-2-methylidiene ()) affords thermally stable hydride bridged mono-cationic hydrido boron compounds [{(L(1))BH2}2(µ-H)](NTf2) () and [{(L(2))BH2}2(µ-H)](NTf2) (). Furthermore, hydride abstraction yields di-cationic hydrido boron compounds [{(L(1))BH}2(µ-H)2](NTf2)2 () and [{(L(2))BH}2(µ-H)2](NTf2)2 (). Unique cationic boron compounds with CH2BH2(µ-H)BH2CH2 ( and ) and CH2BH(µ-H)2BHCH2 ( and ) moieties feature a 3c-2e bond and have been fully characterized. Interesting electronic and structural features of compounds are analysed using spectroscopic, crystallographic, and computational methods.