CH···π Interaction for Rhenium-Based Rectangles: An Interaction That Is Rarely Designed into a Host−Guest Pair

Calix[4]arene-Analogous Technetium Supramolecules

Calix[4]arene-analogous technetium supramolecules (1 and 2) were assembled using (NBu₄)[Tc₂(μ-Cl)₃(CO)₆] and neutral flexible bidentate nitrogen-donor ligands (L¹ and L²) consisting of four arene units covalently joined via methylene units. The neutral homoleptic technetium macrocycles adopt a partial cone/cone-shaped conformation in the solid state. These supramolecules are the first example of fac-[Tc(CO)₃]⁺ core-based metallocalix[4]arenes and second example of fac-[Tc(CO)₃]⁺ core-based metallomacrocycles. Structurally similar fac-[Re(CO)₃]⁺ core-based macrocycles (3 and 4) were also prepared using [Re(CO)₅X] (where X = Cl or Br) and L¹ or L². The products were characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray analysis.

Self-Assembled Manganese(I)-Based Selenolato-Bridged Tetranuclear Metallorectangles: Host-Guest Interaction, Anticancer, and CO-Releasing Studies

Supramolecular one-step self-assembly of dimanganese decacarbonyl, diaryl diselenide, and linear dipyridyl ligands (L = pyrazine (pz), 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy), and trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe)) has resulted in the formation of selenolato-bridged manganese(I)-based metallorectangles. The synthesis of tetranuclear Mn(I)-based metallorectangles [{(CO)₃Mn(μ-SeR)₂Mn(CO)₃}₂(μ-L)₂] (1-6) was facilitated by the oxidative addition of diaryl diselenide to dimanganese decacarbonyl with the simultaneous coordination of linear bidentate pyridyl linker in an orthogonal fashion. Formation of metallorectangles 1-6 was ascertained using IR, UV-vis, NMR spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The molecular mass of compounds 2, 4, and 6 were determined by ESI-mass spectrometry. Solid-state structural elucidation of 2, 3, and 6 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods revealed a rectangular framework wherein selenolato-bridges and pyridyl ligands define the shorter and longer edges, respectively. Also, the guest binding capability of metallorectangles 3 and 5 with different aromatic guests was studied using UV-vis absorption and emission spectrophotometric titration methods that affirmed strong host-guest binding interactions. The formation of the host-guest complex between metallorectangle 3 and pyrene has been explicitly corroborated by the single-crystal X-ray structure of 3•pyrene. Moreover, select metallorectangles 1-4 and 6 were studied to explore their anticancer activity, while CO-releasing ability of metallorectangle 2 was further appraised using equine heart myoglobin assay.

Host-guest interaction studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in alkoxy bridged binuclear rhenium (I) complexes

The interaction of two neutral alkoxy bridged binuclear rhenium(I) complexes, 1 and 2 [{Re(CO)₃(1,4-NVP)}₂(μ₂-OR)₂] (1, R = C₄H₉; 2, R = C₁₀H₂₁; 1,4-NVP = 4-(1-naphthylvinyl)pyridine] with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is investigated. UV-vis absorption, emission, ¹H NMR spectral titrations, TCSPC lifetime studies and DFT theoretical calculations were carried out to examine the binding responses of complexes 1 and 2 with various PAHs such as pyrene, naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene. The UV-Vis absorption spectra showed an increase in absorbance of the metal-to ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) and ligand centered (LC) bands upon addition of various PAH molecules to 1 and 2, whereas the emission behavior was found to show emission quenching, which might occur through energy transfer pathway. The binding constants (K) of complexes 1 and 2 for various PAHs are found to be in the order of 10⁴ M^-1 with a 1:1 binding mode, as determined from UV-vis absorption and emission spectral titration studies. ¹H NMR spectral studies show that the chemical shifts of pyrene guest and the 1,4-NVP moiety of 2 are shifted up-field, whilst the alkoxy protons do not show any appreciable change in their chemical shifts. It is believed that the open cavities present in the Re(I) complexes may lead to the recognition of PAHs via CH···π interaction.

Molecular Dynamics Study on Dynamical Features of Reorganization Process for Nanocapsule Formed with Gear-Shaped Amphiphile Molecules

We have analyzed the dynamical feature of a hexameric structure of nanocube (1₆) from a gear-shaped amphiphile molecule (1) upon addition of solvophobic spherical adamantane molecule (G), by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, to elucidate the conversion mechanism from the hexameric nanocube G@1₆ to a tetrameric G@1₄ tetrahedron. The adamantane molecule (G) in the nanocube G@1₆ is located around the triple π stacking, although G in the G@1₄ tetrahedron is at the central position of the capsule. Our MD simulation shows that the nanocube G@1₆ is more fluctuated than the G@1₄ tetrahedron. We have also found that a demethylated nanocube G@2₆ is converted to a tetrameric G@2₃ tetrahedron due to the solvophobic effect for the adamantane molecule.

