Aromatic Nanosandwich Obtained by σ-Dimerization of a Nanographenoid π-Radical

A 139-π-electron nanographenoid radical was obtained by expanding the periphery of a naphthalimide–azacoronene hybrid with a methine bridge. The radical was isolated in the form of its σ-dimer, which was shown to possess a conformationally restricted two-layer structure both in the solid state and in solution. The dimer is cleaved into its parent radicals when exposed to ultraviolet or visible radiation in toluene solutions but is resistant to thermally induced dissociation. Under inert conditions, the radicals recombine quantitatively into the σ-dimer with observable kinetics, but they are oxidized into a ketone derivative in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Combined structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical evidence shows that the σ-dimer contains a weak C(sp³)–C(sp³) bond, but is stabilized against thermal dissociation by a very strong dispersive interaction between the overlapping π surfaces.

The first amino acid bound manganese–calcium clusters: a {[MnIII3Ca]2} methylalanine complex, and a [MnIII6Ca] trigonal prism

The use of methylalanine in manganese/calcium chemistry has led to the synthesis and characterization of the first manganese/calcium amino acid containing polynuclear clusters.

Structural diversity of hydrogen-bonded complexes comprising phenol-based and pyridine-based components: NLO properties and crystallographic and spectroscopic studies

Synthesis of compounds with improved physicochemical properties, including nonlinear optical phenomena such as second harmonic generation, might be considered as one of the most challenging aspects of crystal engineering.

The N'-Substituted Derivatives of 5-Chloro-3-Methylisothiazole-4-Carboxylic Acid Hydrazide with Antiproliferative Activity

Thanks to the progress in oncology, pharmacological treatment of cancer is gaining in importance and in the near future anti-cancer chemotherapeutics are expected to be the main method of treatment for cancer diseases. What is more, the search for new anti-cancer compounds with the desired application properties is constantly underway. As a result of designed syntheses, we obtained some new N’-substituted 5-chloro-3-methylisothiazole-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide derivatives with anticancer activity. The structure of new compounds was determined by mass spectrometry (MS), elemental analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR), carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C-NMR), ¹H-¹³C NMR correlations and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Moreover, the structures of the compounds were confirmed by crystallographic examination. The antiproliferative MTT tests for 11 prepared compounds was conducted towards human biphenotypic B cell myelomonocytic leukemia MV4-11. SRB test was used to examine their potential anticancer activity towards human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines sensitive LoVo, resistant to doxorubicin LoVo/DX, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 and normal non-tumorigenic epithelial cell line derived from mammary gland MCF-10A. The most active compound was 5-chloro-3-methyl-N′-[(1E,2E)-(3-phenyloprop-2-en-1-ylidene]isothiazole-4-carbohydrazide, which showed the highest antiproliferative activity against all tested cell lines.

Crystal structure, vibrational and optic properties of 2-N-methylamino-3-methylpyridine N-oxide - Its X-ray and spectroscopic studies as well as DFT quantum chemical calculations

The crystal and molecular structure and physicochemical properties of 2-N-methylamino-3-methylpyridine N-oxide (MA3MPO) have been studied. MA3MPO was synthesized from 2-amino-3-methylpyridine by several steps to form colorless crystals suitable for crystallographic analysis. The data reveal that MA3MPO crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The studied compound contains a nearly flat triply substituted pyridine skeleton whose structure is stabilized by an intramolecular N–H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bond. The N-oxide molecules are connected together by weak C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds, an acceptor of which is the oxygen atom from the N-oxide group. This leads to creation of two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds. Its IR, Raman, UV–Vis and luminescence spectra have been measured and analyzed on the basis of DFT and NBO quantum chemical calculations in which the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) approach was applied. The distribution of the electron levels in the studied compound has been analyzed in terms of the possibility of its participation in the ligand-to-lanthanide ion energy transfer.

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The 2-N-methylamino-3-methylpyridine N-oxide (MA3MPO) was synthesized and characterized.

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The studied compound structure is stabilized by an intramolecular N–H⋯O hydrogen bond.

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The molecules are connected together by weak C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

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The amino group plays the role of effective hydrogen-bond donor but the N-oxide group is a hydrogen-bond acceptor.

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X-ray, IR, Raman and DFT methods recognized the existence of the intramolecular N–H⋯O hydrogen bond in the studied compound.

