Solid-State Molecular Rotators of Anilinium and Adamantylammonium in [Ni(dmit)2]− Salts with Diverse Magnetic Properties

Tetranitro- and tetraamino-dibenzo[18]crown-6-ether derivatives: complexes for alkali metal ions, redox potentials, crystal structures, molecular sorption, and proton conducting behaviours

Redox potentials, molecular sorption, crystal structures, dielectric properties, and proton conducting properties of tetranitro- and tetraamino-dibenzo[18]crown-6 were discussed.

Dual-channel control of ferroelastic domains in a host–guest inclusion compound

By replacing [PF6]− with the larger [TFSA]−, the phase transition temperature is increased from 305 K to 342 K in a host–guest inclusion ferroelastic crystal, [(3,4-DFA)(18-crown-6)][TFSA], which can realize dual-channel (thermal and stress) control of ferroelastic domains.

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.

Record Enhancement of Curie Temperature in Host-Guest Inclusion Ferroelectrics

Solid-state molecular rotor-type materials such as host-guest inclusion compounds are very desirable for the construction of molecular ferroelectrics. However, they usually have a low Curie temperature (T_c) and uniaxial nature, severely hindering their practical applications. Herein, by regulating the anion to control "momentum matching" in the crystal structure, we successfully designed a high-temperature multiaxial host-guest inclusion ferroelectric [(MeO-C₆H₄-NH₃)(18-crown-6)][TFSA] (MeO-C₆H₄-NH₃ = 4-methoxyanilinium, TFSA = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)ammonium) with the Aizu notation of mmmFm. Compared to the parent uniaxial ferroelectric [(MeO-C₆H₄-NH₃)(18-crown-6)][BF₄] with a T_c of 127 K, the introduction of larger TFSA anions brings a lower crystal symmetry at room temperature and a higher energy barrier of molecular motions in phase transition, giving [(MeO-C₆H₄-NH₃)(18-crown-6)][TFSA] multiaxial ferroelectricity and a high T_c up to 415 K (above that of BaTiO₃). To our knowledge, such a record temperature enhancement of 288 K makes its T_c the highest among the reported crown-ether-based ferroelectrics, giving a wide working temperature range for applications in data storage, temperature sensing, actuation, and so on. This work will provide guidance and inspiration for designing high-T_c host-guest inclusion ferroelectrics.

Molecular motion of halogenated ethylammonium/[18]crown-6 supramolecular ions in nickel dithiolate magnetic crystals

Supramolecular cations, consisting of ethylammonium derivatives (X–CH₂CH₂–NH₃⁺) complexed with [18]crown-6, were incorporated into [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ crystals in order to promote molecular motion.

Enhancing switchable dielectric property for crystalline supramolecular rotor compounds by adding polar components

Two new compounds were obtained by assembling the [(2-methoxy-5-nitro-anilinium)(18-crown-6)]+ cation with non-polar PF6- and polar SO3CF3- anions, respectively. Benefiting from its polar anion, the SO3CF3- compound reveals a more significant dielectric switching behaviour during phase transition, demonstrating an effective strategy to enhance the dielectric property by adding polar components.

MnIII-FeIII Heterometallic Compounds within Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Networks Promoted by an [Fe(CN)5(CNH)]2- Building Block: Structural and Magnetic Properties

The reaction of [Fe(CN)₆]^3- and [Mn(acacen)]⁺ (H₂acacen = N, N'-bis(acetylacetone)ethylenediamine) building units in the presence of supramolecular cations, [(F-Anil)(18-crown-6)]⁺ (F-Anil⁺ = 3-fluoroanilinium) or [(Me-F-Anil)(18-crown-6)]⁺ (Me-F-Anil⁺ = 3-fluoro-4-methylanilinium), affords two new bimetallic compounds, [(F-Anil)(18-crown-6)][Mn(acacen)Fe(CN)₅(CNH)]·MeOH (1) and [(Me-F-Anil)(18-crown-6)][Mn(acacen)(MeOH)Fe(CN)₅(CNH)]·MeOH (2), respectively. Compound 1 exhibits a one-dimensional topology, while compound 2 is a dinuclear discrete system due to the coordination of a MeOH molecule at the axial position of the [Mn(acacen)]^- unit. For both systems, the acidity of the corresponding supramolecular cation triggers the protonation of the Fe^III moiety as [Fe(CN)₅(CNH)]^2-. Moreover, the resulting -CNH ligand induces hydrogen bonding interactions connecting the chains for 1 or the molecules for 2 into higher dimensional supramolecular networks. Magnetic properties of compounds incorporating these [Fe(CN)₅(CNH)]^2- building blocks were, for the first time, thoroughly investigated, indicating a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order of single-chain magnets for 1 and an antiferromagnetically interacting S = 3/2 spin ground state for 2.

