Kristall-Engineering: eine holistische Darstellung

Boat and Chair Shaped Hexahalogen Synthons

Non-covalent halogen bonding interactions are quintessential in crystal engineering for the construction of distinctive supramolecular synthons. Here, we report the first crystalline evidences of unique boat and chair shaped cyclic hexahalogen synthons in the crystal structures of α,α,α',α',4-pentabromo-o-xylene (PBX) and α,α,α',α',4,5-hexabromo-o-xylene (HBX) respectively. Nature and stability of constituent interactions in the supramolecular synthons are scrutinized with the help of quantum-chemical calculations. Pendás' interacting quantum atoms approach confirmed the stability of Br⋅⋅⋅Br interactions leading to boat and chair shaped synthons with major contribution from exchange-correlation. Although both the molecules are achiral in nature, the packing forces guide PBX to crystallize in the chiral space group P2₁ with a helix-like orientation while HBX packs in a centrosymmetric P2₁ /n space group. The extended furcations in the pentabromo derivative construct a molecular framework consisting of macrocycles realized through halogen bonding.

Contrasting the Noncovalent Interactions of Aromatic Sulfonyl Fluoride and Sulfonyl Chloride Motifs via Crystallography and Hirshfeld Surfaces

A heteroaryl sulfonyl(VI) fluoride, 4-chloro-7-fluorosulfonyl-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, was synthesized from its chloride counterpart (4-chloro-7-chlorosulfonyl-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole) and the X-ray structure analysis of these compounds and the interactions in the solid-state were thoroughly examined. Hirshfeld surface analysis is used to provide a thorough and complete picture of the changes arising from the different halides in the functional groups. Surface analysis reveals that the fluoride does not participate in any hydrogen interactions as opposed to the chloride. However, the fluorine atom is observed to form close interactions with several π bonds. For both moieties, however, the sulfonyl oxygens show comparable interactions with respect to both magnitude and interatomic distances. The Hirshfeld surface analysis is coupled with computational studies to help elucidate the observed interactions that are found from the distinct nitrogen, chlorine, and oxygen atoms present in the molecules, providing new physical insights to the correlation between their structures and properties.

Energy‐Efficient Iodine Uptake by a Molecular Host⋅Guest Crystal

Recently, porous organic crystals (POC) based on macrocycles have shown exceptional sorption and separation properties. Yet, the impact of guest presence inside a macrocycle prior to adsorption has not been studied. Here we show that the inclusion of trimethoxybenzyl-azaphosphatrane in the macrocycle cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) affords molecular porous host⋅guest crystals (PHGC-1) with radically new properties. Unactivated hydrated PHGC-1 adsorbed iodine spontaneously and selectively at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The absence of (i) heat for material synthesis, (ii) moisture sensitivity, and (iii) energy-intensive steps for pore activation are attractive attributes for decreasing the energy costs. ¹ H NMR and DOSY were instrumental for monitoring the H₂ O/I₂ exchange. PHGC-1 crystals are non-centrosymmetric and I₂ -doped crystals showed markedly different second harmonic generation (SHG), which suggests that iodine doping could be used to modulate the non-linear optical properties of porous organic crystals.

Side‐Chain Control of Topochemical Polymer Single Crystals with Tunable Elastic Modulus

Topochemical polymerizations hold the promise of producing high molecular weight and stereoregular single crystalline polymers by first aligning monomers before polymerization. However, monomer modifications often alter the crystal packing and result in non-reactive polymorphs. Here, we report a systematic study on the side chain functionalization of the bis(indandione) derivative system that can be polymerized under visible light. Precisely engineered side chains help organize the monomer crystals in a one-dimensional fashion to maintain the topochemical reactivity. By optimizing the side chain length and end group of monomers, the elastic modulus of the resulting polymer single crystals can also be greatly enhanced. Lastly, using ultrasonication, insoluble polymer single crystals can be processed into free-standing and robust polymer thin films. This work provides new insights on the molecular design of topochemical reactions and paves the way for future applications of this fascinating family of materials.

