Molecular Design and Crystal Engineering of a New Series of Inorganic Polymers Separated by Organic Spacers: Structures of [(18C6)K][Cd(SCN)3] and [(18C6)2Na2(H2O)2]1/2[Cd(SCN)3]

Controlling multiple orderings in metal thiocyanate molecular perovskites A x {Ni[Bi(SCN)6]}

We report four new A-site vacancy ordered thiocyanate double double perovskites, , A = K+, NH4 +, CH3(NH3)+ (MeNH3 +) and C(NH2)3 + (Gua+), including the first examples of thiocyanate perovskites containing organic A-site cations. We show, using a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, that the structure of these frameworks depends on the A-site cation, and that these frameworks possess complex vacancy-ordering patterns and cooperative octahedral tilts distinctly different from atomic perovskites. Density functional theory calculations uncover the energetic origin of these complex orders and allow us to propose a simple rule to predict favoured A-site cation orderings for a given tilt sequence. We use these insights, in combination with symmetry mode analyses, to show that these complex orders suggest a new route to non-centrosymmetric perovskites, and mean this family of materials could contain excellent candidates for piezo- and ferroelectric applications.

Energy Harvesting and Pd(II) Sorption Based on Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskites

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites are currently an active research topic in the field of energy and next-generation electronics. Their selectable organic and inorganic components provide infinite possibilities for designing functional materials with multiple applications. Herein, we present a new one-dimensional BaNiO₃-like organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (thiazolidinium)CdBr₃ (1), which displays a phase transition at 263 K and a switchable second harmonic generation (SHG) response. Intriguingly, 1 shows a pyroelectric coefficient p_e of ∼0.6 μC·cm^-2·K^-1 and a piezoelectric output voltage of ∼2.0 V for our fabricated piezoelectric generation device, indicating its great potential for pyroelectric sensors, self-powered low-voltage electronic devices, and energy harvesters. Moreover, the presence of a specific thioether donor enables 1 to appropriately adsorb Pd(II) ions, which can be monitored by the corresponding change in phase transition behavior, SHG signal, and pyroelectric response. This work provides a new insight to develop new multifunctional materials, demonstrating the feasibility of utilizing organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites to realize future self-powered low-voltage devices and energy harvesters.

[(18-Crown-6)K][Fe(1)Cl(1)4 ]0.5 [Fe(2)Cl(2)4 ]0.5 : A Multifunctional Molecular Switch of Dielectric, Conductivity and Magnetic Properties

Multifunctional materials that exhibit different physical properties in a single phase have potential for use in multifunctional devices. Herein, we reported an organic-inorganic hybrid compound [(18-crown-6)K][Fe(1)Cl(1)₄ ]_0.5 [Fe(2)Cl(2)₄ ]_0.5 (1) by incorporating KCl and FeCl₃ into a 18-crown-6 molecule, which acts as a host of the six O atoms providing a lone pair of electrons to anchor the guest potassium cation, and [FeCl₄ ]^- as a counterion for charge balance to construct a complex salt. This salt exhibited a one-step reversible structural transformation giving two separate high and low temperature phases at 373 K, which was confirmed by systematic characterizations including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, variable-temperature structural analyses, and dielectric, impedance, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Interestingly, the structural transformation was coupled to both hysteretic dielectric phase transition, conductivity switch and magnetic-phase transition at 373 K. This result gives an idea for designing a new type of phase-transition materials harboring technologically important magnetic, conductivity and dielectric properties.

Dielectric and nonlinear optical dual switching in an organic–inorganic hybrid relaxor [(CH3)3PCH2OH][Cd(SCN)3]

[(CH₃)₃PCH₂OH][Cd(SCN)₃] exhibits dielectric and nonlinear optical dual switching with reversible phase transition as an organic–inorganic hybrid relaxor.

