Nitrite-Templated Synthesis of Lanthanide-Containing [2]Rotaxanes for Anion Sensing

Halogen-Bonding Heteroditopic [2]Catenanes for Recognition of Alkali Metal/Halide Ion Pairs

The first examples of halogen bonding (XB) heteroditopic homo[2]catenanes were prepared by discrete Na⁺ template-directed assembly of oligo(ethylene glycol) units derived from XB donor-containing macrocycles and acyclic bis-azide precursors, followed by a Cu^I -mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition macrocyclisation reaction. Extensive ¹ H NMR spectroscopic studies show the [2]catenane hosts exhibit positive cooperative ion-pair recognition behaviour, wherein XB-mediated halide recognition is enhanced by alkali metal cation pre-complexation. Notably, subtle changes in the catenanes' oligo(ethylene glycol) chain length dramatically alters their ion-binding affinity, stoichiometry, complexation mode, and conformational dynamics. Solution-phase and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies provide evidence for competing host-separated and direct-contact ion-pair binding modes. We further demonstrate the [2]catenanes are capable of extracting solid alkali-metal halide salts into organic media.

Halogen-Bonding Strapped Porphyrin BODIPY Rotaxanes for Dual Optical and Electrochemical Anion Sensing

Anion receptors employing two distinct sensory mechanisms are rare. Herein, we report the first examples of halogen-bonding porphyrin BODIPY [2]rotaxanes capable of both fluorescent and redox electrochemical sensing of anions. 1 H NMR, UV/visible and electrochemical studies revealed rotaxane axle triazole group coordination to the zinc(II) metalloporphyrin-containing macrocycle component, serves to preorganise the rotaxane binding cavity and dramatically enhances anion binding affinities. Mechanically bonded, integrated-axle BODIPY and macrocycle strapped metalloporphyrin motifs enable the anion recognition event to be sensed by the significant quenching of the BODIPY fluorophore and cathodic perturbations of the metalloporphyrin P/P+. redox couple.

Lanthanide-Containing Rotaxanes, Catenanes, and Knots

The valuable luminescence, magnetic, and catalytic properties of lanthanide cations are beginning to be exploited in conjunction with structurally exotic mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) such as rotaxanes, catenanes and knots. This Minireview provides an account of this rapidly developing research area commencing with the use of lanthanides in extended MIM-containing frameworks. Then, attention turns to discrete lanthanide-containing pseudorotaxanes, followed by fully interlocked rotaxanes, catenanes and knots - where lanthanides have not only been incorporated into MIM architectures but have also been used to template formation of the interlocked structure. Particular focus is paid to examples where the lanthanide MIMs have been put to useful applications, in what is still a relatively youthful avenue of research in both lanthanide coordination chemistry and the chemistry of mechanically interlocked molecules.

Luminescent Anion Sensing by Transition-Metal Dipyridylbenzene Complexes Incorporated into Acyclic, Macrocyclic and Interlocked Hosts

A series of novel acyclic, macrocyclic and mechanically interlocked luminescent anion sensors have been prepared by incorporation of the isophthalamide motif into dipyridylbenzene to obtain cyclometallated complexes of platinum(II) and ruthenium(II). Both the acyclic and macrocyclic derivatives 7⋅Pt, 7⋅Ru⋅PF6 , 10⋅Pt and 10⋅Ru⋅PF6 are effective sensors for a range of halides and oxoanions. The near-infra red emitting ruthenium congeners exhibited an increased binding strength compared to platinum due to the cationic charge and thus additional electrostatic interactions. Intramolecular hydrogen-bonding between the dipyridylbenzene ligand and the amide carbonyls increases the preorganisation of both acyclic and macrocyclic metal derivatives resulting in no discernible macrocyclic effect. Interlocked analogues were also prepared, and preliminary luminescent chloride anion spectrometric titrations with 12⋅Ru⋅(PF6 )2 demonstrate a marked increase in halide binding affinity due to the complementary chloride binding pocket of the [2]rotaxane. 1 H NMR binding titrations indicate the interlocked dicationic receptor is capable of chloride recognition even in competitive 30 % aqueous mixtures.

Photoluminescent Lanthanide(III) Single-Molecule Magnets in Three-Dimensional Polycyanidocuprate(I)-Based Frameworks

Three-dimensional bimetallic cyanido-bridged frameworks, [Ln^III (2,2'-bipyridine N,N'-dioxide)₂ (H₂ O)][Cu^I ₂ (CN)₅ ]⋅5 H₂ O (Ln=Dy, 1; Yb, 2), are reported. They exhibit the effect of slow relaxation of magnetization, leading to a magnetic hysteresis loop, and sensitized visible-to-near-infrared photoluminescence. Both physical properties are related to the eight-coordinated lanthanide(III) complexes embedded in the unprecedented coordination skeleton composed of symmetry-breaking polycyanidocuprate linkers. The three-dimensional d-f cyanido-bridged network was shown to serve as an efficient coordination scaffold to achieve emissive lanthanide single-molecule magnets.

Iodide Recognition and Sensing in Water by a Halogen-Bonding Ruthenium(II)-Based Rotaxane

The synthesis and anion-recognition properties of the first halogen-bonding rotaxane host to sense anions in water is described. The rotaxane features a halogen-bonding axle component, which is stoppered with water-solubilizing permethylated β-cyclodextrin motifs, and a luminescent tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)-based macrocycle component. (1) H NMR anion-binding titrations in D2 O reveal the halogen-bonding rotaxane to bind iodide with high affinity and with selectively over the smaller halide anions and sulfate. The binding affinity trend was explained through molecular dynamics simulations and free-energy calculations. Photo-physical investigations demonstrate the ability of the interlocked halogen-bonding host to sense iodide in water, through enhancement of the macrocycle component's Ru(II) metal-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission.

Caterpillar track complexes in template-directed synthesis and correlated molecular motion

Small alterations to the structure of a star-shaped template totally change its mode of operation. The hexapyridyl template directs the conversion of a porphyrin dimer to the cyclic hexamer, but deleting one pyridine site changes the product to the cyclic decamer, while deleting two binding sites changes the product to the cyclic octamer. This surprising switch in selectivity is explained by the formation of 2:1 caterpillar track complexes, in which two template wheels bind inside the nanoring. Caterpillar track complexes can also be prepared by binding the hexapyridyl template inside the 8- and 10-porphyrin nanorings. NMR exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) experiments show that these complexes exhibit correlated motion, in which the conrotatory rotation of the two template wheels is coupled to rotation of the nanoring track. In the case of the 10-porphyrin system, the correlated motion can be locked by binding palladium(II) dichloride between the two templates.

Caterpillar Track Complexes in Template-Directed Synthesis and Correlated Molecular Motion

Small alterations to the structure of a star-shaped template totally change its mode of operation. The hexapyridyl template directs the conversion of a porphyrin dimer to the cyclic hexamer, but deleting one pyridine site changes the product to the cyclic decamer, while deleting two binding sites changes the product to the cyclic octamer. This surprising switch in selectivity is explained by the formation of 2:1 caterpillar track complexes, in which two template wheels bind inside the nanoring. Caterpillar track complexes can also be prepared by binding the hexapyridyl template inside the 8- and 10-porphyrin nanorings. NMR exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) experiments show that these complexes exhibit correlated motion, in which the conrotatory rotation of the two template wheels is coupled to rotation of the nanoring track. In the case of the 10-porphyrin system, the correlated motion can be locked by binding palladium(II) dichloride between the two templates.