Strain-Controlled Spin Transition in Heterostructured Metal-Organic Framework Thin Film.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films have recently attracted much attention as a new platform for surface/interface research, where unconventional structural and physical properties emerge. Among the many MOFs as candidates for fabrication of thin films, Hofmann-type MOFs {Fe(pz)[M(CN)4]} [pz = pyrazine; M = Ni (Nipz), M = Pt (Ptpz)] are attractive, because they undergo spin transitions with concomitant structural changes. Here, we demonstrate the first example of a strain-controlled spin transition in heterostructured MOF thin films. The spin transition temperature of Ptpz can be controlled in the temperature range of 300-380 K by fabricating a nanometer-sized heterostructured thin film with a Nipz buffer layer, where the smaller lattice of Nipz causes epitaxial compressive strain to the Ptpz layer. The fabricated heterostructured thin film exhibited a remarkable increase in spin transition temperature with a dynamic structural transformation, confirmed by variable-temperature (VT) X-ray diffraction and VT Raman spectroscopy. By verifying interfacial strain in a heterostructured thin film, we can rationally control the characteristics of MOFs-not only spin transition but also various physical properties such as gas storage, catalysis, sensing, proton conductivity, and electrical properties, among others.

Chiral crystallization of a zinc(II) complex.

The compound, {6,6'-dimeth-oxy-2,2'-[(4-azaheptane-1,7-di-yl)bis-(nitrilo-meth-an-yl-idyne)]diphenolato}zinc(II) methanol monosolvate, [Zn(C22H27N3O4)]·CH3OH, at 298 K crystallizes in the ortho-rhom-bic space group Pna21. The Zn atom is coordinated by a penta-dentate Schiff base ligand in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal N3O2 geometry. The equatorial plane is formed by the two phenolic O and one amine N atom. The axial positions are occupied by two amine N atoms. The distorted bipyramidal geometry is also supported by the trigonality index (τ), which is found to be 0.85 for the mol-ecule. In the crystal, methanol solvent mol-ecule is connected to the complex mol-ecule by an O-H⋯O hydrogen bond and the complex mol-ecules are connected by weak supra-molecular inter-actions, so achiral mol-ecules generate a chiral crystal. The Hirshfeld surface analysis suggests that H⋯H contacts account for the largest percentage of all inter-actions.

Crystallographic and Computational Electron Density of dx2-y2 Orbitals of Azo-Schiff Base Metal Complexes Using Conventional Programs.

The crystal structures of two azobenzene derivative Schiff base metal complexes (new C44H40CuN6O2 of P-1 and known C44H38MnN6O7 of P21/c abbreviated as Cu and Mn, respectively) were (re-)determined experimentally using conventional X-ray analysis to obtain electron density using a PLATON program. Cu affords a four-coordinated square planar geometry, while Mn affords a hexa-coordinated distorted octahedral geometry whose apical sites are occupied by an acetate ion and water ligands, which are associated with hydrogen bonds. The π-π or CH-π and hydrogen bonding intermolecular interactions were found in both crystals, which were also analyzed using a Hirshfeld surface analysis program. To compare these results with experimental results, a density functional theory (DFT) calculation was also carried out based on the crystal structures to obtain calculated electron density using a conventional Gaussian program. These results revealed that the axial Mn-O coordination bonds of Mn were relatively weaker than the in-plane M-N or M-O coordination bonds.

Success or Failure of Chiral Crystallization of Similar Heterocyclic Compounds.

Single crystals of two achiral and planar heterocyclic compounds, C9H8H3O(CA1) and C8H5NO2 (CA4), recrystallized from ethanol, were characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, respectively, and chiral crystallization was observed only for CA1 as P212121 (# 19), whereas it was not observed for CA4P21/c (# 14). In CA1, as a monohydrate, the hydrogen bonds were pronounced around the water of crystallization (O4), and the planar cyclic sites were arranged in parallel to slightly tilted positions. On the other hand, an anhydride CA4 formed a dimer by hydrogen bonds between adjacent molecules in the crystal, which were aggregated by van der Waals forces and placed in parallel planar cyclic sites.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (aqua-κO)(methanol-κO)[N-(2-oxido-benzyl-idene)threoninato-κ3 O,N,O']copper(II).

In the title complex mol-ecule, [Cu(C11H11NO4)(CH4O)(H2O)], the Cu atom is coordinated in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry by a tridentate ligand synthesized from l-threonine and salicyl-aldehyde, one methanol mol-ecule and one water mol-ecule. In the crystal, the mol-ecules show intra- and inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the packing are H⋯H (49.4%) and H⋯O/O⋯H (31.3%) contacts.

Degradation of Human Serum Albumin by Infrared Free Electron Laser Enhanced by Inclusion of a Salen-Type Schiff Base Zn (II) Complex.

