3-Picoline Mediated Self-Assembly of M(II)–Malonate Complexes (M = Ni/Co/Mn/Mg/Zn/Cu) Assisted by Various Weak Forces Involving Lone Pair−π, π–π, and Anion···π–Hole Interactions

Synthesis and crystal structures of two tri- and tetra-heterometallic Ni(ii)–Mn(ii)/Ni(ii)–Co(iii) complexes from two different Ni(ii)-containing metalloligands: effective catalytic oxidase activity and Schottky device approach

The development of tri- and tetra-nuclear heterometallic Ni(ii)–Mn(ii)/Ni(ii)–Co(iii) complexes with effective catalytic oxidase activity and the Schottky device approach.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of [2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-κN 3)aniline-κN]di-chlorido-zinc(II) N,N-di-methyl-formamide monosolvate

The title compound, [ZnCl2(C13H11N3)]·C3H7NO, crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system in space group P21/n. The asymmetric unit contains one neutral complex mol-ecule, which consists of a zinc ion, a bidentate ligand, and two chlorido ligands with di-methyl-formamide monosolvate. The ligand has two moieties, a benzimidazole and an aniline group. The benzimidazole and aniline planes are not coplanar, subtending a dihedral angle of 18.24 (8)°. The Zn(II) ion shows distorted tetra-hedral geometry, being coordinated by an imidazole N atom, the aniline N atom, and two chlorido ligands. The packing features N-H⋯O, N-H⋯Cl, C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding.

An experimental and theoretical exploration of supramolecular interactions and photoresponse properties of two Ni(ii) complexes

Two new nickel(ii) complexes, C₃₂H₂N₈NiClO₉ (1) and C₃₆H₂₈N₁₂NiOF₂₄P₄ (2) are reported. The noncovalent interactions witnessed in their crystal packing have been analysed using DFT calculations.

Joining of Trinuclear Heterometallic CuII2-MII (M = Mn, Cd) Nodes by Nicotinate to Form 1D Chains: Magnetic Properties and Catalytic Activities

In the present work, four new heterometallic coordination complexes, {[(CuL)₂Mn(nic)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)(0.5H₂O)}_n (1), {[(CuL)₂Cd(nic)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)(H₂O)}_n (2), [(CuL)₂Mn(nic)₂]·2CH₃OH (3), and [(CuL)₂Cd(nic)₂]·2CH₃OH (4) (where H₂L = N,N'-bis(α-methylsalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine and nic = nicotinate ion), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In complexes 1 and 2, the nicotinate ion acts as a bifunctional linker (N,O donor) and joins the linear trinuclear nodes to form 1D polymeric chains. However, in complexes 3 and 4, the nicotinate ion uses only the oxygen atoms of the carboxylic acid (O donor) to bind to the metal centers, forming discrete linear trinuclear units, while the pyridyl nitrogen (N donor atom) remains free. The dc magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the Cu^II and Mn^II ions are antiferromagnetically coupled in both 1 and 3, with exchange coupling constants (J_Mn-Cu) of -20.57 ± 0.08 and -9.38 ± 0.08 cm^-1, respectively. Among the four complexes, 1 and 3 show catechol oxidase and phenoxazinone synthase like catalytic activities. The turnover numbers (k_cat) of complexes 1 and 3 for catecholase activity are 1121 and 720 h^-1, respectively, at an optimum pH of 8.0 and for phenoxazinone synthase activity are 429 and 398 h^-1, respectively, at an optimum pH of 9.7. The higher k_cat values of 1 for both reactions are attributable to a water molecule coordinated to the central Mn^II atom that facilitates the substrate-catalyst binding. An ESI-mass spectral analysis indicates that trinuclear heterometallic species, e.g., [(CuL)₂Mn(nic)(H₂O)]⁺ for 1 and [(CuL)₂Mn(nic)]⁺ for 3, are the active species that bind to the substrate, and on that basis, probable mechanisms through the formation of radical intermediates have been proposed.