Supramolecular self-assembly for designing non-centrosymmetric crystals based on Keggin polyoxometallates and crown ether

POM based non-centrosymmetric inorganic–organic hybrids are designed by gradually introducing asymmetry into the building units.

The First Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Luminescent Multiferroic: (Pyrrolidinium)MnBr3

A hybrid organic-inorganic compound, (pyrrolidinium)MnBr3 , distinguished from rare earth (RE)-doped inorganic perovskites, is discovered as a new member of the ferroelectrics family, having excellent luminescent properties and relatively large spontaneous polarization of 6 μC cm(-2) , as well as a weak ferromagnetism at about 2.4 K. With a quantum yield of >28% and emission lifetime >0.1 ms, such multiferroic photoluminescence is a suitable candidate for future applications in luminescence materials, photovoltaics, and magneto-optoelectronic devices.

Observation of a magnetic phase transition but absence of an electrical response in a new two-dimensional mixed-valence nickel-bis-dithiolene molecular crystal

A two-dimensional mixed-valence molecular crystal of [Ni(dmit)₂]₃⁻ shows a magnetic phase transition at ca. 77 K but absence of an electrical response in the same temperature interval.

Crystal structures, CO₂ adsorption, and dielectric properties of [Cu(II)₂(R-benzoate)₄(pyrazine)]∞ polymers (R = m-F, 2,3-F₂, m-Cl, and m-CH₃)

m-Fluorobenzoate (m-FBA), 2,3-difluorobenzoate (2,3-F2BA), m-methylbenzoate (m-MBA), and m-chlorobenzoate (m-ClBA) were introduced into the Cu(II) binuclear unit as bridging ligands between two Cu(II) sites, which were further connected by an axial pyrazine (pz) ligand to form one-dimensional coordination polymers of [Cu(II)2(m-FBA)4(pz)]∞ (1), [Cu(II)2(2,3-F2BA)4(pz)]∞ (2), [Cu(II)2(m-MBA)4(pz)]∞ (3), and [Cu(II)2(m-ClBA)4(pz)]∞ (4), respectively. The parallel arrangements of one-dimensional (1D) polymers result in 1D channels between the polymers that crystallization CH3CN molecules can occupy to form single crystals of 1·4CH3CN, 2·4CH3CN, 3·2CH3CN, and 4·2CH3CN. Both π-dimer and dipole-dipole interactions were simultaneously observed in the interchain interactions of m-FBA and/or 2,3-F2BA ligands in crystals 1 and 2. The sizes of the one-dimensional channels between the polymers are thus modulated according to the interchain interactions between the polar BA ligands. CH3CN molecules within the channels were easily replaced by H2O under ambient conditions. CO2 adsorption-desorption isotherms of crystals 1, 2, and 3 at 195 K indicated gate-adsorption with a hysteresis, whereas two-step gate-adsorption behavior was observed for CO2 in crystal 4. Temperature- and frequency-dependent dielectric responses were not observed in crystals 1-4 under vacuum conditions, whereas dielectric anomalies were observed around 290 K for crystals 1 and 2 with adsorbed CO2. CO2 desorption from the channels in crystals 1 and 2 activated the molecular motions of polar BA ligands and dielectric responses around 290 K, which were confirmed from CO2 adsorption-desorption isotherms around 290 K and differential scanning calorimetries under CO2 conditions.

