A DFT Study of the Interaction between Microhydrated Anions and Naphthalendiimides

A cyanide-sensing detector in aqueous solution based on anion-π interaction-driven electron transfer

A "turn on" fluorescent and colorimetric sensor, HAT(CN)6, was developed for the light-up detection of cyanide. It was implemented through its strong anion-π interaction, inducing thermal CN- → HAT(CN)6 electron transfer, to give the dianion product [HAT(CN)6]2-, which exhibits unexpected fluorescence. The sensor shows high selectivity, rapid response and a low detection limit towards CN- in aqueous solution, hence indicating its enormous potential in practical applications.

The role of fluoride in anion–π interaction with naphthalene diimide

The role of fluoride in anion–π interaction with naphthalene diimide (NDI) is dependent on the solvent used.

A theoretical study of ternary indole-cation-anion complexes

The simultaneous interactions of an anion and a cation with a π system were investigated by MP2 and M06-2X theoretical calculations. Indole was chosen as a model π system for its relevance in biological environments. Two different orientations of the anion, interacting with the N-H and with the C-H groups of indole, were considered. The four cations (Na(+), NH4(+), C(NH2)3(+) and N(CH3)4(+)) and the four anions (Cl(-), NO3(-), HCOO(-) and BF4(-)) included in the study are of biological interest. The total interaction energy of the ternary complexes was calculated and separated into its two- and three-body components and all of them are further divided into their electrostatic, exchange, repulsion, polarization and dispersion contributions using the local molecular orbital-energy decomposition analysis (LMO-EDA) methodology. The binding energy of the indole-cation-anion complexes depends on both ions, with the cation having the strongest effect. The intense cation-anion attraction determines the geometric and energetic features in all ternary complexes. These structures, with both ions on the same side of the π system, show an anti-cooperative interaction. However, the interaction is not only determined by electrostatics, but also the polarization contribution is important. Specific interactions like the one established between the anion and the N-H group of indole or the proton transfer between an acidic cation and a basic anion play a significant role in the energetics and the structure of particular complexes. The presence of the polar solvent as modelled with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) does not seem to have a significant effect on the geometry of the ternary complexes, but drastically weakens the interaction energy. Also, the strength of the interaction is reduced at a faster rate when the anion is pushed away, compared to the results obtained in the gas phase. The combination of PCM with the addition of one water molecule indicates that the PCM method properly reproduces the main energetic and geometrical changes, even at the quantitative level, but the explicit hydration allows refining the solvent effect and detecting cases that do not follow the general trend.

Boundaries of anion/naphthalenediimide interactions: from anion-π interactions to anion-induced charge-transfer and electron-transfer phenomena

The recent emergence of anion-π interactions has added a new dimension to supramolecular chemistry of anions. Yet, after a decade since its inception, actual mechanisms of anion-π interactions remain highly debated. To elicit a complete and accurate understanding of how different anions interact with π-electron-deficient 1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimides (NDIs) under different conditions, we have extensively studied these interactions using powerful experimental techniques. Herein, we demonstrate that, depending on the electron-donating abilities (Lewis basicity) of anions and electron-accepting abilities (π-acidity) of NDIs, modes of anion-NDI interactions vary from extremely weak non-chromogenic anion-π interactions to chromogenic anion-induced charge-transfer (CT) and electron-transfer (ET) phenomena. In aprotic solvents, electron-donating abilities of anions generally follow their Lewis basicity order, whereas π-acidity of NDIs can be fine-tuned by installing different electron-rich and electron-deficient substituents. While strongly Lewis basic anions (OH(-) and F(-)) undergo thermal ET with most NDIs, generating NDI(•-) radical anions and NDI(2-) dianions in aprotic solvents, weaker Lewis bases (AcO(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), Cl(-), etc.) often require the photoexcitation of moderately π-acidic NDIs to generate the corresponding NDI(•-) radical anions via photoinduced ET (PET). Poorly Lewis basic I(-) does not participate in thermal ET or PET with most NDIs (except with strongly π-acidic core-substituted dicyano-NDI) but forms anion/NDI CT or anion-π complexes. We have looked for experimental evidence that could indicate alternative mechanisms, such as a Meisenheimer complex or CH···anion hydrogen-bond formation, but none was found to support these possibilities.