Roles of basicity and steric crowding of anionic coligands in catechol oxidase-like activity of Cu(ii)-Mn(ii) complexes

Five new heterometallic Cu(ii)-Mn(ii) discrete trinuclear complexes, [(CuL)2Mn(CH3COO)2] (1), [(CuL)2Mn(NO3)2] (2), [(CuL)2Mn(C6H5COO)(H2O)]Cl (3), [(CuL)2Mn((p-OH)C6H5COO)(H2O)]ClO4 (4) and [(CuL)2Mn(HCOO)(H2O)]ClO4 (5), have been synthesized using a metalloligand, CuL derived from an N2O2 donor Schiff base, H2L (N,N'-bis(α-methylsalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine). Single-crystal structural analyses reveal that all five complexes have a common [(CuL)2Mn] core, where two terminal metalloligands, CuL, are connected to the central metal ion, Mn(ii), via double phenoxido bridges. Among the complexes, 1 and 2 possess linear structures where the terminal Cu(ii) atoms are bridged to the central Mn(ii) atoms by acetate and nitrate ions, respectively along with the double phenoxido bridges, whereas 3, 4 and 5 have bent structures in which the respective anionic coligands, benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate and formate ions are coordinated only to central Mn(ii) in monodentate fashion along with a water molecule that completes its hexa-coordinated geometry. Among the complexes, 1, 3, 4 and 5 show quite high bio-mimicking catecholase-like activity for the aerial oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol with turnover numbers (Kcat) of 139 h-1, 439 h-1, 348 h-1 and 730 h-1, respectively, whereas complex 2 is practically inactive towards this reaction. The presence of the coordinated water molecule to Mn(ii) in the bent complexes, 3-5, appears to be responsible for their high catalytic activity and the difference in their activity may be attributed to steric crowding due to the anionic coligand, whereas the inactivity of 2 seems to be associated with the low basicity of the nitrate ion. The temperature-dependent dc molar magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complexes 1-5 are antiferromagnetically coupled with the exchange coupling constants (J) = -8.54 cm-1, -11.50 cm-1, -19.83 cm-1, -10.65 cm-1 and -10.27 cm-1 for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as is expected from the Cu-O-Mn bridging angles.

Local Vibrational Mode Analysis of π–Hole Interactions between Aryl Donors and Small Molecule Acceptors

11 aryl–lone pair and three aryl–anion π –hole interactions are investigated, along with the argon–benzene dimer and water dimer as reference compounds, utilizing the local vibrational mode theory, originally introduced by Konkoli and Cremer, to quantify the strength of the π –hole interaction in terms of a new local vibrational mode stretching force constant between the two engaged monomers, which can be conveniently used to compare different π –hole systems. Several factors have emerged which influence strength of the π –hole interactions, including aryl substituent effects, the chemical nature of atoms composing the aryl rings/ π –hole acceptors, and secondary bonding interactions between donors/acceptors. Substituent effects indirectly affect the π –hole interaction strength, where electronegative aryl-substituents moderately increase π –hole interaction strength. N-aryl members significantly increase π –hole interaction strength, and anion acceptors bind more strongly with the π –hole compared to charge neutral acceptors (lone–pair donors). Secondary bonding interactions between the acceptor and the atoms in the aryl ring can increase π –hole interaction strength, while hydrogen bonding between the π –hole acceptor/donor can significantly increase or decrease strength of the π –hole interaction depending on the directionality of hydrogen bond donation. Work is in progress expanding this research on aryl π –hole interactions to a large number of systems, including halides, CO, and OCH3− as acceptors, in order to derive a general design protocol for new members of this interesting class of compounds.

Anion–Cation Recognition Pattern, Thermal Stability and DFT-Calculations in the Crystal Structure of H2dap[Cd(HEDTA)(H2O)] Salt (H2dap = H2(N3,N7)-2,6-Diaminopurinium Cation)

The proton transfer between equimolar amounts of [Cd(H2EDTA)(H2O)] and 2,6-diaminopurine (Hdap) yielded crystals of the out-of-sphere metal complex H2(N3,N7)dap[Cd(HEDTA)(H2O)]·H2O (1) that was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of “atoms-in-molecules” (QTAIM) methods. The crystal was mainly dominated by H-bonds, favored by the observed tautomer of the 2,6-diaminopurinium(1+) cation. Each chelate anion was H-bonded to three neighboring cations; two of them were also connected by a symmetry-related anti-parallel π,π-staking interaction. Our results are in clear contrast with that previously reported for H2(N1,N9)ade [Cu(HEDTA)(H2O)]·2H2O (EGOWIG in Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), Hade = adenine), in which H-bonds and π,π-stacking played relevant roles in the anion–cation interaction and the recognition between two pairs of ions, respectively. Factors contributing in such remarkable differences are discussed on the basis of the additional presence of the exocyclic 2-amino group in 2,6-diaminopurinium(1+) ion.

