Dynamics of proton, ion, molecule, and crystal lattice in functional molecular assemblies

Dynamic molecular processes, such as short- or long-range proton (H⁺) and ion (M⁺) motions, and molecular rotations in electrical conducting and magnetic molecular assemblies enable the fabrication of electron-H⁺ (or M⁺) coupling systems, while crystal lattice dynamics and molecular conformation changes in hydrogen-bonded molecular crystals have been utilised in external stimuli responsive reversible gas-induced gate opening and molecular adsorption/desorption behavior. These dynamics of the polar structural units are responsible for the dielectric measurements. The H⁺ dynamics are formed from ferroelectrics and H⁺ conductors, while the dynamic M⁺ motions of Li⁺ and Na⁺ involve ionic conductors and coupling to the conduction electrons. In n-type organic semiconductors, the crystal lattices are modulated by replacing M⁺ cations, with cations such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. The use of polar rotator or inversion structures such as alkyl amides, m-fluoroanilinium cations, and bowl-shaped trithiasumanene π-cores enables the formation of ferroelectric molecular assemblies. The host-guest molecular systems of ESIPT fluorescent chromic molecules showed interesting molecular sensing properties using various bases, where the dynamic transformation of the crystal lattice and the molecular conformational change were coupled to each other.

Magnetostructural relationships in [Ni(dmit)2]- radical anions

This work explores the relationship between the magnetic properties of salts based on [Ni(dmit)2]- radicals and different arrangements that these radicals can adopt in the crystals, induced by the packing constrains imposed by the counterions. Our analysis is based on difference dedicated configuration interaction calculations on models containing two neighbouring [Ni(dmit)2]- units with different interaction patterns. The amplitude and sign of these through-space interactions can be rationalized on the basis of a valence-only model that essentially analyzes the effective interactions between the atoms carrying the electronic density of singly occupied orbitals (SOMOs). Despite the simplicity of the model, it provides simple rules to predict the nature and the expected amplitude (strong/medium/weak) of the leading interactions in systems based on these [Ni(dmit)2]- radicals.

Above Room Temperature Reversible Phase Transition Induces Distinct Dielectric and Nonlinear Optical Switching Response Behavior in Crown-Ether-Based Supramolecular Clathrate

Stimuli-responsive materials with coexisting nonlinear optical (NLO) and dielectric properties are technologically important, which enable simultaneous conversion of optoelectronic properties between different states under external stimuli. By rationally screening guest cations (C6H5NF2)+ in the crown-ether inclusion system, we synthesized a crown-ether supramolecular compound [(C6H5NF2)(18-crown-6)][PF6] (1). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that 1 undergoes a reversible phase transition above room temperatures (305 K/292 K), with a thermal hysteresis of 13 K. Temperature-dependent dielectric and NLO measurements show that the compound exhibits two distinct switching response behaviors. Structural analysis indicates that the order–disorder change of the host molecule 18-crown-6 and the guest organic cation during the phase transition induces the dielectric and NLO switching behavior of the compound.

Selective Ion Exchange in Supramolecular Channels in the Crystalline State

Artificial ion channels are of increasing interest because of potential applications in biomimetics, for example, for realizing selective ion permeability through the transport and/or exchange of selected ions. However, selective ion transport and/or exchange in the crystalline state is rare, and to the best of our knowledge, such a process has not been successfully combined with changes in the physical properties of a material. Herein, by soaking single crystals of Li₂ ([18]crown-6)₃ [Ni(dmit)₂ ]₂ (H₂ O)₄ (1) in an aqueous solution containing K⁺ , we succeeded in complete ion exchange of the Li⁺ ions in 1 with K⁺ ions in the solution, while maintaining the crystalline state of the material. This ion exchange with K⁺ was selectively conducted even in mixed solutions containing K⁺ as well as Na⁺ /Li⁺ . Furthermore, remarkable changes in the physical properties of 1 resulted from the ion exchange. Our finding enables not only the realization of selective ion permeability but also the development of highly sensitive biosensors and futuristic ion exchange agents, for example.

A magnetically isolated cuprate spin-ladder system: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties

Two magnetically isolated cuprate spin ladders have been synthesized. Their crystal structures and preliminary investigation into the magnetic properties were reported.

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of (4,4'-phenylazophenyl)diammonium(crown ethers)[Ni(dmit)2]2 crystals

Sandwich-type hydrogen-bonded supramolecular dications (DAAz(2+))([18]crown-6)(2) and (DAAz(2+))(dicyclohexane[18]crown-6)(2) (DAAz(2+) = 4,4'-(phenylazophenyl)diammonium) were introduced into [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anions via a diffusion method to form novel single crystals (DAAz(2+))([18]crown-6)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](2) (1) and (DAAz(2+))(dicyclohexane[18]crown-6)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](2) (2), respectively, which were characterized based on their crystal structures and magnetic susceptibilities. The molecular assembly structures and its physical properties were expanded in the use of a three component molecular network system. The two ammonium groups (-NH(3)(+)) of the DAAz(2+) dication formed N-H(+)-O hydrogen-bonding interactions with the oxygen atoms of [18]crown-6 and dicyclohexane[18]crown-6. In the case of crystal 1, an alternating π-stacking interaction was observed for the [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anions, whereas orthogonal linear π-S interactions were detected for crystal 2. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities of crystals 1 and 2 followed the alternate Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain (J = -15.8 K) and linear Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain (J = -13.7 K) models, respectively.