Metal carbonyl cluster-based coordination polymers: diverse syntheses, versatile network structures, and special properties

This highlight surveys recent progress in groups 6–10 metal carbonyl cluster-based coordination polymers, focusing on diverse synthetic strategies, versatile structures, structural transformations, and semiconducting as well as magnetic properties.

Synthesis of ReI tricarbonyl complexes with various sulfur- and oxygen-donating ligands: crystal structures of two ReI dinuclear structures bridged by S atoms

The synthesis and characterization of two dinuclear complexes, namely fac-hexacarbonyl-1κ³C,2κ³C-(pyridine-1κN)[μ-2,2'-sulfanediyldi(ethanethiolato)-1κ²S¹,S³:2κ³S¹,S²,S³]dirhenium(I), [Re₂(C₄H₈S₃)(C₅H₅N)(CO)₆], (1), and tetraethylammonium fac-tris(μ-2-methoxybenzenethiolato-κ²S:S)bis[tricarbonylrhenium(I)], (C₈H₂₀N)[Re₂(C₇H₇OS)₃(CO)₆], (2), together with two mononuclear complexes, namely (2,2'-bithiophene-5-carboxylic acid-κ²S,S')bromidotricarbonylrhenium(I), (3), and bromidotricarbonyl(methyl benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylate-κ²O,S)rhenium(I), (4), are reported. Crystals of (1) and (2) were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of (1) revealed two Re-S-Re bridges. The thioether S atom only bonds to one of the Re^I metal centres, while the geometry of the second Re^I metal centre is completed by a pyridine ligand. The structure of (2) is characterized by three S-atom bridges and an Re...Re nonbonding distance of 3.4879 (5) Å, which is shorter than the distance found for (1) [3.7996 (6)/3.7963 (6) Å], but still clearly a nonbonding distance. Complex (1) is stabilized by six intermolecular hydrogen-bond interactions and an O...O interaction, while (2) is stabilized by two intermolecular hydrogen-bond interactions and two O...π interactions.

Supramolecular structures of rhenium(I) complexes mediated by ligand planarity via the interplay of substituents

The crystal and molecular structures of two Re^I tricarbonyl complexes, namely fac-tricarbonylchlorido[1-(4-fluorocinnamoyl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)pyrazole-κN²]rhenium(I), [ReCl(C₁₇H₁₂FN₃O)(CO)₃], (I), and fac-tricarbonylchlorido[1-(4-nitrocinnamoyl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)pyrazole-κN²]rhenium(I) acetone monosolvate, [ReCl(C₁₇H₁₂ClN₄O₃)(CO)₃]·C₃H₆O, (II), are reported. The complexes form centrosymmetric dimers that are linked into one-dimensional columns by C-H...Cl and N-O...H interactions in (I) and (II), respectively. C-H...Cl interactions in (II) generate two R₂¹(7) loops that merge into a single R₂¹(10) loop. These interactions involve the alkene, pyrazole and benzene rings, hence restricting the ligand rotation and giving rise to a planar conformation. Unlike (II), complex (I) exhibits a twisted conformation of the ligand and a pair of molecules forms a centrosymmetric dimer with an R₂²(10) loop via C-H...O interactions. The unique supramolecular structures of (I) and (II) are determined by their planarity and weak interactions. The planar conformation of (II) provides a base for appreciable π-π stacking interactions compared to (I). In addition, an N-O...π interaction stabilizes the supramolecular structure of (II). We report herein the first n→π* interactions of Re^I tricarbonyl complexes, which account for 0.33 kJ mol^-1. Intermolecular C-H...Cl and C-H...O interactions are present in both complexes, with (II) showing a greater preference for these interactions compared to (I), with cumulative contributions of 48.7 and 41.5%, respectively. The influence of inductive (fluoro) and/or resonance (nitro) effects on the π-stacking ability was further supported by LOLIPOP (localized orbital locator-integrated π over plane) analysis. The benzene ring of (II) demonstrated a higher π-stacking ability compared to that of (I), which is supported by the intrinsic planar geometry. The HOMA (harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity) index of (I) revealed more aromaticity with respect to (II), suggesting that NO₂ greatly perturbed the aromaticity. The Hirshfeld fingerprint (FP) plots revealed the preference of (II) over (I) for π-π contacts, with contributions of 6.8 and 4.4%, respectively.