Dinuclear and Mononuclear Rhenium Coordination Compounds upon Employment of a Schiff-Base Triol Ligand: Structural, Magnetic, and Computational Studies

The 1:1 reaction of trans-[Re^IIICl₃(PPh₃)₂(MeCN)] with 2-(β-naphthalideneamino)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-propanol, H₃L, in toluene gave the dinuclear complex [Re^III₂Cl₄(HL)(PPh₃)]·2C₇H₈ (1·2C₇H₈), while the 1:2 reaction led to the formation of complex [Re^IVCl₂(HL)(PPh₃)] (2). In both species, the Schiff-base ligand exists in its doubly deprotonated form, HL^2-, forming chelate rings around the metallic centers. In addition, 1·2C₇H₈ displays a unique triple metal-to-metal bond between the two trivalent rhenium ions separated at a 2.229(1) Å bond distance, while in complex [Re^IVCl₂(HL)(PPh₃)] (2) the two aromatic ligands, HL^2- and PPh₃, occupy axial positions, with the terminal Cl^- ions in the trans position. Investigation of the magnetic properties revealed a Curie paramagnetic behavior ( S = 1/2) with a pronounced temperature independent paramagnetism (TIP) for 1·2C₇H₈ and 2. Both the geometry and the electronic structure of both compounds have been studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, confirming the triplet and doublet spin ground state of the complexes and furthermore establishing an electron-rich σ²π⁴δ¹δ^*1 bond order of 3 for 1·2C₇H₈. In addition, the absorption spectrum of 1·2C₇H₈ in CH₂Cl₂ was simulated by means of DFT calculations and is in excellent agreement with both the crystallographic and theoretical studies. Complex 1·2C₇H₈ is the first dinuclear rhenium complex with a triple metal-metal bond between trivalent rhenium centers.

Lemniscular [16]Cycloparaphenylene: A Radially Conjugated Figure-Eight Aromatic Molecule

A cycloparaphenylene-based molecular lemniscate (CPPL) was obtained in a short synthesis involving masked p-phenylene equivalents. The strained figure-eight geometry of CPPL is sustained by the incorporated 9,9'-bicarbazole subunit, which also acts as a stereogenic element. The shape of the distorted [16]cycloparaphenylene nanohoop embedded in CPPL is accurately approximated with a Booth lemniscate. The structure of CPPL, investigated using NMR and Raman spectroscopic methods, revealed strain-dependent features, consistent with the variable curvature of the ring. The electronic and optical properties of CPPL combine features more characteristic of smaller cycloparaphenylenes, such as a reduced optical bandgap and red-shifted fluorescence. CPPL was resolved into enantiomers, which are configurationally stable and provide strong chiroptical responses, including circularly polarized luminescence.

Transformation of molecular compounds with Ba(Sr)/Al/Si and Ca(Sr, Ba)/Ti(Zr, Hf)/Si heteroelements as new efficient route to metal silicate materials

Silicon-based moieties were anchored in heterometallic alkoxide platforms to obtain molecular clusters based on the M-O-M'-O-Si motif for the generation of mixed-metal silicate materials. Single-source molecular precursors with structures [M{(μ-ddbfo)2Al(OSiPh3)2}2], where dbbfoH = 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-ol and M = Ba (1), Sr (2), [Sr4Ti2(μ6-O)(μ3,η2-OCH2CH2OMe)8(η-OCH2CH2OMe)2(OSiPh3)4] (3), [Sr4M'2(μ4-OH)(μ3,η2-OCH2CH2OMe)4(μ,η2-OCH2CH2OMe)6(μ-X)(OSiPh3)4] (4, with M' = Zr and X = Cl; 5 with M' = Hf and X = OH), [Sr3Hf2(μ5-O)(μ3,η2-OCH2CH2OMe)4(OCH2CH2OMe)4(OSiPh3)4] (6), and [Ca2M'2(μ3-OH)2(μ,η2-OCH2CH2OMe)4(η2-HOCH2CH2OMe)2(η-OCH2CH2OMe)2(OSiPh3)4] for M' = Zr (7), Hf (8), were prepared by substitution of methyl groups, using Ph3SiOH or chloride atoms with KOSiPh3, in [M{(μ-ddbfo)2AlMe2}2] (M = Sr, Ba) or [M4M'2(μ6-O)(μ3,η2-OCH2CH2OMe)8(OCH2CH2OMe)2(HOCH2CH2OMe)xCl4] (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, M' = Ti, Zr, Hf and x = 0, 4). The precursors were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Thermal decomposition of compounds 1-8 at 1000 °C led to formation of ceramic materials that consisted of mixed-metal oxide nanocrystallites embedded in an amorphous SiO2 matrix. Compounds 1 and 2 decomposed to BaAl2Si2O8 and SrAl2Si2O8 aluminosilicates, 4 gave a mixture of SrSiO3, ZrO2, SrZrO3 and Sr7ZrSi6O21, 5 and 6 gave mixtures of various compounds, including SrHfO3, Hf0.96Si0.04O2, and SiO2, 7 lead to CaZrO3, ZrO2 and Ca3ZrSi2O9 and 8 gave a HfO2, Ca2HfSi4O12 and SiO2 phase. The thermolysis of compound 3 gave SiO2 particles of average size 40-90 nm, which contained spherical SrTiO3, SrSiO3 and Sr2TiSi2O8 nanocrystallites of diameter 5-16 nm.