Establishing Halogen-Bond Preferences in Molecules with Multiple Acceptor Sites

The interplay between hydrogen bonds (HBs) and halogen bonds (XBs), has been addressed by co-crystallizing two halogen bond donors, 1,4-diiodotetrafluorbenzene(DITFB) and 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene(TITFB) with four series of targets; N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide (Bz-X), N-(pyridin-2-yl)picolinamides (2Pyr-X), N-(pyridin-2-yl)nicotinamides (3Pyr-X), N-(pyridin-2-yl)isonicotinamides (4Pyr-X); X=H/Cl/Br/I. The structural outcomes were compared with interactions in the targets themselves. 13 co-crystals were analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). In all three co-crystals from the 2Pyr series, the intramolecular HB remained intact while the XB donors engaged with the N(pyr) or O=C sites. In the ten co-crystals from the other three series, the intermolecular HBs present in the individual targets were disrupted in 9/10 cases. Overall, the acceptor sites selected by the halogen-bond donors in these targets were distributed as follows; N(pyr)=81 %, O=C (15 %) or π (4 %).

DFT and IsoStar Analyses to Assess the Utility of σ- and π-Hole Interactions for Crystal Engineering

The interpretation of 36 charge neutral 'contact pairs' from the IsoStar database was supported by DFT calculations of model molecules 1-12, and bimolecular adducts thereof. The 'central groups' are σ-hole donors (H2 O and aromatic C-I), π-hole donors (R-C(O)Me, R-NO2 and R-C6 F5 ) and for comparison R-C6 H5 (R=any group or atom). The 'contact groups' are hydrogen bond donors X-H (X=N, O, S, or R2 C, or R3 C) and lone-pair containing fragments (R3 C-F, R-C≡N and R2 C=O). Nearly all the IsoStar distributions follow expectations based on the electrostatic potential of the 'central-' and 'contact group'. Interaction energies (ΔEBSSE ) are dominated by electrostatics (particularly between two polarized molecules) or dispersion (especially in case of large contact area). Orbital interactions never dominate, but could be significant (∼30 %) and of the n/π→σ*/π* kind. The largest degree of directionality in the IsoStar plots was typically observed for adducts more stable than ΔEBSSE ≈-4 kcal⋅mol-1 , which can be seen as a benchmark-value for the utility of an interaction in crystal engineering. This benchmark could be met with all the σ- and π-hole donors studied.

A Series of Manganese(III) Salen Complexes as a Result of Team-Based Inquiry in a Transnational Education Programme

The development of a team-based approach to research-led transnational practical chemistry teaching is described in which a team of five Chinese students on an articulated transnational degree programme, supported by a team of academic and technical staff, carried out a study examining the structural chemistry of a series of manganese(III) salen complexes. A series of four crystallographically characterized manganese(III) salen complexes with ancillary carboxylate ligands are reported here. The carboxylate coordination modes range from the bridging syn-anti μ² -κO : κO' mode observed in the predominant cyclohexanoate and isobutyrate species, to a capping terminal monodentate mode for the adamantanoate species, and an unusual mixture of bridging and terminal coordination modes observed in a second minor phase of the cyclohexanoate species. The variation on extended structures based on the weakly interacting aliphatic backbones may provide a useful basis for further structural studies.

Solid-Phase Radical Polymerization of Halogen-Bond-Based Crystals and Applications to Pre-Shaped Polymer Materials

Liquid vinyl monomers were converted into solid crystals via halogen bonding. They underwent solid-phase radical polymerizations through heating at 40 °C or ultraviolet photo-irradiation (365 nm). The X-ray crystallography analysis showed the high degree of monomer alignment in the crystals. The polymerizations of the solid monomer crystals yielded polymers with high molecular weights and relatively low dispersities because of the high degree of the monomer alignment in the crystal. As a unique application of this system, the crystalized monomers were assembled to pre-determined structures, followed by solid-phase polymerization, to obtain a two-layer polymer sheet and a three-dimensional house-shaped polymer material. The two-layer sheet contained a unique asymmetric pore structure and exhibited a solvent-responsive shape memory property and may find applications to asymmetric membranes and polymer actuators.

