Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Computational Analysis of Biaryl Side-Chain Analogs of Solithromycin

There is an urgent need for new antibiotics to mitigate the existential threat posed by antibiotic resistance. Within the ketolide class, solithromycin has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for further development. Crystallographic studies of bacterial ribosomes and ribosomal subunits complexed with solithromycin have shed light on the nature of molecular interactions (π-stacking and H-bonding) between from the biaryl side-chain of the drug and key residues in the 50S ribosomal subunit. We have designed and synthesized a library of solithromycin analogs to study their structure-activity relationships (SAR) in tandem with new computational studies. The biological activity of each analog was evaluated in terms of ribosomal affinity (K_d determined by fluorescence polarization), as well as minimum inhibitory concentration assays (MICs). Density functional theory (DFT) studies of a simple binding site model identify key H-bonding interactions that modulate the potency of solithromycin analogs.

π-Stacking Stopper-Macrocycle Stabilized Dynamically Interlocked [2]Rotaxanes

The synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecules is valuable due to their unique topologies. With π-stacking intercomponent interaction, e.g., phenanthroline and anthracene, novel [2]rotaxanes have been synthesized by dynamic imine clipping reaction. Their X-ray crystal structures indicate the π-stackings between the anthracene moiety (stopper) on the thread and the (hetero)aromatic rings at the macrocycle of the rotaxanes. Moreover, the length of glycol chains affects the extra π-stacking intercomponent interactions between the phenyl groups and the dimethoxy phenyl groups on the thread. Dynamic combinatorial library has shown at best 84% distribution of anthracene-threaded phenanthroline-based rotaxane, coinciding with the crystallography in that the additional π-stacking intercomponent interactions could increase the thermodynamic stability and selectivity of the rotaxanes.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy calculation of 4-(furan-2-yl)-2-(6-methyl-2,4-dioxo-pyran-3-yl-idene)-2,3,4,5-tetra-hydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine

The title compound {systematic name: (S,E)-3-[4-(furan-2-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetra-hydro-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepin-2-yl-idene]-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4(3H)-dione}, C19H16N2O4, is constructed from a benzodiazepine ring system linked to furan and pendant di-hydro-pyran rings, where the benzene and furan rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 48.7 (2)°. The pyran ring is modestly non-planar [largest deviation of 0.029 (4) Å from the least-squares plane] while the tetra-hydro-diazepine ring adopts a boat conformation. The rotational orientation of the pendant di-hydro-pyran ring is partially determined by an intra-molecular N-HDiazp⋯ODhydp (Diazp = diazepine and Dhydp = di-hydro-pyran) hydrogen bond. In the crystal, layers of mol-ecules parallel to the bc plane are formed by N-HDiazp⋯ODhydp hydrogen bonds and slipped π-π stacking inter-actions. The layers are connected by additional slipped π-π stacking inter-actions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (46.8%), H⋯O/O⋯H (23.5%) and H⋯C/C⋯H (15.8%) inter-actions, indicating that van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant forces in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal the N-H⋯O hydrogen-bond energy is 57.5 kJ mol-1.

Charge density studies of multicentre two-electron bonding of an anion radical at non-ambient temperature and pressure

The variation of charge density of two-electron multicentre bonding (pancake bonding) between semi-quinone radicals with pressure and temperature was studied on a salt of 5,6-di-chloro-2,3-di-cyano-semi-quinone radical anion (DDQ) with 4-cyano-N-methyl-pyridinium cation (4-CN) using the Transferable Aspheric Atom Model (TAAM) refinement. The pancake-bonded radical dimers are stacked by non-bonding π-interactions. With rising pressure, the covalent character of interactions between radicals increases, and above 2.55 GPa, the electron density indicates multicentric covalent interactions throughout the stack. The experimental charge densities were verified and corroborated by periodic DFT computations. The TAAM approach has been tested and validated for atomic resolution data measured at ambient pressure; this work shows this approach can also be applied to diffraction data obtained at pressures up to several gigapascals.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-(2-oxo-3-phenyl-1,2,3,8a-tetra-hydro-quinoxalin-1-yl)ethyl acetate

In the title mol-ecule, C18H16N2O3, the di-hydro-quinoxaline moiety, with the exception of the N atom is essentially planar with the inner part of the methyl-propano-ate group (CH2-CH2-O) nearly perpendicular to it. In the crystal, inversion dimers formed by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are connected into oblique stacks by π-stacking and C-H⋯π(ring) inter-actions.

