Mononuclear and dinuclear trimethylplatinum(iv) iodide complexes of 3-substituted pyridines

A series of mononuclear and dinuclear trimethylplatinum(iv) complexes of 3-substituted pyridines has been studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, DFT computational and X-ray crystal structure analysis.

On the Versatility of BH2 X (X=F, Cl, Br, and I) Compounds as Halogen-, Hydrogen-, and Triel-Bond Donors: An Ab Initio Study

In this manuscript, the ability of BH₂ X compounds (X=F, Cl, Br, and I) to establish halogen-, hydrogen-, and triel-bonding interactions was studied at the RI-MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ level of theory. Several homodimers were taken into account, highlighting the versatility of these compounds to act as both electron donors and electron acceptors. Natural bond orbital analysis showed that orbital effects were important contributors to the global stabilization of the σ- and π-hole bonded complexes studied. Finally, some X-ray solid-state structures retrieved from the Cambridge structural database were described to demonstrate the importance of these interactions involving boron derivatives in the solid state.

Fluorescent Lipid Nanoparticles as Biomembrane Models for Exploring Emerging Contaminant Bioavailability Supported by Density Functional Theory Calculations

Experimental sensing schemes and thermodynamic in-silico studies are combined holistically in this manuscript so as to give new insights into the bioavailability of environmental contaminants via permeation across lipid nanoparticles (liposomes) as a mimicry of biological membranes. Using Prodan and Laurdan as fluorescent membrane probes, phosphatidylcholine-based unilamellar liposomes are harnessed to investigate membranotropic effects of alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and triclosan in vitro on the basis of steady-state fluorescence anisotropy, light scattering, and generalized polarization measurements. The feasibility of the analytical responses to ascertain differences in temperature-dependent contaminant bioavailability is investigated in detail. High level density functional theory (DFT) calculations (RI-BP86-D3/def2-SVP) have been resorted to investigate noncovalent 1:1 complexes of the fluorescent probes and emerging contaminants with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, as a minimalist model of a lipid nanoparticle, to evaluate both the interaction energies and the geometries of the complexes. This information can be related to the degree of penetration of the guest across the lipid bilayer. Our experimental results supported by in-silico DFT calculations and ecotoxicological data let us to conclude that simple analytical measurements of liposomal changes in lipid packaging, permeability, and fluidity are appropriate to foresee the potential bioavailability and toxicity of emerging contaminants.

π-Hole aerogen bonding interactions

In this manuscript we combine high level ab initio calculations (RI-MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ) and the analysis of several crystal structures to demonstrate the existence of π-hole aerogen bonding interactions in Xe(iv) compounds. The ability of XeF4 and Xe(OMe)4 to interact with electron rich molecules is rationalized using several computational tools, including molecular electrostatic potential surfaces, energetic and geometric features of the complexes and "atoms in molecules" (AIM) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analyses. We have found support for the π-hole interaction involving the xenon atom from the solid state architecture of several X-ray structures retrieved from the crystal structural depot. Particularly, π-hole aerogen bonding interactions are quite common in the solid state of Xe(IV) compounds.

On the Importance of Noncovalent Carbon-Bonding Interactions in the Stabilization of a 1D Co(II) Polymeric Chain as a Precursor of a Novel 2D Coordination Polymer

A new cobalt(II) coordination polymer 2 with μ1,5 dicyanamide (dca) and a bidentate ligand 3,5-dimethyl-1-(2'-pyridyl)pyrazole (pypz) is prepared in a stepwise manner using the newly synthesized one-dimensional linear Co(II) coordination polymer 1 as a precursor. The structural and thermal characterizations elucidate that the more stable complex 2 shows a two-dimensional layer structural feature. Here, Co(II) atoms with μ1,5 dicyanamido bridges are linked by the ligand pypz forming a macrocyclic chain that runs along the crystallographic 'c' axis having 'sql' (Shubnikov notation) net topology with a 4-connected uninodal node having point symbol {4(4).6(2)}. The remarkable noncovalent carbon-bonding contacts detected in the X-ray structure of compound 1 are analyzed and characterized by density functional theory calculations and the analysis of electron charge density (atoms in molecules).

Correction: A crystalline sponge based on dispersive forces suitable for X-ray structure determination of included molecular guests

Correction for ‘A crystalline sponge based on dispersive forces suitable for X-ray structure determination of included molecular guests’ by Elena Sanna et al., Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 5466–5472.