Controlling the Formation of Two Concomitant Polymorphs in Hg(II) Coordination Polymers

E- or Z-Isomers Arising from the Geometries of Ligands in the Mercury Complex of 2-(Anthracen-9-ylmethylene)-N-phenylhydrazine Carbothioamide

An anionic mercury(II) complex of 2-(anthracen-9-ylmethylene)-N-phenylhydrazine carbothioamide (HATU) and two isomers of a neutral mercury(II) complex of the anion of the same ligand (ATU) were reported. The anionic complex [Hg(HATU)2Cl2]·CH2Cl2 had a monodentate HATU ligand (a neutral form of the ligand) and chloride ligands. The two conformational isomers were of the neutral mercury(II) complex Hg(ATU)2·2DMF. The two isomers were from the E or Z geometry of the ligands across the conjugated C=N-N=C-N scaffold of the coordinated ligand. The two isomers of the complex were independently prepared and characterized. The spectroscopic properties of the isomers in solution were studied by 1H NMR as well as fluorescence spectroscopy. Facile conversion of the E-isomer to the Z-isomer in solution was observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the Z-isomer of the complex was stable compared to the E-isomer by an energy of 14.35 kJ/mol; whereas, E isomer of the ligand was more stable than Z isomer by 8.37 KJ/mol. The activation barrier for the conversion of the E-isomer to the Z-isomer of the ligand was 167.37 kJ/mol. The role of the mercury ion in the conversion of the E-form to the Z-form was discussed. The mercury complex [Hg(HATU)2Cl2]·CH2Cl2 had the E-form of the ligand. Distinct photophysical features of these mercury complexes were presented.

Water Content-Controlled Formation and Transformation of Concomitant Pseudopolymorph Coordination Polymers

Two concomitant pseudopolymorph coordination polymers {[Cd₂L₂(OAc)₄]·2DMSO} _n (1) and {[CdL(OAc)₂]·2.75H₂O} _n (2) were synthesized by self-assembly of 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene (L) and cadmium acetate in DMSO. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed that 1D ladder structural motifs exist for pseudopolymorphs 1 and 2 which contain DMSO and water guest molecules, respectively. Our study illustrated the active role of solvent water content in obtaining compound 2. We find that the presence of water as an impurity in the DMSO solvent creates the possibility of formation of concomitant pseudopolymorph coordination polymers which is a unique event. Furthermore, our analyses showed the effect of environmental humidity on the transformation of unstable compound 1. 1D ladder pseudopolymorphic compound 1 could be transformed to guest-free 1D linear compound [CdL(OAc)₂(H₂O)] _n (3') (the powder form of single crystals of 3) through a scarce case of water absorption from air. Also, the crystalline material of coordination polymer 3 was transformed to coordination polymer 2 through the dissolution-recrystallization structural transformation process in DMF or DMSO. Our study clarified that the amount of water in the reaction container can control the formation of one of the compounds 2 or 3. In the presence of a significant amount of water, compound 3 (coordinated water) will be produced, whereas if a small amount of water is present, compound 2 (uncoordinated water) is prepared as an exclusive product.

Amide-Driven Secondary Building Unit Structural Transformations between Zn(II) Coordination Polymers

The behavior of coordination polymers (CPs) against external stimuli has witnessed remarkable attention, especially when the resulting CPs present reversible molecular arrays. Accordingly, CPs with these characteristics can lead to differences in their properties owing to these structural differences, being promising for their use as potential molecular switches with diverse applications. Herein, we have synthesized four Zn(II) CPs bearing α-acetamidocinnamic acid (HACA) and 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy). The reaction between Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O, HACA, and 4,4'-bipy yields {[Zn(ACA)₂(4,4'-bipy)]·EtOH} _n (1), which was used for the formation of three CPs through dissolution-recrystallization structural transformations (DRSTs): {[Zn(ACA)₂(4,4'-bipy)]·2MeOH} _n (2), {[Zn₂(μ-ACA)₂(ACA)₂(4,4'-bipy)]·2H₂O} _n (3), and {[Zn₃(μ-ACA)₆(4,4'-bipy)]·0.75CHCl₃} _n (4). The study of the four crystal structures revealed that their secondary building units (SBUs) comprise monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric arrangements linked by 4,4'-bipy ligands. The fundamental role of the utilized solvent and/or temperature, as well as their effect on the orientation of the amide moieties driving the formation of the different SBUs is discussed. Furthermore, the reversibility and interconversion between the four CPs have been assayed. Finally, their solid-state photoluminescence has evinced that the effect of the amide moieties not only predetermine a different SBU but also lead to a different emission in 4 compared with 1-3.

A Hg(i) corrugated sheet assembled by auxiliary dioxole groups and Hg⋯π interactions

Comproportionation between Hg0 and Hg2+ resulted in the formation of [Hg2(Pip)2] supported by Hg⋯Odioxole and Hg⋯π interactions. Structural and computational assessment determined the tendency of Hg(i) to partake in Hg⋯π interactions.