Halogen Bond Mediated Self-Assembly of Mononuclear Lanthanide Complexes: Perception of Supramolecular Interactions, Slow Magnetic Relaxation, and Photoluminescence Properties.

Five new mononuclear lanthanide complexes, [LnL2][Et3NH]·THF/H2O (Ln = Nd, Tb, Dy) (H2LCl = 2-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dichloro benzyl)aminomethyl]pyridine), Ln = Nd (1), Tb (2), and Dy (3), and (H2LBr = 2-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dibromo benzyl)aminomethyl]pyridine), Ln = Nd (4, H2O) and Tb (5), were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Being isostructural in all the five cases, the metal center is octa-coordinated with a triangular dodecahedron (D2d symmetry) geometry, and it is independent of the halogen substitution (Cl/Br). This close similarity is due to the composite interplay of hydrogen/halogen bond interactions that control the overall crystal packing, yet notable differences in association patterns among the individual ones arise from the subtle stereo-electronic requirement of individual molecules in the three-dimensional (3D) architecture. Hirshfeld surface and density functional theory (DFT) calculations clearly vouch for the importance of the hydrogen bond and halogen bond interactions observed in the structure. Detailed magnetic measurements using direct-current and alternating-current susceptibility measurements show slow magnetic relaxation in 3, a characteristic feature of the single-molecule magnets (SMMs), which is not shown by 1 and 2. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence of Tb(III) complexes shows a strong ligand-to-metal energy transfer that can be modulated by changing the substitution on phenolic ligands. The results from these analyses indicate that it may be advantageous to consider the subtle role of hydrogen bond (HB)/halogen bond (XB) intermolecular interactions judiciously for the design of SMMs and luminescent materials based on halogen-substituted ligands.

Destabilized Carbocations Caged in Water Microdroplets: Isolation and Real-Time Detection of α-Carbonyl Cation Intermediates.

Over the last 50 years, proposals of α-carbonyl cation intermediates have been driven by chemical intuition and indirect evidence. Recently, wide interest in α-carbonyl cation chemistry has opened new gates to prepare α-functionalized carbonyl compounds. Though these intrinsically unstable carbocations are formed under forcing conditions (e.g., in a strong acid medium), their fleeting existence prohibits direct observation or spectroscopic measurement. We report that high-speed aqueous microdroplets can directly capture α-carbonyl cation intermediates from various reactions (Friedel-Crafts arylation, deoxygenation, and azidation) upon bombarding with the corresponding reaction aliquots. The α-carbonyl cations caged in water droplets are then desorbed to the gas phase, allowing their successful measurement by mass spectrometry. This has also enabled us to simultaneously monitor the relative abundance of the associated precursor, α-carbonyl cation intermediate, and product during the progress of the reaction.

Exceptionally Plastic/Elastic Organic Crystals of a Naphthalidenimine-Boron Complex Show Flexible Optical Waveguide Properties.

The design of molecular compounds that exhibit flexibility is an emerging area of research. Although a fair amount of success has been achieved in the design of plastic or elastic crystals, realizing multidimensional plastic and elastic bending remains challenging. We report herein a naphthalidenimine-boron complex that showed size-dependent dual mechanical bending behavior whereas its parent Schiff base was brittle. Detailed crystallographic and spectroscopic analysis revealed the importance of boron in imparting the interesting mechanical properties. Furthermore, the luminescence of the molecule was turned-on subsequent to boron complexation, thereby allowing it to be explored for multimode optical waveguide applications. Our in-depth study of the size-dependent plastic and elastic bending of the crystals thus provides important insights in molecular engineering and could act as a platform for the development of future smart flexible materials for optoelectronic applications.

Copper(II) diclofenac complexes: Synthesis, structural studies and interaction with albumins and calf-thymus DNA.