Investigation of optical and electrochemical properties as well as metal ion sensitivities of different number of crown ether appended phthalocyanines

We report herein, the synthesis, and spectral and electrochemical characterization of a series of phthalocyaninato zinc complexes where two biomedically potential structures; crown ether and phthalocyanine moities were gathered on the same molecule. The effect of number of crown ether moieties on metal ion binding properties, as well as proton sensitivity were investigated by using electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. Spectral behaviors of the zinc phthalocyanine complexes fused with one crown ether; Zn [ Pc (15 C 5)( C 6 H 13)6] and four crown ether; Zn [ Pc (15 C 5)4] in presence of Na + and K + ions were investigated into detail because of host-guest interactions of subjective ions with crown ether moieties, and compared with the crown ether free phthalocyanine; Zn [ Pc ( C 6 H 13)8].

Growth and characterization of a new nonlinear optical crystal: [(18C6)Li][Cd(SCN)3]

Single crystals of a new nonlinear optical compound [(18C6)Li][Cd(SCN)(3)][(18-crown-6-ether) lithium(I) trithiocyanate cadmium(II), CLTC], with dimension of 22 mm x 8 mm x 2 mm, were grown from aqueous solutions for the first time via evaporation technique. Solubility of CLTC has been determined for various temperatures. The grown crystals were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR techniques, UV-vis, elemental analysis, EDS analyses and SHG test. Single crystal XRD study has been carried out to identify the lattice parameters and CLTC crystallizes in orthorhombic system. FT-IR studies confirm the functional groups present in the grown crystal. The mechanical properties of the grown crystals have been studied using Vickers microhardness tester. The optical second harmonic generation effect has been measured by using the Kurtz powder technique to be 2 times as large as that of KDP (KH(2)PO(4)) crystal. From the optical spectrum, CLTC has good optical transmission in the entire visible region, which is an essential requirement for a nonlinear crystal.

Homochiral 1D Zinc−Quitenine Coordination Polymer with a High Dielectric Constant

Heat treatment of a solution of MeOH and water containing the quitenine ligand HQA [HQA = 6-methoxyl-(8S,9R)-cinchonan-9-ol-3-carboxylic acid] and ZnCl2 at 70 degrees C to give the one-dimensional (1D) chain coordination polymer {(HQA)(ZnCl2)(2.5H2O)}n (1). The local coordination geometry around the zinc center in 1 displays a slightly distorted tetrahedron, with the HQA ligand adopting a zwitterionic moiety similar to that found in natural amino acids. Measurements on a powdered sample of 1 reveal a strong second-harmonic-generation response of ca. 20 times larger than that for KDP (KH2PO4). Notably, measurements on the dielectric properties of 1 showed that the 1D chain coordination polymer exhibited a dipolar chain relaxation process and a high dielectric constant (epsilon0= 37.3).

A Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Material Prepared through In Situ Hydrothermal Ligand Synthesis

The in situ hydrothermal reactions of ZnCl(2) with benzonitrile, 2-amino-5-cyanopyridine, and trans-2,3-dihydro-2-(4' '-cyanophenyl)-benzo[e]indole in the presence of NaN(3) and water afford two 3D-diamond-like networks, (CN(4)-C(6)H(5))(2)Zn (1) and (NH(2)-C(5)H(3)N-CN(4))(2)Zn (2), and one 2D square grid network, [(CN(4)-C(6)H(4)-C(12)H(7)N-C(5)H(4)N)(2)Zn].1.5H(2)O (3), in which these ligands gradually involve a noncenter-A-D (acceptor-donor) system, a one-center-A-D system, and a two-center-A-D system, respectively. All three compounds crystallize in noncentrosymmetric space groups (I2d for 1 and 2 and Fdd2 for 3) and display strong second harmonic generation (SHG) responses. Among the three new complexes, 3 shows the largest SHG effect, which is about 50 and 500 times that of urea and KDP (KH(2)PO(4)), respectively. The two-center-A-D system (multicenter push-pull electronic effect) in 3 may be responsible for it having the largest SHG effect. Interestingly, the three compounds exhibit strong fluorescent emissions at different wavelengths, 1 and 2 with blue fluorescent emissions at 390 and 415 nm and 3 with yellow-green fluorescent emissions at 495 and 532 nm.