Multirotations of (Anilinium)([18]Crown-6) Supramolecular Cation Structure in Magnetic Salt of [Ni(dmit)2]−

A solid-state dynamic supramolecular structure consisting of (anilinium)([18]crown-6) was arranged as the cation in a salt of [Ni(dmit)2]- (dmit = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate). With the ammonium moiety of anilinium located within the cavity of [18]crown-6, a hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structure is formed, with an orthogonal arrangement between the pi plane of anilinium and the mean O6 plane of [18]crown-6. In this supramolecular cation, both anilinium and [18]crown-6 act as dynamic units with different rotational modes in the solid state. The uniform stacks of cations form an antiparallel arrangement, thus producing a layer structure. Sufficient space for the 180 degree flip-flop motion of the phenyl ring and the rotation of [18]crown-6 was observed in the cation layer. Thermally activated 180 degree flip-flop motions, with a frequency of 6 MHz at room temperature and an activation energy of 31 kJ mol(-1), were confirmed by temperature-dependent 2H NMR spectra of ([D5]anilinium)-([18]crown-6)[Ni(dmit)2]. A double-minimum potential for the molecular rotation of anilinium, with a barrier of approximately 40 kJ mol(-1), was indicated by ab initio calculations. The wide-line 1H NMR spectra indicated a thermally activated rotation of [18]crown-6 at temperatures above 250 K. Therefore, multiple molecular motions of the 180 degree flip-flop motion of the phenyl ring and the rotation of [18]crown-6 occur simultaneously in the solid state. The temperature-dependent dielectric constants revealed that the molecular motion of [18]crown-6, other than the flip-flop motion, dominates the dielectric response in the measured temperature and frequency range.

Formation of p-Phenylenediamine−Crown Ether−[PMo12O40]4- Salts

Electron transfer from the electron donor of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to the electron acceptor of (H+)3[PMo12O40]3- forms a one-electron-reduced Keggin cluster of [PMo12O40]4-, bearing a S = 1/2 spin, while proton transfer from the proton donor of (H+)3[PMo12O40]3- to the proton acceptor of PPD yielded mono- and diprotonated cations of 4-aminoanilinium (HPPD+) and p-phenylenediammonium (H2PPD2+). By introduction of crown ether receptors during the crystallization process, supramolecular cations of (HPPD+)(crown ethers) and/or (H2PPD2+)(crown ethers) were successfully introduced into three new alpha-[PMo12O40]4- salts of (H2PPD2+)2([12]crown-4)4[PMo12O40]4- (1), (HPPD+)4([15]crown-5)4[PMo12O40]4- (2), and (HPPD+)2(H2PPD2+)([18]crown-6)4[PMo12O40]4- (3) as the countercation. The protonated states of PPD and molecular-assembly structures of the supramolecular cations depended on the size of the crown ethers. In salt 3, a novel mixed-protonated state of HPPD+ and H2PPD2+ was confirmed to be complexed in the cation structure. According to the changes in the cation structures, the anion arrangements were modulated from those of the two-dimensional layer for salt 1 to the isolated cluster for salts 2 and 3. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities of salts 1-3 were consistent with the isolated spin arrangements of [PMo12O40]4-. The electronic spectra of salts 1-3 indicated the intervalence optical transition from pentavalent Mo(V) to hexavalent Mo(VI) ions within the [PMo12O40]4- cluster. Temperature-dependent electron spin resonance spectra of salt 2 revealed the delocalization-localization transition of the S = 1/2 spin at 60 K. The spin on the [PMo12O40]4- cluster was localized on a specific Mo(V) site below 60 K, which was thermally activated with an activation energy of 0.015 eV.

Structural phase transition of magnetic [Ni(dmit)2]- salts induced by supramolecular cation structures of (M+)([12]crown-4)2

Sandwich-type supramolecular cation structures of (M(+))([12]crown-4)(2) complexes (M(+) = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), and Rb(+)) were introduced as countercations to the [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anion, which bears an S = (1)/(2) spin, to form novel magnetic crystals (dmit(2-) = 2-thione-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate). The zigzag arrangement of Li(+)([12]crown-4)(2) cations in Li(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) salt induced weak intermolecular interactions of [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) dimers, whose magnetic spins were isolated from each other. The molecular arrangements of cations and anions in M(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) salts (M(+) = Na(+), K(+), and Rb(+)) were isostructural to each other. In the case of Na(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-), the space group C2/m changed to C2/c with a lowering in temperature from 298 to 100 K. This structural change occurred at 222.5 K as a first-order phase transition. The space group C2/m (T = 298 K) in the salt K(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) also changed to C2/c (T = 100 K), which transition occurred at 270 K. Crystal structural analyses at 298 and 100 K revealed changes in both supramolecular cation conformation and [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anion arrangements. The transition from C2/m to C2/c crystals generated a dipole moment in the Na(+)([12]crown-4)(2) and K(+)([12]crown-4)(2) structures, which were reconstructed to cancel the net dipole moment of the C2/c crystals. These cation transformations led to changes in intermolecular interactions between the [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) anions via structural rearrangements. The crystal structure of C2/c was stabilized in Rb(+)([12]crown-4)(2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-) at 298 K. The [Ni(dmit)(2)](-) configuration in these salts with the C2/c space group was a one-dimensional uniform chain, which showed the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility of a one-dimensional linear Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain.

Cooperativity of dynamics of 18-crown-6 molecule forming one-dimensional chain in Cs2(18-crown-6)3[Ni(dmit)2]2

Heat capacity of Cs2(18-crown-6)3[Ni(dmit)2]2 was measured by adiabatic calorimetry. A broad thermal anomaly was observed around 225 K. The entropy gain (about 52 J K(-1) mol(-1)) is much larger than that expected for twofold disordering of 18-crown-6 assumed in the previous structure analysis. The shape of thermal anomaly was qualitatively explained by a linear Ising model developed for cooperative disordering in polymers. The 18-crown-6 molecules forming a one-dimensional chain in the crystal are orientationally disordered with moderate cooperativity.