The reaction of the copper(II) diclofenac complex [Cu(dicl)2(H2O)2] (1) (dicl = deprotonated diclofenac (Hdicl)) with the chelating N-donor ligands ethylenediamine (en), propan-1,3-diamine (pn), unsymmetrical dimethylethylene-diamine (unsym-dmen) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene-diamine (temed) in methanol-water (4:1 v/v) yielded the novel copper(II) complexes [Cu(en)2(H2O)2](dicl)2·2H2O (2), [Cu(pn)2(H2O)2](dicl)2·2H2O (3), [Cu(unsym-dmen)2(H2O)](dicl)2·H2O (4) and [Cu(temed)(dicl)2] (5), respectively. All the synthesized complexes were characterized by spectroscopic (UV-vis, FT-IR) methods. The structures of complexes 2, 3 and 5 were unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. X-ray structures of complexes clearly revealed the ionic structure of complexes 2, 3 and the covalent structure of complex 5. The geometry of complex 4 was optimized by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The ability of the complexes 1-5 to bind to calf-thymus DNA was monitored in vitro by diverse techniques (UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity measurements) and via competitive studies with ethidium bromide. The interaction of complexes 1-5 with bovine serum albumin was studied in vitro by fluorescence emission spectroscopy and the corresponding binding constants were calculated. The biological behavior of complexes 1-5 was compared with previously reported Cu(II), Mn(II) and Ni(II) complexes of diclofenac.

Silver(I)-Promoted ipso-Nitration of Carboxylic Acids by Nitronium Tetrafluoroborate.

A novel and efficient method for the regioselective nitration of a series of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids to their corresponding nitro compounds using nitronium tetrafluoroborate and silver carbonate in dimethylacetamide has been described. This transformation is believed to proceed via the alkyl-silver or aryl-silver intermediate, which subsequently reacts with the nitronium ion to form nitro substances. Mild reaction conditions, tolerant of a broad range of functional groups, and formation of only the ipso-nitrated products are the key features of this methodology when compared to known methods for syntheses of nitroalkyls and nitroarenes.

Antiparallel Self-Association of a γ,α-Hybrid Peptide: More Relevance of Weak Interactions.

To learn how a preorganized peptide-based molecular template, together with diverse weak non-covalent interactions, leads to an effective self-association, we investigated the conformational characteristics of a simple γ,α-hybrid model peptide, Boc-γ-Abz-Gly-OMe. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the existence of a fully extended ß-strand-like structure stabilized by two non-conventional C-H⋅⋅⋅O=C intramolecular H-bonds. The 2D (1) H NMR ROESY experiment led us to propose that the flat topology of the urethane-γ-Abz-amide moiety is predominantly preserved in a non-polar environment. The self-association of the energetically more favorable antiparallel ß-strand-mimic in solid-state engenders an unusual 'flight of stairs' fabricated through face-to-face and edge-to-edge Ar⋅⋅⋅Ar interactions. In conjunction with FT-IR spectroscopic analysis in chloroform, we highlight that conformationally semi-rigid γ-Abz foldamer in appositely designed peptides may encourage unusual ß-strand or ß-sheet-like self-association and supramolecular organization stabilized via weak attractive forces.

Porous coordination polymers of diverse topologies based on a twisted tetrapyridylbiaryl: application as nucleophilic catalysts for acetylation of phenols.

Porous coordination polymers (CPs) with partially uncoordinated pyridyl rings based on rationally designed polypyridyl linkers are appealing from the point of view of their application as nucleophilic catalysts. A D2d -symmetric tetradentate organic linker L, that is, 2,2',6,6'-tetramethoxy-3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)biphenyl, was designed and synthesized for metal-assisted self-assembly aimed at porous CPs. Depending on the nature of the metal ion and the counter anion, the ligand L is found to function as a 3- or 4-connecting building block leading to porous CPs of diverse topologies. The reaction of L with Zn(NO3 )2 and Cd(NO3 )2 yields porous 2 D CPs of "fes" topology, in which the tetrapyridyl linker L serves as a 3-connecting unit with its free pyridyl rings well exposed into the pores. The functional utility of these porous CPs containing uncoordinated pyridyl rings is demonstrated by employing them as efficient heterogeneous nucleophilic catalysts for acetylation of a number of phenols with varying electronic properties and reactivities.