Globular Aggregates Stemming from the Self-Assembly of an Amphiphilic N-Annulated Perylene Bisimide in Aqueous Media

Herein, we describe the synthesis of highly emissive amphiphilic N-annulated PBI 1 decorated with oligo ethylene glycol (OEG) side chains. These polar side chains allow the straightforward solubility of 1 in solvents of different polarity such as water, iPrOH, dioxane, or chloroform. Compound 1 self-assembles in aqueous media by π-stacking of the aromatic units and van der Waals interactions, favored by the hydrophobic effect. The hypo- and hypsochromic effect observed in the UV-Vis spectra of 1 in water in comparison to chloroform is diagnostic of H-type aggregation. Solvent denaturation experiments allow deriving the free Gibbs energy for the self-assembly process in aqueous media and the factor m that is indicative of the influence exerted by a good solvent in the stability of the final aggregates. The ability of compound 1 to self-assemble in water yields globular aggregates that have been visualized by TEM imaging.

Precise Distance Measurements in DNA G-Quadruplex Dimers and Sandwich Complexes by Pulsed Dipolar EPR Spectroscopy

DNA G-quadruplexes show a pronounced tendency to form higher-order structures, such as π-stacked dimers and aggregates with aromatic binding partners. Reliable methods for determining the structure of these non-covalent adducts are scarce. Here, we use artificial square-planar Cu(pyridine)4 complexes, covalently incorporated into tetramolecular G-quadruplexes, as rigid spin labels for detecting dimeric structures and measuring intermolecular Cu2+ -Cu2+ distances via pulsed dipolar EPR spectroscopy. A series of G-quadruplex dimers of different spatial dimensions, formed in tail-to-tail or head-to-head stacking mode, were unambiguously distinguished. Measured distances are in full agreement with results of molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, intercalation of two well-known G-quadruplex binders, PIPER and telomestatin, into G-quadruplex dimers resulting in sandwich complexes was investigated, and previously unknown binding modes were discovered. Additionally, we present evidence that free G-tetrads also intercalate into dimers. Our transition metal labeling approach, combined with pulsed EPR spectroscopy, opens new possibilities for examining structures of non-covalent DNA aggregates.

Near-Infrared Phosphorescence Emission of Binuclear Mn(II) Based Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Photoelectric Conversion

The development of metal-organic framework (MOF) based room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials has raised extensive concern owing to their widespread applications in the field of anti-counterfeiting, photovoltaics, photocatalytic reactions, and bio-imaging. Herein, one new binuclear Mn(II) based 3D MOF [Mn₂(L)(BMIB)·(H₂O)] (1) (H₅L = 3,5-bis(3,5-dicarboxylphenxoy) benzoic acid, BMIB = tran-4-bis(2-methylimidazolyl)butylene) has been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. In 1, the protonated BMIB cations show infinite π-stacking arrangement, residing in the channels of the 3D network extended by L ligand and binuclear Mn(II) units. The orderly and uniform host-guest system at molecular level emits intense white light fluorescence and long-lived near infrared phosphorescence under ambient conditions. These photophysical processes were well-studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Photoelectron measurements reveal high photoelectron response behavior and incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE).

