Carbodiphosphorane mediated synthesis of a triflyloxyphosphonium dication and its reactivity towards nucleophiles

A carbodiphosphorane ((Ph₃P)₂C) mediated synthesis of the first triflyloxyphosphonium dication (12+) bearing two electrophilic sites is presented. Depending on the nucleophile, 12+ reacts selectively either at the sulfur atom of the triflyloxy moiety or at the directly attached phosphorus atom. In substitution reactions at the phosphorus atom the triflyloxy moiety serves as a leaving group and enables the synthesis of rare examples of pseudo-halophosphonium dications.

NO3- anions can act as Lewis acid in the solid state

Identifying electron donating and accepting moieties is crucial to understanding molecular aggregation, which is of pivotal significance to biology. Anions such as NO₃^- are typical electron donors. However, computations predict that the charge distribution of NO₃^- is anisotropic and minimal on nitrogen. Here we show that when the nitrate's charge is sufficiently dampened by resonating over a larger area, a Lewis acidic site emerges on nitrogen that can interact favourably with electron rich partners. Surveys of the Cambridge Structural Database and Protein Data Bank reveal geometric preferences of some oxygen and sulfur containing entities around a nitrate anion that are consistent with this 'π-hole bonding' geometry. Computations reveal donor-acceptor orbital interactions that confirm the counterintuitive Lewis π-acidity of nitrate.

Ambiguous reactivity of Li/Cl phosphinidenoid complexes under redox conditions - a novel dichotomy in phosphorus chemistry

A novel ambiguous reactivity of Li/Cl phosphinidenoid complexes under redox conditions is described. The outcome of the reaction with hexafluoroacetone is highly dependent on the P-substituent as fluoride substitution occurred in the case of R = CPh₃ and C₅Me₅via a radical pathway, whereas for R = CH(SiMe₃)₂ a complex having a novel 1,2-diol-type P-ligand was obtained via a closed-shell pathway. DFT calculations reveal a new SET pathway starting with a noncovalent π-hole complex between the phosphinidenoid anion and hexafluoroacetone followed by an elimination of LiF. The second, closed-shell reaction course is strongly influenced by a noncovalent OSi interaction established after the initial nucleophilic attack.

The first X-ray structure of a silver–nucleotide complex: interaction of ion Ag(i) with cytidine-5′-monophosphate

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of an unprecedented complex of Ag(i) with cytidine-5′-monophosphate (HCMP) is reported. The coordination of Ag(i) to HCMP is via both the N3 and O2 atoms of two cytosine moieties and the phosphate group, generating a MOF.

Solid-state inclusion of C60 and C70 in a co-polymer induced by metal–ligand coordination of a Zn–porphyrin cage with a bis-pyridyl perylene derivative

We have conducted X-ray characterization of two unprecedented supramolecular solids involving three different components: a suitable Zn(ii)–bisporphyrin cage, a bis-pyridyl perylene derivative and a fullerene.

A highly selective “ON–OFF” probe for colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of Cu2+in water

A new diformyl phenol based probe for selective detection of Cu²⁺in aqueous medium, applicable for cell imaging in Vero cells. Theoretical studies were performed to establish the underlying keto–enol tautomerism and optimization of the Cu²⁺complex.

Hydrogen- and halogen-bond cooperativity in determining the crystal packing of dihalogen charge-transfer adducts: a study case from heterocyclic pentatomic chalcogenone donors

A synergic cooperation between HB and XB interactions determines the supramolecular architectures in dihalogen CT adducts of hydantoin-like chalcogen donors.

Nuclearity versus oxidation state in the catalytic efficiency of MnII/III azo Schiff base complexes: computational study on supramolecular interactions and phenoxazinone synthase-like activity

Supramolecular interactions of a mononuclear Mn(iii) and a tetranuclear Zn(ii)–Mn(ii) complexes and their comparative bio mimetic catalytic activity have been reported.

Molecular and crystalline architectures based on HgI2: from metallamacrocycles to coordination polymers

We report the synthesis and X-ray characterization of three metallamacrocycles and one coordination polymer obtained by using coordination driven self-assembly of the HgI₂ salt with four different ligands.

Both end-on and end-to-end azide bridged tetranuclear ferromagnetic nickel(ii) Schiff base complexes

Variable temperature magnetic measurement of a tetranuclear nickel(ii) complex, consisting of two pseudo-dinuclear entities, indicates the presence of intra- and inter-dinuclear ferromagnetic interactions, corroborated by DFT calculations.

A Schiff base platform: structures, sensing of Zn(ii) and PPi in aqueous medium and anticancer activity

A Schiff base platform was explored to present structural aspects of its Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) coordination compounds, sensing behavior towards Zn(ii) and PPi in aqueous medium and anticancer activity.

Donor–acceptor interactions in tri(phosphonio)methanide dications [(Ph3P)2CP(X)Ph2]2+(X = H, Me, CN, NCS, OH, Cl, OTf, F)

The impact of the strongly electron donating carbodiphosphorane moiety in the series of tri(phosphonio)methanide dications as triflate salts [(Ph₃P)₂CP(X)Ph₂][OTf]₂(X = H, Me, CN, NCS, OH, Cl, OTf, F) deriving from [(Ph₃P)₂CPPh₂][OTf] (19[OTf]) is presented.

Supramolecular nanotubes based on halogen bonding interactions: cooperativity and interaction with small guests

In this manuscript the formation of a series of self-assembled supramolecular nanotubes (SNTs) governed by noncovalent halogen bonding interactions is studied.

Cooperative influence of pseudohalides and ligand backbone of Schiff-bases on nuclearity and stereochemistry of cobalt(iii) complexes: experimental and theoretical investigation

The ligand backbone effect of homologous Schiff-bases in combination with influences of SCN⁻ and N₃⁻ is instrumental in controlling nuclearity and stereochemistry of catecholase active cobalt(iii) complexes.