Unusual folding propensity of an unsubstituted ß,γ-hybrid model peptide: importance of the C-H⋠⋠⋠O intramolecular hydrogen bond.

The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a ß,γ-hybrid model peptide Boc-ß-Ala-γ-Abu-NH2 revealed the existence of four crystallographically independent molecules (A, B, C and D conformers) in the asymmetric unit. The analysis revealed that unusual ß-turn-like folded structures predominate, wherein the conformational space of non-proteinogenic ß-Ala and γ-Abu residues are restricted to gauche-gauche-skew and skew-gauche-trans-skew orientations, respectively. Interestingly, the U-shaped conformers are seemingly stabilised by an effective unconventional C-H⋅⋅⋅O intramolecular hydrogen bond, encompassing a non-covalent 14-membered ring-motif. Taking into account the signs of torsion angles, these conformers could be grouped into two distinct categories, A/B and C/D, establishing the incidence of non-superimposable stereogeometrical features across a non-chiral one-component peptide model system, that is, "mirror-image-like" relationships. The natural occurrence of ß-Ala and γ-Abu entities in various pharmacologically important molecules, coupled with their biocompatibilities, highlight how the non-functionalised ß,γ-hybrid segment may offer unique advantages for introducing and/or manipulating a wide spectrum of biologically relevant hydrogen bonded secondary structural mimics in short synthetic peptides.

Crystal engineering: lattice inclusion based on O-H···O hydrogen-bonded self-assembly and guest-induced structural mimicry.

Pyrene-tetraphenol TP2 constitutes a molecular system with inherent features for inclusion of two or more guest molecules that are complementary in terms of size and shape. Hydrogen-bonded self-assembly of TP2 in the solid state is shown to lead to voids within which the guest molecules are incorporated. A large aromatic expanse extant to the pyrene core in TP2 permits inclusion of two different types of guest species interchangeably. The robust association manifests in packing equivalence in all of the inclusion compounds of TP2 with the exception of the compound formed with pyridine and o-dichlorobenzene guests; in the latter, pyridine terminates the otherwise 3-dimensional hydrogen-bonded organization. The half-component of TP2, i.e., 4,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-m-xylene (BX), deduced by simple structural reduction, is shown to exhibit guest inclusion, but with considerably less guest accessible volume. The limited yet meaningful set of guests allows mimicry of the two expected patterns of molecular organization based on hydrogen bonding for both TP2 and BX in the solid state.

Stabilization of tetrameric metavanadate ion by tris(1,10-phenanthroline)cobalt(III): Synthesis, spectroscopic and X-ray structural study of [Co(phen)(3)](3)(V(4)O(12))(2)Cl·27H(2)O.

A new complex salt of composition [Co(phen)(3)](3)(V(4)O(12))(2)Cl·27H(2)O (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and [V(4)O(12)](4-) = tetrameric dodecaoxotetravanadate ion) was synthesized by reacting appropriate salts in aqueous medium. The complex salt has been characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), FT-IR and UV/Vis spectroscopies, solubility product and conductance measurements. Single crystal X-ray structure determination revealed ionic structure consisting of three complex cations, [Co(phen)(3)](3+), two [V(4)O(12)](4-) anions, one chloride and twenty seven lattice waters. Detailed structural and spectroscopic analyses of [Co(phen)(3)](3)(V(4)O(12))(2)Cl·27H(2)O show that the large anion is stabilized by the large cationic metal complex as there is preferred shape compatibility that leads to a large number of lattice stabilizing non-covalent interactions.

Crystallographically observed folded topology of an unsubstituted γ-aminobutyric acid incorporated in a model peptide: importance of a C--H···O interaction.