Shedding Light on the Interactions of Hydrocarbon Ester Substituents upon Formation of Dimeric Titanium(IV) Triscatecholates in DMSO Solution

The dissociation of hierarchically formed dimeric triple lithium bridged triscatecholate titanium(IV) helicates with hydrocarbyl esters as side groups is systematically investigated in DMSO. Primary alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl as well as benzyl esters are studied in order to minimize steric effects close to the helicate core. The 1 H NMR dimerization constants for the monomer-dimer equilibrium show some solvent dependent influence of the side chains on the dimer stability. In the dimer, the ability of the hydrocarbyl ester groups to aggregate minimizes their contacts with the solvent molecules. Due to this, most solvophobic alkyl groups show the highest dimerization tendency followed by alkenyls, alkynyls and finally benzyls. Furthermore, trends within the different groups of compounds can be observed. For example, the dimer is destabilized by internal double or triple bonds due to π-π repulsion. A strong indication for solvent supported London dispersion interaction between the ester side groups is found by observation of an even/odd alternation of dimerization constants within the series of n-alkyls, n-Ω-alkenyls or n-Ω-alkynyls. This corresponds to the interaction of the parent hydrocarbons, as documented by an even/odd melting point alternation.

Triptycene End-Capped Quinoxalinophenanthrophenazines (QPPs): Influence of Substituents and Conditions on Aggregation in the Solid State

Triptycene end-capped quinoxalinophenanthrophenazine reveals a coplanar arrangement with a high overlap of the π planes. Four structurally related model compounds bearing electron-withdrawing or -donating groups were synthesized, and their optoelectronic properties were characterized by using cyclovoltammetry, absorption- and emission spectroscopy as well as theoretical calculations. The directional robustness of the triptycene end-capping of these compounds was tested by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The impact of solvents and crystallization conditions has also been investigated. In total, 17 single-crystal structures were obtained. Each structure was evaluated for its potential charge-transfer capability taking into account the overall molecular packing, solvent enclathration and the structural overlap of the π planes of adjacent molecules. For this purpose, charge-transfer integrals were also calculated for every π-stacked dimer.

Halogen Bonds of Halotetrafluoropyridines in Crystals and Co-crystals with Benzene and Pyridine

The structures of the three para-substituted halotetrafluoropyridines with chlorine, bromine, and iodine have been determined in the solid state (X-ray diffraction). The structures of these compounds and that of pentafluoropyridine were also determined in the gas phase (electron diffraction). Structures in the solid state of the bromine and iodine derivatives exhibit halogen bonding as a structure-determining motif. On the way to an investigation of halogen bond formation of halotetrafluoropyridines in the solid state with the stronger Lewis base pyridine, co-crystals of benzene adducts were investigated to gain an understanding of the influence of aryl-aryl interactions. These co-crystals showed halogen bonding only for the two heavier halotetrafluoropyridines. In the pyridine co-crystals halogen bonding was observed for all three para-halotetrafluoropyridines. The formation of homodimers and heterodimers with pyridine is also supported by quantum-chemical calculations of electron density topologies and natural bond orbitals.

Bottom-Up Construction and Reversible Structural Transformation of Supramolecular Isomers based on Large Truncated Tetrahedra

A rational synthetic strategy to construct two supramolecular isomers based on polyoxovanadate organic polyhedra with tetrahedral symmetries is presented. VMOP-α, a low-temperature product, has an extremely large cell volume (470 842 ų ), which is one of the top three for well-defined MOPs. The corner-to-corner packing of tetrahedra leads to a quite low density of 0.174 g cm^-3 with 1D channels (ca. 5.4 nm). The effective pore volume is up to 93.6 % of cell volume, nearly the largest found in MOPs. For the high-temperature outcome, VMOP-β, the cell volume is only 15 513 ų . The packing mode of tetrahedra is corner-to-face, giving rise to a high-density architecture (1.324 g cm^-3 ; channel 0.8 nm). Supramolecular structural transformation between VMOP-α and VMOP-β can be reversibly achieved by temperature-induced solvent-mediated transformation. These findings give a good opportunity for understanding 3D supramolecular aggregation and crystal growth based on large molecular tectonics.