Amide-Functionalized Chalcogen-Bridged Flexible Tetranuclear Rhenacycles: Synthesis, Characterization, Solvent Effect on the Structure, and Guest Binding

The synthesis of flexible rhenium(I)-based amide-functionalized chalcogen-bridged tetranuclear metallacycles of general formula [{(CO)₃Re(μ-ER)₂Re(CO)₃}₂(μ-L)₂] (1-8) was achieved by treating rhenium carbonyl with dialkyl/diaryl chalcogenide (RE-ER; E = S and Se) in the presence of ditopic flexible or semiflexible pyridyl ligand with amide functionality (L = N,N'-bis(4-pyridylcarboxamide)-1,2-ethane (bpce) and N,N'-bis(4-(4-pyridylcarboxamide)phenyl)methane (bpcpm)). Compounds 1-8 were formed by multicomponent self-assembly under one-pot reaction conditions via oxidative addition of dialkyl/diaryl chalcogenide to rhenium carbonyl with pyridyl ligands. The resultant metallacyclophanes were characterized using elemental analyses, infrared, ultraviolet-visible, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Metallacyclophanes 1-3 and 7 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The solvent-induced structural change of flexible tetranuclear metallacyclophane 2 was demonstrated by crystallizing 2 in dichloroethane and dimethylformamide. Molecular recognition capabilities of 2 and 7 were studied with few aromatic compounds containing ethereal linkages.

Self-assembly of a fac-Mn(CO)3-core containing dinuclear metallacycles using flexible ditopic linkers

Flexible dimanganese metallacycles have been achieved using Mn(CO)₅Br and adaptable ditopic pyridyl linkers. The host–guest chemistry of Mn(i)-dinuclear metallacycles has been explored.

Self-assembly of oxamidato bridged ester functionalised dirhenium metallastirrups: synthesis, characterisation and cytotoxicity studies

Hetero-topic self-assembly of Re₂(CO)₁₀ with oxamide ligands and ester-functionalised flexible ditopic-tectons afforded dinuclear metallacycles resembling a stirrup. The metallastirrups showed promising cytotoxic activity against few cancer cell lines in vitro.

One-pot synthesis of oxamidato-bridged hexarhenium trigonal prisms adorned with ester functionality

The self-assembly of hexarhenium trigonal prisms using fac-Re(CO)₃ cores (pink), bischelating oxamide ligands (green) and ester-containing tritopic linkers (blue) has been accomplished via an orthogonal bonding approach.

Interaction of oxovanadium(iv)–salphen complexes with bovine serum albumin and their cytotoxicity against cancer

An oxovanadium(iv)–salphen complex acts as a probe for bovine serum albumin and shows cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Exciplex formation and energy transfer in a self-assembled metal-organic hybrid system

Exciting assemblies: A metal-organic self-assembly of pyrenebutyric acid (PBA), 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen), and Mg(II) shows solid-state fluorescence originating from a 1:1 PBA-o-phen exciplex. This exciplex fluorescence is sensitized by another residual PBA chromophore through an excited-state energy-transfer process. The solvent polarity modulates the self-assembly and the corresponding exciplex as well as the energy transfer, resulting in tunable emission of the hybrid (see figure).

Synthesis of New Self-assembled PdII and PtII Rectangular Metallomacrocycles: A Comparative Study of their Inclusion Complexes

New palladium and platinum metallocycles have been synthesized by reacting 4,4'-bipyridinium-based ligands with PdII and PtII complexes. Strict thermodynamic self-assembly of 1 and [M(en)(NO3)2] (M=Pd, Pt) 6 a,b afforded metallocycles 7 a,b. However, the synthesis of 8 a,b and 9 a,b required a self-assembly process that used sodium p-phenylenediacetate (12) as a template. Finally, metallocycles 10 a,b were synthesized under high dilution conditions from ligand 4. The formation of inclusion complexes between metallocycles 7-10 and substrates 13 and 14 were studied by low-temperature 1H NMR, and the association constants were determined in nitromethane and water by following the characteristic charge-transfer band that these metallomacrocycles show in their UV-visible absorption spectra. A clear correlation between the affinity for a substrate and the dimensions of the metallocycle was observed. Metallocycles 8 b and 9 b exhibited the highest binding constants in water and nitromethane. This observation is in agreement with the DFT (B3LYP)-optimized geometries obtained for the different metallomacrocycles, which indicate that only macrocycles 8 and 9 possess a cavity with a width larger than 3.5 A. The insertion of hydroquinone or diol 13 into the cavity of metallocycle 11 a was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.