Facile synthesis of a new Cu(ii) complex with an unsymmetrical ligand and its use as an O3 donor metalloligand in the synthesis of Cu(ii)-Mn(ii) complexes: structures, magnetic properties, and catalytic oxidase activities

A new, facile Cu(ii) template method has been employed for the unsymmetrical dicondensation of 1,2-ethylenediamine with salicylaldehyde and o-vanillin. The mononuclear complex, [CuL] (1), thus obtained, has been used as an O₃ donor metalloligand for the synthesis of four new Cu(ii)-Mn(ii) complexes, [(CuL)MnCl₂] (2), [(CuL)Mn(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)]_n (3), {[(CuL)Mn(benz)(H₂O)]₂·(CuL)₂(ClO₄)₂} (4) and [(CuL)Mn(benz)Cl]₂ (5) (where benz = benzoate). Single-crystal structural analyses reveal that 2 is a dinuclear complex while complex 3 is polymeric with a repeating dinuclear [(CuL)Mn(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)] unit, linked via the nitrate ion. Both 4 and 5 are discrete tetranuclear complexes, where the dinuclear units [(CuL)Mn(benz)(H₂O)] and [(CuL)Mn(benz)Cl] are connected by double benzoate and double chloride bridges, respectively. In complex 4, two monomeric [CuL] units are cocrystallized with the tetranuclear complex. An important difference in the structure of 4 from the other three complexes is that one solvent water molecule is coordinated to each Mn(ii) ion, which makes complex 4 catalytically very active towards mimicking catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase-like oxidation reactions. The turnover numbers (k_cat) for the aerial oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol and o-aminophenol are 399 h^-1 and 230 h^-1, respectively. The evidence of the intermediate species in the mass spectra indicates possible heterometallic cooperation where the Mn(ii) center helps in substrate binding and Cu(ii) participates in the oxidation reactions with molecular oxygen. Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggest the reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) during the catalytic process. Temperature-dependent dc molar magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complexes 2-5 are antiferromagnetically coupled with the exchange coupling constants (J) of J = -13.5 cm^-1 and J = -13.5 cm^-1 for 2 and 3, respectively, J₁ = -12.6 cm^-1 and J₂ = -1.20 cm^-1 for complex 4 and J₁ = -13.24 cm^-1 and J₂ = 0.36 cm^-1 for complex 5 as is expected from the Cu-O-Mn bridging angles.

Influence of 2-Amino-4-methylpyridine and 2-Aminopyrimidine Ligands on the Malonic Acid-Cu(II) System: Insights through Supramolecular Interactions and Photoresponse Properties

Two Cu(II)-malonate complexes with 2-amino-4-methylpyridine (complex 1) and 2-aminopyrimidine (complex 2) auxiliary ligands were synthesized, and their single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures were established. Change in the auxiliary ligand exhibits substantial structural variation in the present complexes. Complex 1 shows a one-dimensional anionic copper-malonate moiety connected by the malonate bridge, whereas complex 2 is a mononuclear one. For both the complexes, auxiliary ligands are attached with the Cu-malonate moiety through various noncovalent interactions. Optical band gap, electrical conductivity, and photosensitivity of complexes 1 and 2 were measured, but the values of electrical parameters of the complexes significantly differ from each other. However, the magnitudes of electrical parameters increase several times for both the complexes when they are exposed under visible light, though the values of light sensing parameters of complex 1 were found to be higher than those of complex 2. Density functional theory calculations for complex 1 were carried out to support the experimental result.

Crystal structures of N6-modified-amino acid nucleobase analogs(iii): adenine–valeric acid, adenine–hexanoic acid and adenine–gabapentine

H-bonding networks, anion–π and π–π interactions in the crystal structures of N⁶-modified-amino acid adenine analogs are investigated by means of DFT calculations and X-ray crystallography analysis.

Supramolecular and theoretical perspectives of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine based Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes: on the importance of C–H⋯Cl and π⋯π interactions

In this manuscript we report the synthesis and X-ray characterization of two new Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes using 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine as a ligand and chloride as a coligand.

Supramolecular assemblies involving salt bridges: DFT and X-ray evidence of bipolarity

Three new aminopyridinium/4,4′-oxydibenzoate salts have been synthesized and structurally characterized. A common feature of these compounds is the formation of antiparallel π-stacked salt bridges.

New 1D diorganotin(iv) dithiolate coordination polymers: crystallographic, computational, Hirshfeld surface and thermal analyses

Three new 1D coordination polymers of diorganotin(iv) dithiolates synthesized and the nature of their weak interactions addressed using computational techniques.