Five concomitant polymorphs of a green fluorescent protein chromophore (GFPc) analogue: understanding variations in photoluminescence with π-stacking interactions

The synthetically modified green fluorescent protein chromophore analogue 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene imidazolinone (1) yielded five polymorphs (I, II, III, IV, V) concomitantly irrespective of the solvent used for crystallization. The pentamorphic modification of 1 is solely due to the interplay of iso-energetic weak intermolecular interactions in molecular associations as well as the conformational flexibility offered by a C-C single bond, which connects the electron-deficient moiety imidazolinone with the electron-rich trimethoxybenzylidene group. A common structural feature observed in all the polymorphs is the formation of a `zero-dimensional' centrosymmetric dimeric unit through a short and linear C-H...O hydrogen bond engaging phenyl C-H and imidazolinone carbonyl oxygen. However, the networking of these dimeric units showed a subtle difference in all the polymorphs. The 2D isostructurality was observed between polymorphs I, II and III, while the other two polymorphs IV and V revealed only `zero-dimensional' isostructurality. The different fluorescence emissions of Form I (blue) and Forms II to V (yellow) were attributed to the differences in π-stacking interactions. It shows that one can modulate the photophysical properties of these smart materials by slightly altering their crystal structure. Such an approach will aid in developing new multi-colour organic fluorescent materials of varying crystal structures for live-cell imaging and fluorescent sensing applications.

Tuning of Molecular Electrostatic Potential Enables Efficient Charge Transport in Crystalline Azaacenes: A Computational Study

The chemical versatility of organic semiconductors provides nearly unlimited opportunities for tuning their electronic properties. However, despite decades of research, the relationship between molecular structure, molecular packing and charge mobility in these materials remains poorly understood. This reduces the search for high-mobility organic semiconductors to the inefficient trial-and-error approach. For clarifying the abovementioned relationship, investigations of the effect of small changes in the chemical structure on organic semiconductor properties are particularly important. In this study, we computationally address the impact of the substitution of C-H atom pairs by nitrogen atoms (N-substitution) on the molecular properties, molecular packing and charge mobility of crystalline oligoacenes. We observe that besides decreasing frontier molecular orbital levels, N-substitution dramatically alters molecular electrostatic potential, yielding pronounced electron-rich and electron-deficient areas. These changes in the molecular electrostatic potential strengthen face-to-face and edge-to-edge interactions in the corresponding crystals and result in the crossover from the herringbone packing motif to π-stacking. When the electron-rich and electron-deficient areas are large, sharply defined and, probably, have a certain symmetry, calculated charge mobility increases up to 3-4 cm2V-1s-1. The results obtained highlight the potential of azaacenes for application in organic electronic devices and are expected to facilitate the rational design of organic semiconductors for the steady improvement of organic electronics.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, inter-action energy and DFT studies of 4-[(4-allyl-2-meth-oxy-phen-oxy)meth-yl]-1-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole

In the title mol-ecule, C20H21N3O3, the allyl substituent is rotated out of the plane of its attached phenyl ring [torsion angle 100.66 (15)°]. In the crystal, C-HMthphn⋯OMthphn (Mthphn = meth-oxy-phen-yl) hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of (100) layers that are connected into a three-dimensional network by C-H⋯π(ring) inter-actions, together with π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.7318 (10) Å] between parallel phenyl rings. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H⋯H (48.7%) and H⋯C/C⋯H (23.3%) inter-actions. Computational chemistry reveals that the C-HMthphn⋯OMthphn hydrogen bond energy is 47.1 kJ mol-1. The theoretical structure, optimized by density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/ 6-311 G(d,p) level, is compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies of 6-bromo-3-(12-bromo-dodec-yl)-2-(4-nitro-phen-yl)-4H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine

The title compound, C24H30Br2N4O2, consists of a 2-(4-nitro-phen-yl)-4H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine entity with a 12-bromo-dodecyl substituent attached to the pyridine N atom. The middle eight-carbon portion of the side chain is planar to within 0.09 (1) Å and makes a dihedral angle of 21.9 (8)° with the mean plane of the imidazolo-pyridine moiety, giving the mol-ecule a V-shape. In the crystal, the imidazolo-pyridine units are associated through slipped π-π stacking inter-actions together with weak C-HPyr⋯ONtr and C-HBrmdc-yl⋯ONtr (Pyr = pyridine, Ntr = nitro and Brmdcyl = bromo-dodec-yl) hydrogen bonds. The 12-bromo-dodecyl chains overlap with each other between the stacks. The terminal -CH2Br group of the side chain shows disorder over two resolved sites in a 0.902 (3):0.098 (3) ratio. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (48.1%), H⋯Br/Br⋯H (15.0%) and H⋯O/O⋯H (12.8%) inter-actions. The optimized mol-ecular structure, using density functional theory at the B3LYP/ 6-311 G(d,p) level, is compared with the experimentally determined structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of hexyl 1-hexyl-2-oxo-1,2-di-hydro-quinoline-4-carboxyl-ate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H31NO3, comprises of one mol-ecule. The mol-ecule is not planar, with the carboxyl-ate ester group inclined by 33.47 (4)° to the heterocyclic ring. Individual mol-ecules are linked by aromaticC-H⋯Ocarbon-yl hydrogen bonds into chains running parallel to [001]. Slipped π-π stacking inter-actions between quinoline moieties link these chains into layers extending parallel to (100). Hirshfeld surface analysis, two-dimensional fingerprint plots and mol-ecular electrostatic potential surfaces were used to qu-antify the inter-molecular inter-actions present in the crystal, indicating that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (72%), O⋯H/H⋯O (14.5%) and C⋯H/H⋯C (5.6%) inter-actions.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy and DFT studies of 1-(1,3-benzo-thia-zol-2-yl)-3-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)imidazolidin-2-one

In the title mol-ecule, C12H13N3O2S, the benzo-thia-zine moiety is slightly non-planar, with the imidazolidine portion twisted only a few degrees out of the mean plane of the former. In the crystal, a layer structure parallel to the bc plane is formed by a combination of O-HHydethy⋯NThz hydrogen bonds and weak C-HImdz⋯OImdz and C-HBnz⋯OImdz (Hydethy = hy-droxy-ethyl, Thz = thia-zole, Imdz = imidazolidine and Bnz = benzene) inter-actions, together with C-HImdz⋯π(ring) and head-to-tail slipped π-stacking [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.6507 (7) and 3.6866 (7) Å] inter-actions between thia-zole rings. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (47.0%), H⋯O/O⋯H (16.9%), H⋯C/C⋯H (8.0%) and H⋯S/S⋯H (7.6%) inter-actions. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal, C-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen-bond energies are 68.5 (for O-HHydethy⋯NThz), 60.1 (for C-HBnz⋯OImdz) and 41.8 kJ mol-1 (for C-HImdz⋯OImdz). Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, inter-action energy and DFT studies of (2Z)-2-(2,4-di-chloro-benzyl-idene)-4-nonyl-3,4-di-hydro-2H-1,4-benzo-thia-zin-3-one

The title compound, C24H27Cl2NOS, contains 1,4-benzo-thia-zine and 2,4-di-chloro-phenyl-methyl-idene units in which the di-hydro-thia-zine ring adopts a screw-boat conformation. In the crystal, inter-molecular C-HBnz⋯OThz (Bnz = benzene and Thz = thia-zine) hydrogen bonds form chains of mol-ecules extending along the a-axis direction, which are connected to their inversion-related counterparts by C-HBnz⋯ClDchlphy (Dchlphy = 2,4-di-chloro-phen-yl) hydrogen bonds and C-HDchlphy⋯π (ring) inter-actions. These double chains are further linked by C-HDchlphy⋯OThz hydrogen bonds, forming stepped layers approximately parallel to (012). The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (44.7%), C⋯H/H⋯C (23.7%), Cl⋯H/H⋯Cl (18.9%), O⋯H/H⋯O (5.0%) and S⋯H/H⋯S (4.8%) inter-actions. Hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal, C-HDchlphy⋯OThz, C-HBnz⋯OThz and C-HBnz⋯ClDchlphy hydrogen-bond energies are 134.3, 71.2 and 34.4 kJ mol-1, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap. The two carbon atoms at the end of the nonyl chain are disordered in a 0.562 (4)/0.438 (4) ratio.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies of 1-benzyl-3-[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)meth-yl]-2,3-di-hydro-1H-1,3-benzo-diazol-2-one monohydrate