5,10-Dimesityldiindeno[1,2-a:2',1'-i]phenanthrene: a stable biradicaloid derived from Chichibabin's hydrocarbon

A diindenophenanthrene biradicaloid, formally derived from Chichibabin's hydrocarbon, is obtained in a short, scalable synthesis.

A diindenophenanthrene biradicaloid, formally derived from Chichibabin's hydrocarbon, is obtained in a short, scalable synthesis. The present system is electron-rich and devoid of conjugated substituents, and still exhibits very good stability under ambient conditions. The introduction of the diindeno[1,2-a:2′,1′-i] phenanthrene ring framework results in a singlet biradicaloid system with an easily accessible triplet state (ΔE_S–T = –1.30 kcal mol^–1) and a small electronic bandgap (1.39 V). The stability limits of the title hydrocarbon were explored systematically in the solid state, to reveal an unusual thermally initiated hydrogen-scrambling oligomerization process.

A decanuclear [DyIII6ZnII4] cluster: a {ZnII4} rectangle surrounding an octahedral {DyIII6} single molecule magnet

The synthesis, structure and magnetic relaxation properties of a decanuclear [DyIII6ZnII4] complex are reported.

Magnetic dimensionality and the crystal structure of two copper(ii) coordination polymers containing Cu6 and Cu2 building units

The preparation, structural characterization, EPR spectroscopy and magnetic structural correlation of two Cu(ii) coordination polymers are reported.

Vinylphosphonium Salt-Mediated Reactions: A One-Pot Condensation Approach for the Highly cis-Selective Synthesis of N-Benzoylaziridines and the Green Synthesis of 1,4,2-Dioxazoles as Two Important Classes of Heterocyclic Compounds

An efficient, one-pot, and convenient approach for the reaction of the same precursors, trialkyl(aryl) phosphines, acetylene diesters, and benzhydroxamic acids has been developed to produce two important classes of heterocyclic compounds: N-benzoylaziridines and 1,4,2-dioxazoles. The strategy utilizes the intermediate solvation as a key step in product selectivity. The usefulness of the developed approach has been confirmed in the unprecedented highly cis-selective formation of the N-benzoylaziridines. In addition, the procedure provides a green alternative method for the synthesis of 1,4,2-dioxazoles employing a β-cyclodextrin nanoreactor in aqueous media.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Indole-Derived Thioureas

A series of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethylthiourea derivatives were prepared by condensation of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine with appropriate aryl/alkylisothiocyanates in anhydrous media. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis and the molecular structures of 8 and 28 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All obtained compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods and for antifungal activity. Microbiological evaluation was carried out over 20 standard strains and 30 hospital strains. Compound 6 showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive cocci and had inhibitory effect on the S. aureus topoisomerase IV decatenation activity and S. aureus DNA gyrase supercoiling activity. Compounds were tested for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a large panel of DNA and RNA viruses, including HIV-1 and other several important human pathogens. Interestingly, derivative 8 showed potent activity against HIV-1 wild type and variants bearing clinically relevant mutations. Newly synthesized tryptamine derivatives showed also a wide spectrum activity, proving to be active against positive- and negative-sense RNA viruses.