Charge-transfer solids using nucleobases: supramolecular architectures composed of cytosine and [Ni(dmit)2] assembled by multiple hydrogen bonds and heteroatomic contacts

Protonated species of the nucleobase cytosine (C), namely the monoprotonated CH(+) and the hemiprotonated CHC(+), were used to obtain four charge-transfer complexes of [Ni(dmit)2] (dmit: 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate). Diffusion methods afforded two semiconducting [Ni(dmit)2](-) salts; (CH)[Ni(dmit)2](CH3CN) (1) and (CHC)[Ni(dmit)2] (2). In salt 1, the [Ni(dmit)2](-) ions with a S = 1/2 spin construct a uniform one-dimensional array along the molecular long axis, and the significant intermolecular interaction along the face-to-face direction results in a spin-singlet ground state. In contrast, salt 2 exhibits the Mott insulating behavior associated with uniform 1D arrays of [Ni(dmit)2](-), which assemble a two-dimensional layer that is sandwiched between the layers of hydrogen-bonded CHC(+) ribbons. Multiple hydrogen bonds between CHC(+) and [Ni(dmit)2](-) seem to result in the absence of structural phase transition down to 0.5 K. Electrooxidation of [Ni(dmit)2](-) afforded the polymorphs of the [Ni(dmit)2](0.5-) salts, (CHC(+))[{Ni(dmit)2}(0.5-)]2 (3 and 4), which are the first mixed-valence salts of nucleobase cations with metal complex anions. Similar to 2, salt 3 contains CHC(+) ribbons that are sandwiched between the 2D [Ni(dmit)2](0.5-) layers. In the layer, the [Ni(dmit)2](0.5-) ions form dimers with a S = 1/2 spin and the narrow electronic bandwidth causes a semiconducting behavior. In salt 4, the CHC(+) units form an unprecedented corrugated 2D sheet, which is sandwiched between the 2D [Ni(dmit)2](0.5-) layers that involve ring-over-atom and spanning overlaps. In contrast to 3, salt 4 exhibits metallic behavior down to 1.8 K, associated with a wide bandwidth and a 2D Fermi surface. The ability of hydrogen-bonded CHC(+) sheets as a template for the anion radical arrangements is demonstrated.

Thermally-induced phase transition of pseudorotaxane crystals: changes in conformation and interaction of the molecules and optical properties of the crystals

This paper presents a pseudorotaxane that acts as a thermally driven molecular switch in the single-crystal state. Crystals of the cationic pseudorotaxane consisting of dibenzo[24]crown-8 (DB24C8) and N-(xylylammonium)-methylferrocene as the cyclic and axle component molecules, respectively, undergo crystalline-phase transition at 128 °C with heating and 116 °C with cooling, according to differential-scanning-calorimetry measurements. X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed that the phase transition was accompanied by rotation of the 4-methylphenyl group of the axle component molecule and a simultaneous shift in the position of the PF(6)(-) counteranion. Crystalline phase transition changes the conformation and position of the DB24C8 molecule relative to the ammonium cation partially; the interaction between the cyclic component and the PF(6)(-) anion in the crystal changes to a greater extent. Moreover, there are changes in the vibration angle (θ) and birefringence (Δn) on the (001) face of the crystal transitionally; θ is rotated by +12°, and Δn is decreased from 0.070 to 0.059 upon heating across the phase transition temperature. The phase transition and accompanying change in the optical properties of the crystal occur reversibly and repeatedly upon heating and cooling processes. The switching rotation of the aromatic plane of the molecule induces a change in the optical anisotropy of the crystal, which is regarded as a demonstration of a new type of optical crystal. Partial replacement of the PF(6)(-) anion with the bulkier AsF(6)(-) anion forms crystals with similar crystallographic parameters. An increase in the AsF(6)(-) content decreases the reversible-phase-transition temperature gradually down to 99 °C (T(end)) and 68 °C (T(exo)) ([AsF(6)(-)]:[PF(6)(-)] = 0.4:0.6).

Dynamics of molecular rotors confined in two dimensions: transition from a 2D rotational glass to a 2D rotational fluid in a periodic mesoporous organosilica