In the title mol-ecule, C24H21N5O·H2O, the di-hydro-benzo-diazole moiety is not quite planar, while the whole mol-ecule adopts a U-shaped conformation in which there is a close approach of the two benzyl groups. In the crystal, chains of alternating mol-ecules and lattice water extending along [201] are formed by O-HUncoordW⋯ODhyr and O-HUncoordW⋯NTrz (UncoordW = uncoordinated water, Dhyr = di-hydro and Trz = triazole) hydrogen bonds. The chains are connected into layers parallel to (010) by C-HTrz⋯OUncoordW hydrogen bonds with the di-hydro-benzo-diazole units in adjacent layers inter-calating to form head-to-tail π-stacking [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.5694 (11) Å] inter-actions between them, which generates the overall three-dimensional structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (52.1%), H⋯C/C⋯H (23.8%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (11.2%) inter-actions. Hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/ 6-311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy and DFT studies of 1-methyl-3-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2,3-di-hydro-1H-1,3-benzo-diazol-2-one

In the title mol-ecule, C11H10N2O, the di-hydro-benzimidazol-2-one moiety is essentially planar, with the prop-2-yn-1-yl substituent rotated well out of this plane. In the crystal, C-HMthy⋯π(ring) inter-actions and C-HProp⋯ODhyr (Mthy = methyl, Prop = prop-2-yn-1-yl and Dhyr = di-hydro) hydrogen bonds form corrugated layers parallel to (10), which are associated through additional C-HBnz⋯ODhyr (Bnz = benzene) hydrogen bonds and head-to-tail, slipped, π-stacking [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.7712 (7) Å] inter-actions between di-hydro-benzimidazol-2-one moieties. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H⋯H (44.1%), H⋯C/C⋯H (33.5%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (13.4%) inter-actions. Hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry calculations indicate that in the crystal, C-H⋯O hydrogen-bond energies are 46.8 and 32.5 (for C-HProp⋯ODhyr) and 20.2 (for C-HBnz⋯ODhyr) kJ mol-1. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy and DFT studies of (2Z)-4-benzyl-2-(2,4-di-chloro-benzyl-idene)-2H-1,4-benzo-thia-zin-3(4H)-one

The title compound, C22H15Cl2NOS, contains 1,4-benzo-thia-zine and 2,4-di--chloro-benzyl-idene units, where the di-hydro-thia-zine ring adopts a screw-boat conformation. In the crystal, inter-molecular C-HBnz⋯OThz (Bnz = benzene and Thz = thia-zine) hydrogen bonds form corrugated chains extending along the b-axis direction which are connected into layers parallel to the bc plane by inter-molecular C-HMethy⋯SThz (Methy = methyl-ene) hydrogen bonds, en-closing R 4 4(22) ring motifs. Offset π-stacking inter-actions between 2,4-di--chloro-phenyl rings [centroid-centroid = 3.7701 (8) Å] and π-inter-actions which are associated by C-HBnz⋯π(ring) and C-HDchlphy⋯π(ring) (Dchlphy = 2,4-di-chloro-phen-yl) inter-actions may be effective in the stabilization of the crystal structure. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (29.1%), H⋯C/C⋯H (27.5%), H⋯Cl/Cl⋯H (20.6%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (7.0%) inter-actions. Hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal, the C-HBnz⋯OThz and C-HMethy⋯SThz hydrogen-bond energies are 55.0 and 27.1 kJ mol-1, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies of ethyl 2-{4-[(2-eth-oxy-2-oxoeth-yl)(phen-yl)carbamo-yl]-2-oxo-1,2-di-hydro-quinolin-1-yl}acetate