Synthesis, crystal structure and cytotoxic activity of novel 5-methyl-4-thiopyrimidine derivatives

This article presents the synthesis of three new 4-thiopyrimidine derivatives obtained from ethyl 4-methyl-2-phenyl-6-sulfanylpyrimidine-5-carboxylate as the starting material, namely, ethyl 4-[(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-6-methyl-2-phenylpyrimidine-5-carboxylate, C₂₁H₁₉ClN₂O₂S, (2), {4-[(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-6-methyl-2-phenylpyrimidin-5-yl}methanol, C₁₉H₁₇ClN₂OS, (3), and 4-[(4-chlorobenzyl)sulfanyl]-5,6-dimethyl-2-phenylpyrimidine, C₁₉H₁₇ClN₂S, (4), which vary in the substituent at the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring. The compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and mass spectroscopies, and also elemental analysis. The molecular structures were further studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (2) crystallizes in the space group P-1 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit, whereas compounds (3) and (4) crystallize in the space group P2₁/c with two and one molecule, respectively, in their asymmetric units. The conformation of each molecule is best defined by the dihedral angles formed between the pyrimidine ring and the planes of the two aryl substituents attached at the 2- and 4-positions. The only structural difference between the three compounds is the substituent at the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring, but they present significantly different features in the hydrogen-bond interactions. Compound (2) displays a one-dimensional chain formed by hydrogen bonds and the chains are further extended into a two-dimensional network. Molecules of (3) and (4) generate one-dimensional chains formed through intermolecular interactions. The study examines the cytotoxicity of compounds (3) and (4) against Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and HeLa, K562 and CFPAC cancer cell lines. The presence of the hydroxymethyl and methyl groups in (3) and (4), respectively, offers an interesting new insight into the structures and behaviour of these derivatives. Compound (4) was found to be nontoxic against CFPAC and HUVEC; however, it shows weak activity against the HeLa and K563 cell lines. The presence of a hydroxy group in (3) significantly increases its cytotoxicity towards both, i.e. the cancer (HeLa, K562 and CFPAC) and normal (HUVEC) cell lines.

Constructing CrIII-centered heterometallic complexes: [NiCrIII] and [CoCrIII] wheels

The solvothermal reaction between Cr(acac)₃, MCl₂·6H₂O (M = Ni, Co) and 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-6-phenyl-pyridine-3-amidoxime (H₂L), under basic conditions, led to the synthesis of the heterometallic heptanuclear clusters [MCr(HL_zw)₆(HL)₆]·3Cl (M = Ni, 1; Co, 2), with the nickel analogue displaying an S = 9/2 spin ground-state.

Water oxidation by a manganese–potassium cluster: Mn oxide as a kinetically dominant “true” catalyst for water oxidation

Herein, a manganese–potassium cluster was investigated for electrochemical water oxidation to find the true, kinetically dominant, catalyst.

A [Cr2Ni] coordination polymer: slow relaxation of magnetization in quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnetic chains

The first example of a Ni^II–Cr^III chain to exhibit slow relaxation of magnetization is reported.

Heterometallic lanthanide-centred [NiII6LnIII] rings

The syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of three new hetero-heptametallic [Ni₆Ln] complexes are reported.

The first protection-free synthesis of magnetic bifunctional l-proline as a highly active and versatile artificial enzyme: Synthesis of imidazole derivatives

l-Proline is a bifunctional versatile organocatalyst that could promote a variety of useful transformations. Some passive and dynamic interactions between this simple amino acid and different substrates, which are necessary to enzymatic reactions, have given it "the simplest enzyme" title. Herein we presented the first report on the synthesis of magnetic bifunctional l-proline as an artificial enzyme without requiring any protection/deprotection steps according to an operationally simple process. This magnetic nano-biocatalyst is a promising catalyst that in a case study was successfully applied for the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted and 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles in the 70-99% and 60-90% yields respectively, which it could be extended to the variety of l-proline-based organic transformations. The synergic effect of bifunctional l-proline shell as catalytic active site and magnetite nanoparticles core, which could function as protein mimics endow it high efficiency, versatility, recoverability, reusability and good turnover frequency, which are necessary characters for artificial enzymes' designing.

A [Ce21] keplerate

The solvothermal reaction between Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, 2-amino-isobutyric acid, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol in MeOH, in the presence of base, leads to the formation of a unique [CeCe ] keplerate cage.

