Pyrazole-Mediated C-H Functionalization of Arene and Heteroarenes for Aryl-(Hetero)aryl Cross-Coupling Reactions.

Herein we introduce a transition-metal-free protocol that involves a commercially available, inexpensive pyrazole molecule to conduct C-C cross-coupling reactions at room temperature via a radical pathway. Using this method, an aryldiazonium salt has been coupled to a wide range of arenes and heteroarenes including benzene, mesitylene, thiophene, furan, benzoxazole to result the corresponding biaryl products. The full reaction mechanism is elucidated along with the crystallographic probation of an active initiator species. A potassium-stabilized deprotonated pyrazole steers single-electron transfer to the substrate and behaves as an initiator for the reaction.

Structural investigation of N-[2-(4-fluoro-3-phen-oxy-benzo-yl)hydrazinecarbo-thio-yl]benzamide and N-[2-(4-fluoro-3-phen-oxy-benzo-yl)hydrazinecarbo-thio-yl]-4-meth-oxy-benzamide.

The compound N-[2-(4-fluoro-3-phen-oxy-benzo-yl)hydrazinecarbo-thio-yl]benzamide, C21H16FN3O3S, crystallizes in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P21/c and its mol-ecular conformation is stabilized via an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond. The corresponding para-meth-oxy derivative, namely, N-[2-(4-fluoro-3-phen-oxy-benzo-yl)hydrazinecarbo-thio-yl]-4-meth-oxy-benzamide, C22H18FN3O4S, crystallizes in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group C2/c. The supra-molecular network mainly comprises N-H⋯O, N-H⋯S and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which contribute towards the formation of the crystal structures for the two mol-ecules. The different inter-molecular inter-actions have been further analysed using Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots.

Ferroelectricity-Driven Self-Powered Ultraviolet Photodetection with Strong Polarization Sensitivity in a Two-Dimensional Halide Hybrid Perovskite.

Polarization-sensitive ultraviolet (UV) photodetection is highly indispensable in military and civilian applications and has been demonstrated with various wide-band photodetectors. However, it still remains elusive to achieve the self-powered devices, which can be operated in the absence of external bias. Herein, for the first time, ferroelectricity-driven self-powered photodetection towards polarized UV light was successfully demonstrated in a 2D wide-band gap hybrid ferroelectric (BPA)2 PbBr4 (BPA=3-bromopropylammonium) (1). We found that the prominent spontaneous polarization in 1 results in a bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) of 0.85 V, that independently drives photoexcited carriers separation and transport and thus supports self-powered ability. This self-powered detector shows strong polarization sensitivity to linearly polarized UV illumination with a polarization ratio up to 6.8, which is superior to that of previously reported UV-polarized photodetectors (ZnO, GaN, and GeS2 ).

Exploring a lead-free organic-inorganic semiconducting hybrid with above-room-temperature dielectric phase transition.

Recently, organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskites have attracted great attention for optoelectronic applications, such as light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics and optoelectronics. Meanwhile, the flexible organic components of these compounds give rise to a large variety of important functions, such as dielectric phase transitions. However, those containing Pb are harmful to the environment in vast quantities. Herein, a lead-free organic-inorganic hybrid, (C6H14N)2BiCl5 (CHA; C6H14N+ is cyclohexylaminium), has been successfully developed. As expected, CHA exhibits an above-room-temperature solid phase transition at 325 K (T c), which was confirmed by the differential scanning calorimetry measurement and variable temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Further analyses indicate the phase transition is mainly governed by the order-disorder transformation of organic cyclohexylaminium cations. Interestingly, during the process of phase transition, the dielectric constant (ε') of CHA shows an obvious step-like anomaly, which displays a low dielectric constant state below T c and a high dielectric constant state above T c. Furthermore, variable temperature conductivity combined with theoretical calculations demonstrate the notable semiconducting feature of CHA. It is believed that our work will provide useful strategies for exploring lead-free organic-inorganic semiconducting hybrid materials with above room temperature dielectric phase transitions.

Crystal packing analysis of in situ cryocrystallized 2,2,2-tri-fluoro-aceto-phenone.

Crystals of the liquid compound 2,2,2-tri-fluoro-aceto-phenone (TFAP, C8H5F3O) were obtained using the state-of-art in situ cryocrystallization technique. TFAP crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, and its crystal structure is mainly stabilized by a set of C-H⋯F, C-H⋯O, F⋯F and F⋯O supra-molecular contacts. The overall mol-ecular arrangement shows the formation of mol-ecular sheets parallel to the bc plane, which are in turn stacked along the a-axis direction. The weak inter-actions have been studied thoroughly, performing both a Hirshfeld surface analysis and theoretical calculations, to obtain the inter-molecular inter-action energies. A structural comparison of this compound with the previously reported substituted analogs was also carried out, showing a qualitative difference in terms of packing behaviour.

Quantitative analysis of solid-state diversity in trifluoromethylated phenylhydrazones.