To validate the existing hypothesis put forward by Navarro et al., we performed single crystal X-ray diffraction structural analysis of a designed model peptide incorporating an unsubstituted achiral γ-aminobutyric acid: Boc-Pro-γ-Abu-OH (1) lacking C-terminal amide group. The analysis established existence of an overall unusual tightly folded topology stabilized by a conventional N(i)···H--N(i + 1) and an unconventional C(i)--H···O(i) type intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, encompassing a five-membered and a six-membered ring motifs, respectively. Moreover, in conjunction with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorption study in solid KBr, the results provided evidence that two conventional and one unconventional noncovalent intermolecular interaction stabilize a right-handed helical architecture generated via molecular self-assembly by translating the symmetry related molecules along the crystallographic b axis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 927-931, 2010.

Abundant lattice inclusion phenomenon with sterically hindered and inherently shape-selective tetraarylpyrenes.

Tetraarylpyrenes H1-H4 that typify molecular systems with orthogonal planes and lack hydrogen bonding functional groups were designed as new host systems with three distinct domains for guest inclusion. In particular, H2 and H4 hosts are found to include a variety of guest molecules. We have determined 42 crystal structures overall (i) to establish the importance of skeletal features of the hosts, (ii) to determine their adaptability in binding diverse guest molecules, and (iii) to delineate favored domains for location of guest molecules and preferred modes of association of the host systems. The unique features of H1-H4 are found to permit binding of aliphatic and aromatic guest species differently: the small-sized guest molecules such as CHCl(3), (CH(3))(2)S, etc. are found to be bound in the basin domain, whereas aliphatic and aromatic guests are found to be included in the channel/concave and trough regions, respectively. The crystal structure analyses reveal that as many as 20 out of 28 inclusion compounds of H2 are isostructural with one or more; we have identified 8 different crystal packing types with which each inclusion compound may be associated. The guest-binding potential of host H2 has been exploited to demonstrate the utility of these host systems in (i) the separation of regioisomeric methyl-substituted benzenes and mixtures of cis-trans isomers of decalin, perhydroisoquinoline, and cinnamonitrile, (ii) the stabilization of the keto-enol form of 1,3-diketones, and (iii) the conformational locking of flexible cycloalkanes.

Diastereomer-differentiating photochemistry of beta-arylbutyrophenones: Yang cyclization versus type II elimination.

The diastereomers of ketones 2 and 3 are shown to exhibit distinct photochemical reactivities due to conformational preferences; while the anti isomers of 2 and 3 undergo efficient Yang cyclization in 75-90% yields with a remarkable diastereoselectivity (> 90%), the syn isomers predominantly undergo Norrish Type II elimination. The differences in the product profiles of the diastereomers are consistent with a mechanistic picture involving the formation of precursor diastereomeric triplet 1,4-biradicals in which the substituents at alpha and beta-positions stabilize the cisoid (cyclization) or transoid (elimination) geometry. The fact that such a diastereomeric relationship does indeed ensue at the triplet-excited-state itself is demonstrated via the nanosecond laser-flash photolysis of model ketones 1. The diastereomeric discrimination in the product profiles observed for ketones 2 and 3 as well as in the triplet lifetimes observed for ketones 1 can both be mechanistically traced back to different conformational preferences of the ground-state diastereomeric ketones and the intermediary 1,4-biradicals. Additionally, it emerges from the present study that the syn and anti diastereomers of ketones 2 and 3 represent two extremes of a broad range of widely examined butyrophenones, which lead to varying degrees of Yang photocyclization depending on the alkyl substitution pattern.

Three-dimensional four-connecting organic scaffolds with a twist: synthesis and self-assembly.

We have synthesized a novel class of four-connecting three-dimensional molecular scaffolds 2-5 based on biaryls for supramolecular self-assembly. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of 2 with ethanol reveals a novel O-H...O hydrogen-bonded helical self-assembly in three dimensions leading to the generation of channels in the crystal lattice. The tetraacid 3 also forms analogous channels in which the solvent molecules, viz., DMSO and H2O, reside. The structures of 2 and 3 amply illustrate the potential of three-dimensional four-connecting biaryls in developing functional mimics of inorganic zeolites.

Highly diastereoselective tandem photoenolization-hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions of o-tolualdehydes in the solid state.