The title com-pound, C24H24N2O6, consists of ethyl 2-(1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-2-oxo-quinolin-1-yl)acetate and 4-[(2-eth-oxy-2-oxoeth-yl)(phen-yl)carbomoyl] units, where the oxo-quinoline unit is almost planar and the acetate substituent is nearly perpendicular to its mean plane. In the crystal, C-HOxqn⋯OEthx and C-HPh-yl⋯OCarbx (Oxqn = oxoquinolin, Ethx = eth-oxy, Phyl = phenyl and Carbx = carboxyl-ate) weak hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network sturucture. A π-π inter-action between the constituent rings of the oxo-quinoline unit, with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.675 (1) Å may further stabilize the structure. Both terminal ethyl groups are disordered over two sets of sites. The ratios of the refined occupanies are 0.821 (8):0.179 (8) and 0.651 (18):0.349 (18). The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (53.9%), H⋯O/O⋯H (28.5%) and H⋯C/C⋯H (11.8%) inter-actions. Weak inter-molecular hydrogen-bond inter-actions and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Density functional theory (DFT) geometric optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level are com-pared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO mol-ecular orbital behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structures of two dimeric nickel di-phenyl-acetate com-plexes

The mol­ecular and crystal structures of μ-aqua-κ²O:O-di-μ-di­phenyl­acetato-κ⁴O:O′-bis­[(di­phenyl­acetato-κO)bis­(pyridine-κN)nickel(II)] and μ-aqua-κ²O:O-di-μ-di­phenyl­acetato-κ⁴O:O′-bis­[(2,2′-bi­pyridine-κ²N,N′)(di­phenyl­acetato-κO)nickel(II)]–aceto­nitrile–di­phenyl­acetic acid (1/2.5/1) are reported. Hirshfeld surface analysis of both com­pounds have been carried out.

In the crystal structures of the title com­pounds, namely μ-aqua-κ²O:O-di-μ-di­phenyl­acetato-κ⁴O:O′-bis­[(di­phenyl­acetato-κO)bis­(pyridine-κN)nickel(II)], [Ni₂(C₁₄H₁₁O₂)₄(C₅H₅N)₄(H₂O)] (1) and μ-aqua-κ²O:O-di-μ-di­phenyl­acetato-κ⁴O:O′-bis­[(2,2′-bi­pyridine-κ²N,N′)(di­phenyl­acetato-κO)nickel(II)]–aceto­nitrile–di­phenyl­acetic acid (1/2.5/1), [Ni₂(C₁₄H₁₁O₂)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)]·2.5CH₃CN·C₁₄H₁₂O₂ (2), the com­plex units are stabilized by a variety of intra- and inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, as well as C—H⋯π and π–π contacts between the aromatic systems of the pyridine, dipyridyl and di­phenyl­acetate ligands. Despite the fact that the di­phenyl­acetate ligand is sterically bulky, this does not inter­fere with the formation of the described aqua-bridged dimeric core, even with a 2,2′-bi­pyridine ligand, which has a strong chelating effect.

Hooking Together Sigmoidal Monomers into Supramolecular Polymers

Supramolecular polymers show great potential in the development of new materials because of their inherent recyclability and their self-healing and stimuli-responsive properties. Supramolecular conductive polymers are generally obtained by the assembly of individual aromatic molecules into columnar arrays that provide an optimal channel for electronic transport. A new approach is reported to prepare supramolecular polymers by hooking together sigmoidal monomers into 1D arrays of π-stacked anthracene and acridine units, which gives rise to micrometer-sized fibrils that show pseudoconductivities in line with other conducting materials. This approach paves the way for the design of new supramolecular polymers constituted by acene derivatives with enhanced excitonic and electronic transporting properties.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy and DFT studies of 2-chloro-ethyl 2-oxo-1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,2-di-hydro-quinoline-4-carboxyl-ate