Switching of Monomer Fluorescence, Charge-Transfer Fluorescence, and Room-Temperature Phosphorescence Induced by Aromatic Guest Inclusion in a Supramolecular Host

Crystal engineering of three-component crystals with guest-dependent photoluminescence switching, including (i) crystallization-induced emission enhancement, (ii) intermolecular charge-transfer emission, and (iii) room-temperature phosphorescence under ultraviolet irradiation, was demonstrated. This strategy was based on the confinement of aromatic guests in a supramolecular host (denoted as EBPDI-TPFB) composed of 5,5'-(ethyne-1,2-diyl)bis(2-pyridin-3-yl-isoindoline-1,3-dione (EBPDI) with two tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFB) molecules linked by B-N dative bonds that acted as Lewis pairs. The single-crystal X-ray structures of complexes with eight different guests were collected, revealing that the size and/or shape of the supramolecular host EBPDI-TPFB was modulated by the included guest molecules. The excellent guest inclusion ability of EBPDI-TPFB allowed systematic photoluminescence regulation of the complexes, which exhibited multicolor emissions in the crystalline state. Photoluminescence switching characteristics of the complexes were observed upon removing the guests or mechanical grinding of the crystals. These results indicated that using the host-guest chemistry of multicomponent crystals not only facilitates crystallization, but also can reveal hidden optical functions by combining molecules of interest, which should contribute to the fields of physical chemistry and materials science.

Deciphering the Influence of Meridional versus Facial Isomers in Spin Crossover Complexes

Chelate coordination of non-symmetrical didentate pyrazine-benzimidazole (L1) or pyridine-benzimidazole (L2) N-donor ligands around divalent iron in acetonitrile produces stable homoleptic triple-helical spin crossover [Fe(Lk)₃ ]²⁺ complexes existing as mixtures of meridional (C₁ -symmetry) and facial (C₃ -symmetry) isomers in slow exchange on the NMR timescale. The speciation deviates from the expected statistical ratio mer/fac=3:1, a trend assigned to the thermodynamic trans-influence, combined with solvation effects. Consequently, the observed spin state Fe^II _low-spin ↔Fe^II _high-spin equilibria occurring in [Fe(Lk)₃ ]²⁺ refer to mixtures of complexes in solution, an issue usually not considered in this field, but which limits rational structure-properties correlations. Taking advantage of the selective and quantitative formation of isostructural facial isomers in non-constrained related spin crossover d-f helicates (HHH)-[LnFe(Lk)₃ ]⁵⁺ (Ln is a trivalent lanthanide, Lk=L5, L6), we propose a novel strategy for assigning pertinent thermodynamic driving forces to each spin crossover triple-helical isomer. The different enthalpic contributions to the spin state equilibrium found in mer-[Fe(Lk)₃ ]²⁺ and fac-[Fe(Lk)₃ ]²⁺ reflect the Fe-N bond strengths dictated by the trans-influence, whereas a concomitant solvent-based entropic contribution reinforces the latter effect and results in systematic shifts of the spin crossover transitions toward higher temperature in the facial isomers.

Supramolecular Gels Derived from the Salts of Variously Substituted Phenylacetic Acid and Dicyclohexylamine: Design, Synthesis, Structures, and Dye Adsorption

A well-studied supramolecular synthon, namely, secondary ammonium monocarboxylate (SAM), was exploited to generate a new series of organic salts derived from variously substituted phenylacetic acid and dicyclohexylamine as potential low-molecular-weight gelators. As much as 25 % of the SAM salts under study were gelators. The gels were characterized by rheology, and the morphology of the gel networks was studied by high-resolution electron microscopy. Single-crystal and powder XRD data were employed to study structure-property (gelation) correlations. One of the gels could adsorb a hydrophobic dye (Nile Red) more efficiently than that of a hydrophilic dye (Calcein) from dimethyl sulfoxide; this might provide useful clues towards the development of stain-removing gels.