The (E)-photoenols generated in situ by photolysis of o-tolualdehydes 1-5 in the solid state react with the precursor aldehydes as dienophiles in a hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition fashion to afford trans-3-arylisochromanols in excellent yields and in a high diastereoselectivity. An examination of the reactivity of three different classes of rationally designed aldehydes shows that the tandem enolization-Diels-Alder cycloaddition occurs in the solid state efficiently for aldehydes whose (E)-photoenols (i) are more stable than their corresponding benzocyclobutenols and (ii) are not sterically congested. However, rapid cyclization to benzocyclobutenols is found to be the sole pathway for sterically encumbered (E)-enols derived from aldehydes 6-8. Given that the execution of heteromolecular reactions in the solid state is a challenge, the results obtained with simple crystalline o-tolualdehydes are remarkable and the strategy involving in situ generation of a dienol in the crystal lattice of a dienophile to achieve hetero-Diels-Alder reaction in a highly diastereoselective manner is heretofore unprecedented. In the context of enormous interest in tandem/domino reactions in contemporary synthetic organic chemistry, the results observed with o-tolualdehydes exemplify successful execution of tandem reactions in the solid state.

New tetranuclear Cu(II) complexes: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties.

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of two new tetranuclear Cu(II) complexes containing N,N,N',N'-tetraethylpyridine-2,6-dithiocarboxamide (S-dept) of formula [Cu(2)Cl(2)(mu-S-dept)(2)][Cu(2)Cl(4)(mu-Cl)(2)] (1) and [Cu(2)(mu-Cl)(2)(S-dept)(2)][CuCl(3)(EtOH)](2) (2) are reported. Their X-ray crystal structures reveal that the complexes are composed of anionic and cationic dimers, that in both cases contain the metal centers which interact via Coulombic and/or hydrogen bonding interactions. In both cases, the Cu centers in the anionic moieties adopt a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry whereas for the cationic moieties they adopt a square-pyramidal type of geometry. Magnetic susceptibility data show that compounds 1 and 2 present an overall antiferromagnetic behavior arising from the contribution of both anionic and cationic moieties. For 1, the best fit obtained gave J(1) = -2.62 +/- 0.19 cm(-1), J(2) = -19.54 +/- 0.47 cm(-1), and g(2) = 2.164 +/- 0.004 cm(-1) (R = 8.28 x 10(-5)) whereas for 2 it gave J(1) = 4.48 +/- 2.73 cm(-1), g(1) = 2.20 +/- 0.03, J(2) = -11.26 +/- 2.01 cm(-1), and g(2) = 2.10 +/- 0.03 (R = 1.15 x 10(-4)). The nature of the superexchange pathways in 1 and 2 is discussed on the basis of structural, magnetic, and molecular orbital considerations. Theoretical calculations are performed at the extended Huckel level in order to obtain their molecular orbitals and energies using their crystallographic data.

Structure-based drug design: synthesis, crystal structure, biological evaluation and docking studies of mono- and bis-benzo[b]oxepines as non-steroidal estrogens.

Mono- and bis-benzo[b]oxepine derivatives have been rationally synthesized to meet the molecular requirement for interaction with estrogen receptor. Bis-benzo[b]oxepines (7 and 9) and mono-benzo[b]oxepine (10) acquire geometry with phenolic groups disposed in a fashion to stimulate estrogen receptor. Structure-based investigation, in vivo activity and docking studies have been described and correlated to demonstrate a practical approach for suitable ligand design.

Structural, electronic, and magnetic consequences of O-carbonyl vs O-alkoxy ester coordination in new dicopper complexes containing the Cu2(mu-Cl)2 core.