Molecular and supramolecular recognition patterns in ternary copper(II) or zinc(II) complexes with selected rigid-planar chelators and a synthetic adenine-nucleoside

Four ternary metal-complexes with Cu(II) or Zn(II), 2,6-pyridine-dicarboxylate (pdc) or glycyl-glycinate (GG) and the synthetic nucleoside 9-(2-hydroxyethyl)adenine (9heade) have been synthesized and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and other physical methods. Relevant supramolecular assemblies found in the solid state structures have been further studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, the energetic features of the non-covalent interactions as well as the cooperativity effects have been calculated and characterized using the non-covalent interaction plot computational tool. Compounds trans-[Cu(pdc)(9heade)(H₂O)₂]·3H₂O (1a) and [Cu(pdc)(9heade)(H₂O)]·H₂O (1b), trans-[Zn(pdc)(9heade)(H₂O)₂] (2), share the same molecular recognition pattern consisting in the cooperation of the metal-N7(9heade) bond and an interligand (9heade)N6-H···O(pdc) interaction, regardless of the nature of the metal, the coordination environment and the water content. At a supramolecular level, these compounds exhibit pairs of complex molecules linked by H-bonds and interesting anion-π/π-π/π-anion assemblies (in 1a and 1b) or the unprecedented π-π interactions (in 2), involving the purine moieties or the exocyclic -⁶NH₂ purine groups, respectively. Compound 3, {[Cu(GG)(9heade)(H₂O)·Cu(GG)(μ₂-9heade)]·8H₂O}_n, consists in asymmetric dinuclear complex units (Cu···Cu 7.83 Å) that connect with adjacent ones by pairs of very weak Cu-O(carboxylate) bonds (Cu···Cu 3.81 Å) building a polymeric chain. The supramolecular transition from a single molecule to dinuclear units and finally a polymeric chain is also observed in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and discussed from a structural point of view as well as by DFT calculations. The unprecedented N7 and μ-N7,O(ol) metal binding patterns of 9heade differs from that recently reported (μ-N1,N7) in a Cd(II) polymer.

Supramolecular Assemblies in Pb(II) Complexes with Hydrazido-Based Ligands

Herein, we describe the synthesis and single crystal X-ray diffraction characterization of several Pb(II) complexes using Schiff base hydrazido-based ligands and different counterions (NO3−, I– and ClO4). In the three complexes reported in this work, the lead(II) metal exhibits a high coordination number (n > 8) and thus it is apparently not involved in tetrel bonding interactions. Moreover, the aromatic ligands participate in noncovalent interactions that play an important role in the formation of several supramolecular assemblies in the solid state of the three Pb(II) complexes. These assemblies have been analyzed by means of Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations.

Structures, Photoresponse Properties, and Biological Activity of Dicyano-Substituted 4-Aryl-2-pyridone Derivatives

Described in this work is the synthesis of a novel dicyano-substituted N-2-aminoethyl-4-(3-pyridinyl)-2-pyridone organic compound (1) that is characterized by several spectroscopic methods. Compound (1) was utilized for the preparation of its perchlorate (2), chloride (3), and bromide (4) salts. Single-crystal X-ray structures of these three salts were determined, and noncovalent weak interactions involving the aromatic rings, anions, and water molecules in (2-4) were investigated in detail. Solid-state UV-vis spectrum of the reported compounds (1-4) was utilized to calculate their optical band gaps, which clearly indicated that they belong to the semiconductor family. Under illumination condition, the magnitudes of electrical properties of (1) and its salts (2-4) improve remarkably although the improvement differs from salt to salt and the result was analyzed theoretically. Salt (2) was tested for its DNA binding ability.

Halogen Bonding: A Halogen-Centered Noncovalent Interaction Yet to Be Understood

In addition to the underlying basic concepts and early recognition of halogen bonding, this paper reviews the conflicting views that consistently appear in the area of noncovalent interactions and the ability of covalently bonded halogen atoms in molecules to participate in noncovalent interactions that contribute to packing in the solid-state. It may be relatively straightforward to identify Type-II halogen bonding between atoms using the conceptual framework of σ-hole theory, especially when the interaction is linear and is formed between the axial positive region (σ-hole) on the halogen in one monomer and a negative site on a second interacting monomer. A σ-hole is an electron density deficient region on the halogen atom X opposite to the R–X covalent bond, where R is the remainder part of the molecule. However, it is not trivial to do so when secondary interactions are involved as the directionality of the interaction is significantly affected. We show, by providing some specific examples, that halogen bonds do not always follow the strict Type-II topology, and the occurrence of Type-I and -III halogen-centered contacts in crystals is very difficult to predict. In many instances, Type-I halogen-centered contacts appear simultaneously with Type-II halogen bonds. We employed the Independent Gradient Model, a recently proposed electron density approach for probing strong and weak interactions in molecular domains, to show that this is a very useful tool in unraveling the chemistry of halogen-assisted noncovalent interactions, especially in the weak bonding regime. Wherever possible, we have attempted to connect some of these results with those reported previously. Though useful for studying interactions of reasonable strength, IUPAC’s proposed “less than the sum of the van der Waals radii” criterion should not always be assumed as a necessary and sufficient feature to reveal weakly bound interactions, since in many crystals the attractive interaction happens to occur between the midpoint of a bond, or the junction region, and a positive or negative site.