The title compound, C15H12ClNO3, consists of a 1,2-di-hydro-quinoline-4-carb-oxyl-ate unit with 2-chloro-ethyl and propynyl substituents, where the quinoline moiety is almost planar and the propynyl substituent is nearly perpendicular to its mean plane. In the crystal, the mol-ecules form zigzag stacks along the a-axis direction through slightly offset π-stacking inter-actions between inversion-related quinoline moieties which are tied together by inter-molecular C-HPrpn-yl⋯OCarbx and C-HChlethy⋯OCarbx (Prpnyl = propynyl, Carbx = carboxyl-ate and Chlethy = chloro-eth-yl) hydrogen bonds. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (29.9%), H⋯O/O⋯H (21.4%), H⋯C/C⋯ H (19.4%), H⋯Cl/Cl⋯H (16.3%) and C⋯C (8.6%) inter-actions. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals inter-actions are the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal, the C-HPrpn-yl⋯OCarbx and C-HChlethy⋯OCarbx hydrogen bond energies are 67.1 and 61.7 kJ mol-1, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/ 6-311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy and DFT studies of 4-[(prop-2-en-1-yl-oxy)meth-yl]-3,6-bis-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridazine

The title compound, C18H16N4O, consists of a 3,6-bis-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridazine moiety linked to a 4-[(prop-2-en-1-yl-oxy)meth-yl] group. The pyridine-2-yl rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 17.34 (4)° and are rotated slightly out of the plane of the pyridazine ring. In the crystal, C-HPyrd⋯NPyrdz (Pyrd = pyridine and Pyrdz = pyridazine) hydrogen bonds and C-HPrp-oxy⋯π (Prp-oxy = prop-2-en-1-yl-oxy) inter-actions link the mol-ecules, forming deeply corrugated layers approximately parallel to the bc plane and stacked along the a-axis direction. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (48.5%), H⋯C/C⋯H (26.0%) and H⋯N/N⋯H (17.1%) contacts, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals inter-actions being the dominant inter-actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that in the crystal, the C-HPyrd⋯NPyrdz hydrogen-bond energy is 64.3 kJ mol-1. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol-ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO-LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.

Crystal structure, DFT study and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1-nonyl-2,3-di-hydro-1H-indole-2,3-dione

In the title mol-ecule, C17H23NO2, the di-hydro-indole portion is planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0157 Å) and the nonyl substituent is in an 'extended' conformation. In the crystal, the nonyl chains inter-calate and the di-hydro-indole-dione units are associated through C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form micellar blocks. Based on the Hirshfeld surface analysis, the most important inter-molecular inter-action is the H⋯H inter-action.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and inter-action energy and DFT studies of 5,5-diphenyl-1,3-bis-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione

The title mol­ecule consists of an imidazolidine unit linked to two phenyl rings and two prop-2-yn-1-yl moieties. The imidazolidine ring is oriented at dihedral angles of 79.10 (5) and 82.61 (5)° with respect to the phenyl rings, while the dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 62.06 (5)°. In the crystal, C—H_Prop⋯O_Imdzln (Prop = prop-2-yn-1-yl and Imdzln = imidazolidine) hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into infinite chains along the b-axis direction. Two weak C—H_Phen⋯π inter­actions are also observed.

The title compound, C₂₁H₁₆N₂O₂, consists of an imidazolidine unit linked to two phenyl rings and two prop-2-yn-1-yl moieties. The imidazolidine ring is oriented at dihedral angles of 79.10 (5) and 82.61 (5)° with respect to the phenyl rings, while the dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 62.06 (5)°. In the crystal, inter­molecular C—H_Prop⋯O_Imdzln (Prop = prop-2-yn-1-yl and Imdzln = imidazolidine) hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into infinite chains along the b-axis direction. Two weak C—H_Phen⋯π inter­actions are also observed. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H⋯H (43.3%), H⋯C/C⋯H (37.8%) and H⋯O/O⋯H (18.0%) inter­actions. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals inter­actions are the dominant inter­actions in the crystal packing. Computational chemistry indicates that the C—H_Prop⋯O_Imdzln hydrogen-bond energy in the crystal is −40.7 kJ mol⁻¹. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6–311G(d,p) level are compared with the experimentally determined mol­ecular structure in the solid state. The HOMO–LUMO behaviour was elucidated to determine the energy gap.