Synthesis and Biological Activities of Ethyl 2-(2-pyridylacetate) Derivatives Containing Thiourea, 1,2,4-triazole, Thiadiazole and Oxadiazole Moieties

Thirty six novel heterocyclic derivatives of ethyl 2-(2-pyridylacetate) were efficiently synthesized. The new compounds involve the linkage of a 2-pyridyl ring with thiosemicarbazide (compounds 1–7), 1,2,4-triazole (compounds 1a–7a), 1,3,4-thiadiazole (compounds 1b–7b), and 1,3,4-oxadiazole (compounds 1f–7f) moieties. The last group of compounds 1e–7e involves the connection of a 2-pyridyl ring with 1,2,4-triazole and thiourea. ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and MS methods were used to confirm the structures of the obtained derivatives. The molecular structures of 3, 3b, 7a and 7f were further confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All obtained compounds were tested in vitro against a number of microorganisms, including Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods and Candida albicans. In addition, the obtained compounds were tested for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against HIV-1.

On rhenium(i)–silver(i) cyanide porous macrocyclic clusters

The first cyanide rhenium(i)–silver(i) clusters were synthesized in the course of simple one-pot high-yielding reactions.

Correction: New tetranuclear manganese clusters with [MnII3MnIII] and [MnII2MnIII2] metallic cores exhibiting low and high spin ground state

Correction for ‘New tetranuclear manganese clusters with [Mn^II₃Mn^III] and [Mn^II₂Mn^III₂] metallic cores exhibiting low and high spin ground state’ by M. Sobocińska et al., Dalton Trans., 2016, 45, 7303–7311.

Ligand-forced dimerization of copper(I)–olefin complexes bearing a 1,3,4-thiadiazole core

As an important class of heterocyclic compounds, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles have a broad range of potential applications in medicine, agriculture and materials chemistry, and were found to be excellent precursors for the crystal engineering of organometallic materials. The coordinating behaviour of allyl derivatives of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles with respect to transition metal ions has been little studied. Five new crystalline copper(I) π-complexes have been obtained by means of an alternating current electrochemical technique and have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The compounds are bis[μ-5-methyl-N-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine]bis[nitratocopper(I)], [Cu2(NO3)2(C6H9N3S)2], (1), bis[μ-5-methyl-N-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine]bis[(tetrafluoroborato)copper(I)], [Cu2(BF4)2(C6H9N3S)2], (2), μ-aqua-bis{μ-5-[(prop-2-en-1-yl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine}bis[nitratocopper(I)], [Cu2(NO3)2(C5H7N3S2)2(H2O)], (3), μ-aqua-(hexafluorosilicato)bis{μ-5-[(prop-2-en-1-yl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine}dicopper(I)–acetonitrile–water (2/1/4), [Cu2(SiF6)(C5H7N3S2)2(H2O)]·0.5CH3CN·2H2O, (4), and μ-benzenesulfonato-bis{μ-5-[(prop-2-en-1-yl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine}dicopper(I) benzenesulfonate–methanol–water (1/1/1), [Cu2(C6H5O3S)(C5H7N3S2)2](C6H5O3S)·CH3OH·H2O, (5). The structure of the ligand 5-methyl-N-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (Mepeta), C6H9N3S, was also structurally characterized. BothMepetaand 5-[(prop-2-en-1-yl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (Pesta) (denotedL) reveal a strong tendency to form dimeric {Cu2L2}2+fragments, being attached to the metal atom in a chelating–bridging modeviatwo thiadiazole N atoms and an allylic C=C bond. Flexibility of the {Cu2(Pesta)2}2+unit allows the CuIatom site to be split into two positions with different metal-coordination environments, thus enabling the competitive participation of different molecules in bonding to the metal centre. ThePestaligand in (4) allows the CuIatom to vary between water O-atom and hexafluorosilicate F-atom coordination, resulting in the rare case of a direct CuI...FSiF52−interaction. Extensive three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding patterns are formed in the reported crystal structures. Complex (5) should be considered as the first known example of a CuI(C6H5SO3) coordination compound. To determine the hydrogen-bond interactions in the structures of (1) and (2), a Hirshfeld surface analysis has been performed.

Tetradecanuclearity in 3d–4f chemistry: relaxation and magnetocaloric effects in [NiII6LnIII8] species

The syntheses, structures, relaxation and magnetocaloric properties of two new hetero-tetradecametallic 3d–4f complexes are reported.