A salen-type Schiff base Zn(II) complex included in human serum albumin (HSA) protein was examined by UV-Vis, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence (PL) spectra. The formation of the composite material was also estimated by a GOLD program of ligand-protein docking simulation. A composite cast film of HSA and Zn(II) complex was prepared, and the effects of the docking of the metal complex on the degradation of protein molecules by mid-infrared free electron laser (IR-FEL) were investigated. The optimum wavelengths of IR-FEL irradiation to be used were based on experimental FT-IR spectra and vibrational analysis. Using TD-DFT results with 6-31G(d,p) and B3LYP, the IR spectrum of Zn(II) complex could be reasonably assigned. The respective wavelengths were 1652 cm-1 (HSA amide I), 1537 cm-1 (HSA amide II), and 1622 cm-1 (Zn(II) complex C=N). Degradation of HSA based on FT-IR microscope (IRM) analysis and protein secondary structure analysis program (IR-SSE) revealed that the composite material was degraded more than pure HSA or Zn(II) complex; the inclusion of Zn(II) complex enhanced destabilization of folding of HSA.

Investigation by DFT Methods of the Damage of Human Serum Albumin Including Amino Acid Derivative Schiff Base Zn(II) Complexes by IR-FEL Irradiation.

An infrared free electron laser (IR-FEL) can decompose aggregated proteins by excitation of vibrational bands. In this study, we prepared hybrid materials of protein (human serum albumin; HSA) including several new Schiff base Zn(II) complexes incorporating amino acid (alanine and valine) or dipeptide (gly-gly) derivative moieties, which were synthesized and characterized with UV-vis, circular dichroism (CD), and IR spectra. Density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations were also performed to investigate vibrational modes of the Zn(II) complexes. An IR-FEL was used to irradiate HSA as well as hybrid materials of HSA-Zn(II) complexes at wavelengths corresponding to imine C=N, amide I, and amide II bands. Analysis of secondary structures suggested that including a Zn(II) complex into HSA led to the structural change of HSA, resulting in a more fragile structure than the original HSA. The result was one of the characteristic features of vibrational excitation of IR-FEL in contrast to electronic excitation by UV or visible light.

Three closely related 1-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-4-(halobenzo-yl)piperazines: similar mol-ecular structures but different inter-molecular inter-actions.

In each of the compounds 1-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-4-(3-fluoro-benzo-yl)piperazine, C19H19FN2O3 (I), 1-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-4-(2,6-di-fluoro-benzo-yl)piperazine, C19H18F2N2O3 (II), and 1-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl]-4-(2,4-di-chloro-benzo-yl)piperazine, C19H19Cl2N2O3 (III), the piperazine rings adopt a chair conformation with the (1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methyl substituent occupying an equatorial site: the five-membered rings are all slightly folded across the O⋯O line leading to envelope conformations. The dihedral angle between the planar amidic fragment and the haloaryl ring is 62.97 (5)° in (I) but 77.72 (12)° and 75.50 (5)° in (II) and (III), respectively. Despite their similarity in constitution and conformation, the supra-molecular inter-actions in (I)-(III) differ: in (I), a combination of C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π(arene) hydrogen bonds links the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional framework structure, but there are no hydrogen bonds of any sort in either (II) or (III), although the structure of (III) contains a short Cl⋯Cl contact between inversion-related pairs of mol-ecules.

Co-crystallization of 3,5-di-nitro-benzoic acid with two anti-psychotic agents: a simple 1:1 salt with trihexyphenidyl and a 1:2 acid salt containing a very short O-H⋯O hydrogen bond with chlorprothixene.

Co-crystallization of racemic 1-cyclo-hexyl-1-phenyl-3-(piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-ol (trihexyphenid-yl) with 3,5-di-nitro-benzoic acid gives a simple 1:1 salt, namely 1-(3-cyclo-hexyl-3-hy-droxy-3-phenyl-prop-yl)piperidin-1-ium 3,5-di-nitro-benzoate, C20H32NO+·C7H3N2O6 -, (I), whereas a similar co-crystallization using (Z)-3-(2-chloro-9H-thioxanthen-9-yl)-N,N-di-methyl-propan-1-amine (chlorprothixene) gives a 1:2 acid salt, namely (Z)-3-(2-chloro-9H-thioxanthen-9-yl)-N,N-di-methyl-propan-1-aminium hydrogen bis-(3,5-di-nitro-benzoate), C18H19ClNS+·[H(C7H3N2O6)2]-, (II), the anion of which contains a very short O-H⋯O hydrogen bond, with dimensions O-H = 1.04 (3) Å, H⋯O = 1.41 (3) Å, O⋯O = 2.4197 (15) Šand O-H⋯O = 161 (3)°. In the cation of (I), the cyclo-hexyl and piperidyl rings both adopt chair conformations, whereas in the cation of (II), the central heterocyclic ring adopts a boat conformation, so that the dihedral angle between the two aryl rings is 41.56 (4)°. A combination of O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds links the ions of (I) into a complex chain of rings, and these chains are linked into sheets by π-π stacking inter-actions between inversion-related pairs of anions. In compound (II), a different combination of O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds links the ions into sheets. Comparisons are made with some related structures.

Crystal structure of (E)-3-[(2,6-di-methyl-phen-yl)diazen-yl]-7-methyl-1H-indazole.