The motional behavior of p-phenylene-d(4) rotators confined within the 2D layers of a hierarchically ordered periodic mesoporous p-divinylbenzenesilica has been elucidated to evaluate the effects of reduced dimensionality on the engineered dynamics of artificial molecular machines. The hybrid mesoporous material, characterized by a honeycomb lattice structure, has arrays of alternating p-divinylbenzene rotors and siloxane layers forming the molecularly ordered walls of the mesoscopic channels. The p-divinylbenzene rotors are strongly anchored between two adjacent siloxane sheets, so that the p-phenylene rotators are unable to experience translational diffusion and are allowed to rotate about only one fixed axis. Variable-temperature (2)H NMR experiments revealed that the p-phenylene rotators undergo an exchange process between sites related by 180° and a non-Arrhenius temperature dependence of the dynamics, with reorientational rates ranging from 10(3) to 10(8) Hz between 215 to 305 K. The regime of motion changes rapidly at about 280 K indicating the occurrence of a dynamical transition. The transition was also recognized by a steep change in the heat capacity at constant pressure. As a result of the robust lamellar architecture comprising the pore walls, the orientational dynamic disorder related to the phase transition is only realized in two dimensions within the layers, that is in the plane perpendicular to the channel axis. Thus, the aligned rotors that form the organic layers exhibit unique anisotropic dynamical properties as a result of the architecture's reduced dimensionality. The dynamical disorder restricted to two dimensions constitutes a highly mobile fluidlike rotational phase at room temperature, which upon cooling undergoes a transition to a more rigid glasslike phase. Activation energies of 5.9 and 9.5 kcal/mol respectively have been measured for the two dynamical regimes of rotation. Collectively, our investigation has led to the discovery of an orientationally disordered 2D rotational glass and its transition from rigid to soft at increasing temperature. The spectral narrowing observed in the (2)H NMR experiments at higher temperatures (310-420 K) is consistent with fast rotational dynamics, which remain anisotropic in nature within the robust lamellar architecture. This study suggests that exploiting reduced dimensionality in the design of solid-state artificial molecular machines and functional materials may yield access to behavior previously unrealized in 3D materials.

Crystalline molecular machines: function, phase order, dimensionality, and composition

The design of molecular machines is stimulated by the possibility of developing new materials with complex physicochemical and mechanical properties that are responsive to external stimuli. Condensed-phase matter with anisotropic molecular order and controlled dynamics, also defined as amphidynamic crystals, offers a promising platform for the design of bulk materials capable of performing such functions. Recent studies have shown that it is possible to engineer molecular crystals and extended solids with Brownian rotation about specific axes that can be interfaced with external fields, which may ultimately be used to design novel optoelectronic materials. Structure/function relationships of amphidynamic materials have been characterized, establishing the blueprints to further engineer sophisticated function. However, the synthesis of amphidynamic molecular machines composed of multiple "parts" is essential to realize increasingly complex behavior. Recent progress in amphidynamic multicomponent systems suggests that sophisticated functions similar to those of simple biomolecular machines may eventually be within reach.

Supramolecular cations of the m-fluoroanilinium(dibenzo[18]crown-6) in ferromagnetic salt

A supramolecular cation of (m-FAni(+))(DB[18]crown-6), where m-FAni(+) and DB[18]crown-6 denote m-fluoroanilinium(+) and dibenzo[18]crown-6, respectively, which is the polar unit rotating in the ferroelectric crystal of (m-FAni(+))(DB[18]crown-6)[Ni(dmit)(2)](-), was introduced into a ferromagnetic [MnCr(oxalate)(3)](-) salt as the counter cation. The crystal structure of (m-FAni(+))(DB[18]crown-6)[MnCr(oxalate)(3)](-)(CH(3)OH)(CH(3)CN) (1) is constructed from alternating layers of a two-dimensional honeycomb layer of [MnCr(oxalate)(3)](-) and (m-FAni(+))(DB[18]crown-6) supramolecular cations. The anionic layer is composed of Mn(II) and Cr(III) ions with S = 5/2 and S = 3/2 spins, respectively, bridged by the oxalate anions, which show ferromagnetic ordering at 5.5 K. The supramolecular structure is formed through the formation of hydrogen bonds between the ammonium hydrogen atoms of the m-FAni(+) cations and the oxygen atoms of the DB[18]crown-6 cavity. No orientational disorder of the fluorine atoms was observed in our X-ray structural analysis, suggesting that a two-fold flip-flop motion of the m-FAni(+) cations does not occur in the salt. The rotational freedom of the m-FAni(+) cations in the salt is restricted by the steric hindrance from neighbouring DB[18]crown-6 molecules. A design strategy for the rotation in a salt is discussed, based on the volume that the supramolecular cations occupy in the unit cell.