The complexes [Cu2(mu-Cl)2(Cl)2(L)2] (L = dialkylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate; R = Et, L = depc, 1; R = i-Pr, L = dppc, 2) have been prepared and their magnetic properties studied. The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 have been solved. Compound 1 belongs to the P space group with Z = 2, a = 8.3020(10) A, b = 9.2050(10) A, c = 10.065(2) A, alpha = 99.040(10), beta = 100.810(10), and gamma = 106.502(10) whereas 2 belongs to the C2/c space group with Z = 8, a = 11.6360(10) A, b = 25.906(3) A, c = 11.76579(10) A, and beta = 107.900(10). The different alkyl ester substitutes produce substantial structural and electronic differences. The Cu2Cl2 core geometry is planar for 1 whereas it adopts a butterfly shape in the case of 2. Furthermore, in 2 the dppc ligand coordinates only by the carbonyl oxygen atoms whereas in 1 the depc ligand coordinates through carbonyl and alkoxy oxygen atoms. Magnetic susceptibility data show a ferromagnetic coupling between the two Cu(II) centers in both cases (J = 39.9(6) cm(-1) for 1, and J = 51.3(5) cm(-1) for 2) with very weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J ' = -0.59 cm(-1) and -0.57 cm(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively). Theoretical calculations at the extended Hückel level have also been carried out to further understand the electronic nature of complexes 1 and 2.

Reactions of Dimethyl Sulfite with Diorganotin Oxides. One-Pot Synthesis of Methoxydiorganotin Methanesulfonates through the Arbuzov Rearrangement, Spectroscopic Characterization of These Compounds and Their Derivatives, and X-ray Crystal Structures of n-Bu(2)Sn(X)OS(O)(2)Me (X = acac, bzbz, OH).

One-pot reactions of diorganotin oxides, R(2)SnO, with dimethyl sulfite under reflux conditions (125-127 degrees C) proceed via the Arbuzov rearrangement at the sulfur center, yielding the corresponding methoxydiorganotin methanesulfonates, R(2)Sn(OMe)OS(O)(2)Me [R = n-Pr (1), n-Bu (2), i-Bu (3), c-Hx (4)], as white, hygroscopic solids. These compounds react with beta-diketones [acetylacetone (Hacac), benzoylacetone (Hbzac), and dibenzoylmethane (Hbzbz)] to afford mixed-ligand organotin derivatives, R(2)Sn(X)OS(O)(2)Me [X = acac, R = n-Pr (5), n-Bu (6); X = bzac, R = n-Pr (7), n-Bu (8); X = bzbz, R = n-Pr (9), n-Bu (10), i-Bu (11)]. Selective hydrolysis of the Sn-OMe bond in 1-3 occurs, resulting in the isolation of (&mgr;-hydroxo)diorganotin methanesulfonates, R(2)Sn(OH)OS(O)(2)Me [R = n-Pr (12), n-Bu (13), i-Bu (14)]. All the compounds are characterized by elemental analyses and IR, multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, and (119)Sn) NMR, and mass spectra. Unequivocal evidence of the presence of the methanesulfonate group is provided by the X-ray crystal structures of 6, 10, and 13. [For 6: trigonal space group R&thremacr; (No. 148), a = 28.664(1) Å, c = 13.056(1)Å, Z = 18. For 10: triclinic space group P&onemacr; (No. 2), a = 13.056(3) Å, b = 14.062(3) Å, c = 16.282(3) Å, Z = 4. For 13: triclinic space group P&onemacr; (No. 2), a = 9.089(2) Å, b = 12.040(2) Å, c =13.894(2) Å, Z = 2]. For 6 and 10, the solid-state structural analyses reveal dimeric structures with a bridging bidentate methanesulfonate group forming a centrosymmetric eight-membered ring. Compound 13 possesses a polymeric sheet structure with repeating 20-membered macrocycles (including two four-membered [Sn(OH)](2) rings) by virtue of the bridging bidentate methanesulfonate groups. A search for a possible pathway to give Arbuzov-rearranged products 1-4 leads us to speculate that there is an initial catalytic transformation of dimethyl sulfite to methyl methanesulfonate via intermediate compounds, Bu(2)Sn(OMe)(2) (A) and [Bu(2)SnOMe](2)O (B). A and B subsequently react with methyl methanesulfonate to give 1-4.