The cooperative roles of various structural motifs associated with the presence of different intermolecular interactions in the formation of molecular crystals are investigated in a series of trifluoromethylated phenylhydrazones. Out of the six compounds analysed, two exhibit three-dimensional structural similarities with geometrically equivalent building blocks, while a third exists as two polymorphic forms crystallized from ethanol solutions at low temperature (277 K) and room temperature (298 K), respectively. The compounds were characterized via single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques and differential scanning calorimetry. In the absence of any strong hydrogen bonding, the supramolecular constructs are primarily stabilized via molecular pairs with a high dispersion-energy contribution, due to the presence of molecular stacking along the molecular backbone along with C-H...π interactions in the solid state, in preference to an electrostatic contribution. The interaction energies for the most stabilizing molecular building blocks are in the range -29 to -43 kJ mol-1. In addition, weak N-H...F, C-H...F and N-H...C interactions and F...F, F...C, F...N and C...N contacts act as secondary motifs, providing additional stability to the crystal packing. The overall molecular arrangements are carefully analysed in terms of their nature and energetics, and the roles of different molecular pairs towards the crystal structure are delineated. A topological study using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules was used to characterize all the atomic interactions in the solid state. It established the presence of (3, -1) bond critical points and the closed-shell nature of all the interactions.

Investigation of Chemical Bonding in In Situ Cryocrystallized Organometallic Liquids.

This Communication presents the crystal structure of the organometallic complexes (η4 -1,3-cyclohexadiene) iron tricarbonyl (I) and (methyl cyclopentadienyl) manganese tricarbonyl (II) which are both liquid at room temperature. The crystal structures were determined using a state-of-the-art in situ cryocrystallization technique. The bonding features were elucidated using topological analysis of charge density in the framework of quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and theoretical charge density analysis (multipolar refinement), to decipher the metal-carbonyl, metal-olefin and metal-carbocyclic ligand interactions in these complexes. Complex I displayed a simultaneous interplay of a "synergic effect" (σ-donation and π-back-bonding in the metal and an end-on coordinated carbonyl interaction) as well as consistency with the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson (DCD) model (metal and side-on coordinated π-ligand interactions).

Characterization of fluorine-centred `F...O' σ-hole interactions in the solid state.

In the current study, the crystal structure of 1-(3-nitrophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanone (A1) and (E)-4-((4-fluorophenyl) diazenyl)phenol (A2) has been analyzed for the characterization of the presence of a `unique' and `rare' intermolecular C(sp3/sp2)-F...O contact, which has been observed to play a significant role in the crystal packing. Theoretical charge-density calculations have been performed to study the nature and strength associated with the existence of this intermolecular F...O contact, wherein the F atom is attached to an sp3-hybridized C atom in the case of A1 and to an sp2 hybridized carbon in the case of A2. The crystal packing of the former contains two `electronically different' Csp3-F...O contacts which are present across and in between the layers of molecules. In the latter case, it is characterized by the presence of a very `short' (2.708 Å) and `highly directional' (168° at ∠C4-F1...O1 and 174° at ∠C10-O1...F1) Csp2-F...O contact. According to the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) study, it is a rare example in molecular crystals. Topological features of F...O contacts in the solid state were compared with the gas-phase models. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional static deformation density obtained from theoretical multipole modeling confirm the presence of a charge depleted region on the F atoms. Minimization of the electrostatic repulsion between like charges are observed through subtle arrangements in the electronic environment in two of the short intermolecular F...O contacts. These contacts were investigated using inputs from pair energy decomposition analysis, Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), Hirshfeld surface analysis, delocalization index, reduced density gradient (RDG) plot, electrostatic potential surface and distributed atomic polarizability. The intermolecular energy decomposition (PIXEL) and RDG-NCI (non-covalent interaction) analysis of the F...O contacts establish the interaction to be dispersive in nature. The mutual polarization of an O atom by fluorine and vice versa provides real physical insights into the role of atomic polarizability in interacting atoms in molecules in crystals.

Energy frameworks and a topological analysis of the supramolecular features in in situ cryocrystallized liquids: tuning the weak interaction landscape via fluorination.

Weak intermolecular interactions observed in crystalline materials are often influenced or forced by stronger interactions such as classical hydrogen bonds. Room temperature liquids offer a scenario where such strong interactions are absent so that the role and nature of the weak interactions can be studied more reliably. In this context, we have analyzed the common organic reagent benzoyl chloride (BC) and a series of its fluorinated derivatives using in situ cryocrystallography. The intermolecular interaction energies have been estimated and their topologies explored using energy framework analysis in a series of ten benzoyl chloride analogues, which reveal that the ππ stacking interactions serve as the primary building blocks in these crystal structures. The crystal packing is also stabilized by a variety of interaction motifs involving weak C-HO/F/Cl hydrogen bonds and FF, FCl, and ClCl interactions. It is found that fluorination alters the electrostatic nature of the benzoyl chlorides, with subsequent changes in the formation of different weak interaction motifs. The effects of fluorination on these weak intermolecular interactions have been systematically analyzed further via detailed inputs from a topological analysis of the electron density and Hirshfeld surface analysis.