Halogen-Bond Effects on the Thermo- and Photochromic Behaviour of Anil-Based Molecular Co-crystals

N-Salicilideneanilines are among the most studied thermo- and photochromic systems in the solid state. Although thermochromism is a general property of crystalline N-salicilideneanilines, photochromism is known in a limited number of cases. As a method for the construction of thermo- and photo-responsive molecular architectures, the co-crystallisation of 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3,6-diiodobenzene (I2F4) with three selected imines of o-vanillin, named 1, 2 and 3, obtained through a condensation reaction with 3-aminopyridine, 4-bromoaniline and 4-iodoaniline, respectively, is reported herein. All crystals and co-crystals have been characterised by means of solid-state complementary techniques (X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, absorption and emission spectroscopy). The role of halogen bonding and crystal packing in the optical and chromic properties of all solid materials is discussed. All solids exhibit thermochromic behaviour, and three of them (2, 2₂ ⋅I2F4 and 3₂ ⋅I2F4) are also photochromic. Imine derivative 3 crystallises in two different polymorphic forms (3 A and 3 B) and a solvate (3_Solv ). The bromo and iodo derivatives, 2 and 3 B, are isomorphous and form isomorphous co-crystals with I2F4, but behave differently when exposed to UV light because only crystalline 2 is photochromic. Interestingly, the replacement of bromine with iodine seems to turn off the photochromism because crystalline 3 A and 3_Solv , and even the 2_0.7 3_0.3 solid solution, do not manifest photochromic behaviour.

Resonance-Assisted Hydrogen Bonding as a Driving Force in Synthesis and a Synthon in the Design of Materials

Resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding (RAHB), a concept introduced by Gilli and co-workers in 1989, concerns a kind of intramolecular H-bonding strengthened by a conjugated π-system, usually in 6-, 8-, or 10-membered rings. This Review highlights the involvement of RAHB as a driving force in the synthesis of organic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, as a handy tool in the activation of covalent bonds, and in starting moieties for synthetic transformations. The unique roles of RAHB in molecular recognition and switches, E/Z isomeric resolution, racemization and epimerization of amino acids and chiral amino alcohols, solvatochromism, liquid-crystalline compounds, and in synthons for crystal engineering and polymer materials are also discussed. The Review can provide practical guidance for synthetic chemists that are interested in exploring and further developing RAHB-assisted synthesis and design of materials.

X-ray Crystallography in Open-Framework Materials

Open-framework materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers have been widely investigated for their gas adsorption and separation properties. However, recent studies have demonstrated that their highly crystalline structures can be used to periodically organize guest molecules and non-structural metal compounds either within their pore voids or by anchoring to their framework architecture. Accordingly, the open framework can act as a matrix for isolating and elucidating the structures of these moieties by X-ray diffraction. This concept has broad scope for development as an analytical tool where obtaining single crystals of a target molecule presents a significant challenge and it additionally offers potential for obtaining insights into chemically reactive species that can be stabilized within the pore network. However, the technique does have limitations and as yet a general experimental method has not been realized. Herein we focus on recent examples in which framework materials have been utilized as a scaffold for ordering molecules for analysis by diffraction methods and canvass areas for future exploration.

Combinatorial crystal synthesis: structural landscape of phloroglucinol:1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and phloroglucinol:phenazine

A large number of crystal forms, polymorphs and pseudopolymorphs, have been isolated in the phloroglucinol-dipyridylethylene (PGL:DPE) and phloroglucinol-phenazine (PGL:PHE) systems. An understanding of the intermolecular interactions and synthon preferences in these binary systems enables one to design a ternary molecular solid that consists of PGL, PHE, and DPE, and also others where DPE is replaced by other heterocycles. Clean isolation of these ternary cocrystals demonstrates synthon amplification during crystallization. These results point to the lesser likelihood of polymorphism in multicomponent crystals compared to single-component crystals. The appearance of several crystal forms during crystallization of a multicomponent system can be viewed as combinatorial crystal synthesis with synthon selection from a solution library. The resulting polymorphs and pseudopolymorphs that are obtained constitute a crystal structure landscape.