The title azo compound, C16H16N4, was synthesized from 2,6-di-methyl-aniline. The diazenyl group adopts a trans (E) conformation, with an N=N bond length of 1.265 (4) Å. The pyrazole ring is approximately planar. In the crystal, zigzag chains along the b-axis direction with a C(3) is graph-set motif are formed by N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds involving the pyrazole moiety.

Crystal structure of 3,6-dihy-droxy-4,5-di-methyl-benzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde.

The title compound, C10H10O4, was synthesized from tetra-methyl-1,4-benzo-quinone. In the crystal, the almost planar mol-ecule (r.m.s. deviation = 0.024 Å) forms intra-molecular hydrogen bonds between the aldehyde and hy-droxy groups and exhibits C 2v symmetry. This achiral mol-ecule crystallizes in the chiral space group P21 with inter-molecular O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding and C-H⋯π and C=O⋯π inter-actions stabilizing the crystal packing.

A highly crystalline oriented metal-organic framework thin film with an inorganic pillar.

We report a step-by-step route to fabricate the first example of a crystalline oriented metal-organic framework thin film having an anionic inorganic pillar ligand, {Cu(4,4'-bipyridyl)2(SiF6)}. X-ray study and sorption analysis revealed its high crystallinity and porous character.

Fabrication and Structural Characterization of an Ultrathin Film of a Two-Dimensional-Layered Metal-Organic Framework, {Fe(py)2[Ni(CN)4]} (py = pyridine).

We report the fabrication and characterization of the first example of a tetracyanonickelate-based two-dimensional-layered metal-organic framework, {Fe(py)2Ni(CN)4} (py = pyridine), thin film. To fabricate a nanometer-sized thin film, we utilized the layer-by-layer method, whereby a substrate was alternately soaked in solutions of the structural components. Surface X-ray studies revealed that the fabricated film was crystalline with well-controlled growth directions both parallel and perpendicular to the substrate. In addition, lattice parameter analysis indicated that the crystal system is found to be close to higher symmetry by being downsized to a thin film.

Guest-Induced Two-Way Structural Transformation in a Layered Metal-Organic Framework Thin Film.

Fabrication of thin films made of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been intensively pursued for practical applications that use the structural response of MOFs. However, to date, only physisorption-induced structural response has been studied in these films. Chemisorption can be expected to provide a remarkable structural response because of the formation of bonds between guest molecules and reactive metal sites in host MOFs. Here, we report that chemisorption-induced two-way structural transformation in a nanometer-sized MOF thin film. We prepared a two-dimensional layered-type MOF Fe[Pt(CN)4] thin film using a step-by-step approach. Although the as-synthesized film showed poor crystallinity, the dehydrated form of this thin film had a highly oriented crystalline nature (Film-D) as confirmed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surprisingly, under water and pyridine vapors, Film-D showed chemisorption-induced dynamic structural transformations to Fe(L)2[Pt(CN)4] thin films [L = H2O (Film-H), pyridine (Film-P)], where water and pyridine coordinated to the open Fe2+ site. Dynamic structural transformations were also confirmed by in situ XRD, sorption measurement, and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. This is the first report of chemisorption-induced dynamic structural response in a MOF thin film, and it provides useful insights, which would lead to future practical applications of MOFs utilizing chemisorption-induced structural responses.

A three-dimensional accordion-like metal-organic framework: synthesis and unconventional oriented growth on a surface.

We describe the synthesis and sorption properties of a new metal-organic framework (MOF), Fe(H2O)2(bpy)[Pt(CN)4]·H2O (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine), with a three-dimensional accordion-like structure. Although crystalline oriented MOF thin films reported to date have been mainly limited to a layer-type structure, we succeeded in the fabrication of its crystalline oriented thin film.

Remarkable Lattice Shrinkage in Highly Oriented Crystalline Three-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework Thin Films.

Highly oriented crystalline thin films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have promising practical applications, such as in gas separation, catalysis, and sensing. We report on the successful fabrication of highly oriented crystalline thin films of three-dimensional porous MOFs, Fe(pz)[M(CN)4] (M = Ni, Pd; pz = pyrazine). Synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies reveal not only the highly oriented crystalline nature but also the remarkable shrunken structure of the thin films (∼3-7% volume shrinkage) compared with bulk samples. Furthermore, because of lattice shrinkage, these films exhibit large lattice expansions upon guest adsorption, in marked contrast to the almost unchanged lattice in the bulk samples.

Step-by-step fabrication of a highly oriented crystalline three-dimensional pillared-layer-type metal-organic framework thin film confirmed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

Fabrication of a crystalline ordered thin film based on the porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is one of the practical applications of the future functional nanomaterials. Here, we report the creation of a highly oriented three-dimensional (3-D) porous pillared-layer-type MOF thin film on a metal substrate using a step-by-step approach based on liquid-phase epitaxy. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) study clearly indicates that the thin film is crystalline and its orientation is highly controlled in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to the substrate. This report provides the first confirmation of details of not only the crystallinity but also the orientation of 3-D MOF thin film using synchrotron XRD. Moreover, we also demonstrate its guest adsorption/desorption behavior by using in situ XRD measurements. The results presented here would promise useful insights for fabrication of MOF-based nanodevices in the future.