Structure rationalization and topology prediction of two-distinct-component organic crystals: the role of volume fraction and interface topology

We consider here small-length-scale crystal structures with two clearly different molecular components (e.g., hydrophobic and hydrophilic). Using a perspective developed by studies on large-length-scale block copolymers and liquid crystals, we focus on the crystalline interface between the two components. We examine four types of two-component crystals: aromatic ammonium carboxylates, aromatic oligo(ethylene oxides), cyclohexylammonium carboxylates, and ether-thioether compounds. Of the 111 crystal structures found in the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD), 108 adopt one of the five generic topologies found in diblock copolymers: spheres, columns, perforated layers, layers, and bicontinuous structures. As in diblock copolymers, a key factor controlling the interfacial topology is shown to be the volume ratio of the two components. When the volume fraction of one component is less than 30% of the whole, more than five-sixths of the examined crystal structures are of columnar or spherical type. For volume fractions between 40 and 50% more than three-quarters are of lamellar or bicontinuous type. We use this model to predict the topologies of small-length-scale two-component crystals. We predict the crystal topolgies of six new crystal structures: three are predicted to be columnar, and the other three, lamellar or bicontinuous. The crystal structures of these systems were then determined by single-crystal X-ray methods. Five of the structures form in topologies consistent with the predictions: three in columns and two in layers. The remaining one forms as a perforated layer instead of the predicted columnar structure. Such predictive accuracy is consistent with the statistics of the CSD investigation.

Synthesis and Structure of [DB24C8)Na][Cd(SCN)3. Formation of a novel linear Cd...Cd...Cd chain with a mer-CdN3S3 coordination confirmation and new coiled [(DB24C8)Na]+ cation

We report herein a novel coordination solid, [(DB24C8)Na][Cd(SCN)3] (6) (DB24C8 denotes dibenzo-24-crown-8), which exhibits a new type of [Cd(SCN)3-]infinity chain with two unusual stereochemical characteristics: (1) a mer-CdN3S3 coordination and (2) a linear Cd chain with a Cd...Cd...Cd angle of 180 degrees. In addition, the [(DB24C8)Na]+ monocation adopts a new structural type-a coiled structure-for the combination of crown ether DB24C8 and alkali metal Na+. The title compound crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell of C2/c space group symmetry with lattice parameters a = 16.110(8) A, b = 20.380(5) A, c = 11.01(1) A, beta = 119.87(3) degrees, and Z = 4. The arrangement of the [Cd(SCN)3-](infinity) chains in the crystal lattice in the title compound is approximately hexagonal, creating triangular channels which are filled with [(DB24C8)Na]+ monocations. It was previously reasoned by us that the coiled [(DB24C8)Na]+ monocation, which lacks inversion or mirror symmetries, should enhance the tendency for the formation of the noncentrosymmetric space group of the title crystal, making it a potential second-order nonlinear optical crystal. Interestingly, however, the title compound crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group (C2/c) and gives rise to no second harmonic generation (SHG). Previously known [Cd(SCN)3-](infinity) chains adopt fac-CdN3S3 coordination and a zigzag Cd chain configuration with a Cd...Cd...Cd angle of 165 degrees. The zigzag chains can align in either parallel or antiparallel fashion, resulting in efficient or no SHG effects, respectively. The linear Cd.Cd.Cd chain configuration observed in the title compound, on the other hand, makes it indistinguishable between parallel and antiparallel alignments. It is concluded that, to ensure the formation of noncentrosymmetric space groups, it is necessary to employ optically pure chiral cations as spacers and/or controllers. Furthermore, to enhance the nonlinear optical responses, [Cd(SCN)3-]infinity chains with fac-CdN3S3 coordination and parallel alignments of the zigzag Cd chains should be used.