"Conformational lock"via unusual intramolecular C-FO[double bond, length as m-dash]C and C-HCl-C parallel dipoles observed in in situ cryocrystallized liquids.

We report an unusual intramolecular C-FO[double bond, length as m-dash]C and C-HCl-C parallel dipole-dipole alignment which "locks" the molecular conformation of cryocrystallized liquids towards planarity where the diatropic ring current establishes the existence of aromaticity in the five-membered ring associated with FO contact. Topological analysis establishes the bonding interaction between [F, O] and [H, Cl].

'Quasi-isostructural polymorphism' in molecular crystals: inputs from interaction hierarchy and energy frameworks.

The polymorphs of (Z)-2-fluoro-N'-phenyl benzamidamide with multiple Z' produce quasi-isostructural supramolecular architectures, wherein C-H···F interaction plays a significant role. The energy framework analysis indicates 2D structural similarities in the interaction topologies of these crystalline forms. The results point to a unique class of 'quasi-isostructural polymorphs' which are nearly equi-energetic crystal structures exhibiting high degrees of similarity in physical properties.

First example of a modular porphyrinoid assembly capable of stabilizing different metal ions in a single molecular scaffold.

We report the synthesis and characterization of porphyrin-corrole-porphyrin (Por-Cor-Por) hybrids directly linked at the meso-meso positions for the first time. The stability and solubility of the trimer are carefully balanced by adding electron-withdrawing substituents to the corrole ring and sterically bulky groups on the porphyrins. The new hybrids are capable of stabilizing more than one metal ion in a single molecular scaffold. The versatility of the triad has been demonstrated by successfully stabilizing homo- (Ni) and heterotrinuclear (Ni-Cu-Ni) coordination motifs. The solid-state structure of the NiPor-CuCor-PorNi hybrid was revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The Ni(II) porphyrins are significantly ruffled and tilted by 83° from the plane of corrole. The robustness of the synthesized hybrids was reflected in the electrochemical investigations and the redox behaviour of the hybrids show that the oxidation processes are mostly corrole-centred. In particular it is worth noting that the Por-Cor-Por hybrid can further be manipulated due to the presence of substituent-free meso-positions on both the terminals.

Synthesis of air- and moisture-stable, storable chiral oxorhenium complexes and their application as catalysts for the enantioselective imine reduction.

Air-/moisture-stable, crystalline, and storable chiral salicyloxazoline based oxorhenium(V) complexes have been synthesized and their catalytic application for the asymmetric reduction of ketimines using hydrosilane as hydride source is disclosed. A broad substrate scope, high yields, and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 %) are attained. Furthermore, the syntheses of enantiopure α-amino esters, γ- and δ-lactams, and isoindolinones have also been carried out using this methodology. Finally, the method has been applied to synthetic targets of pharmaceutical relevance, such as R-(+)-salsolidine and R-(+)-crispine A.

Acid-catalyzed reactions of 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles with electron-rich substrates: synthesis of 2-oxindoles with all-carbon quaternary center.

A Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of in situ generated 2H-indol-2-one () with various 2π and other electron-rich substrates has been developed. A variety of electron-rich substrates such as allyl/methallyltrimethylsilane, phenylacetylene, styrenes, acetophenone, and indoles have been used. The methodology provides a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 2-oxindoles with an all-carbon quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position.

Expeditious approach to pyrrolophenanthridones, phenanthridines, and benzo[c]phenanthridines via organocatalytic direct biaryl-coupling promoted by potassium tert-butoxide.

A methodology involving a "transition metal-free" intramolecular biaryl-coupling of o-halo-N-arylbenzylamines has been developed in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide and an organic molecule as catalyst. The reaction appears to proceed through KO(t)Bu-promoted intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS). Interestingly, this biaryl coupling also works in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide as sole promoter. On extending our approach further, we found that N-acyl 2-bromo-N-arylbenzylamines undergo a one-pot N-deprotection/biaryl coupling followed by oxidation, thus offering an expeditious route to the phenanthridine and benzo[c]phenanthridine skeletons. The strategy has been applied to a concise synthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids viz. oxoassoanine (1b), anhydrolycorinone (1d), 5,6-dihydrobicolorine (2d), trispheridine (2b), and benzo[c]phenanthridines alkaloids dihydronitidine (3b), dihydrochelerythidine (3d), dihydroavicine (3f), nornitidine (3h), and norchelerythrine (3j).

DDQ-mediated direct intramolecular-dehydrogenative-coupling (IDC): expeditious approach to the tetracyclic core of ergot alkaloids.

An efficient route to 2-oxindoles bearing an all-carbon quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position has been developed via a DDQ-mediated Intramolecular-Dehydrogenative-Coupling (IDC). The methodology involves a one-pot C-alkylation of ß-N-arylamido esters (7) concomitant with dehydrogenative-coupling in the presence of stoichiometric amount of DDQ. A tentative mechanistic route has been proposed for the oxidative coupling. The methodology provides a two-step entry to the ergoline structure of ergot alkaloids.