Recognition of the π-hole donor ability of iodopentafluorobenzene – a conventional σ-hole donor for crystal engineering involving halogen bonding

This study is the first recognition of iodopentafluorobenzene's π-hole donor ability.

The Importance of CH···X (X = O, π) Interaction of a New Mixed Ligand Cu(II) Coordination Polymer: Structure, Hirshfeld Surface and Theoretical Studies

In this study, a new equimolar (1:1:1) mixed ligand Cu(II) polymer, [Cu(IDA)(ImP)]n (1) with iminodiacetato (IDA) and imidazo[1,2-a]-pyridine (ImP) was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray crystallography reveals that compound (1) consists of polymeric zigzag chain along [010] the carboxylate carbonyl oxygen atom by two-fold symmetry screw axis. The solid-state structure is stabilized through C–H···O hydrogen bonds and C–H···π interactions that lead the molecules to generate two-dimensional supramolecular assemblies. The intricate combinations of hydrogen bonds and C–H···π interactions are fully described along with computational studies. A thorough analysis of Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots elegantly quantify the interactions involved within the structure. The binding energies associated with the noncovalent interactions observed in the crystal structure and the interplay between them were calculated using theoretical DFT calculations. Weak noncovalent interactions were analyzed and characterized using Bader’s theory of ‘‘atoms-in-molecules’’ (AIM). Finally, the solid-state supramolecular assembly was characterized by the “Noncovalent Interaction” (NCI) plot index.

Structural characterization and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a CoII complex with imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine

A new mononuclear tetra-hedral CoII complex, di-chlorido-bis-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-κN1)cobalt(II), [CoCl2(C7H6N2)2], has been synthesized using a bioactive imidazo-pyridine ligand. X-ray crystallography reveals that the solid-state structure of the title complex exhibits both C-H⋯Cl and π-π stacking inter-actions in building supra-molecular assemblies. Indeed, the mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯Cl inter-actions into a two-dimensional framework, with finite zero-dimensional dimeric units as building blocks, whereas π-π stacking plays a crucial role in building a supra-molecular layered network. An exhaustive investigation of the diverse inter-molecular inter-actions via Hirshfeld surface analysis enables contributions to the crystal packing of the title complex to be qu-anti-fied. The fingerprint plots associated with the Hirshfeld surface clearly display each significant inter-action involved in the structure, by qu-anti-fying them in an effective visual manner.

Coordination Polymers Based on Phthalic Acid and Aminopyrazine Ligands: On the Importance of N⁻H···π Interactions

Two new Co(II) and Cu(II) coordination polymers, {Co(HL₁)₂(μ-L₂)(H₂O)₂}_n (1) and {[Cu(HL₁)₂(μ-L₂)H₂O]·H₂O}_n (2) (H₂L₁ = Phthalic acid and L₂ = 2-aminopyrazine), have been synthesized by slow evaporation of solvent and characterized by IR spectroscopic, elemental, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. X-ray results indicate that in both the polymers, phthalate acts as a monodentate ligand and the aminopyrazine ligand is responsible for the formation of the infinite one-dimensional chain structure. The solid-state structures are stabilized through hydrogen bonds and N‒H···π interactions by generating two-dimensional layered structures. Finally, the non-covalent interactions have been studied energetically and using Bader’s theory of atoms in molecules by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The influence of the metal coordination on the strength of the interaction has been studied using molecular electrostatic potential surface calculations.

Screening polymorphism in a Ni(ii) metal–organic framework: experimental observations, Hirshfeld surface analyses and DFT studies

A new polymorphic form of diaquaiminodiacetatonickel(ii) is structurally characterized by a detailed analysis of Hirshfeld surface and further analysed by DFT and QTAIM calculations.

Bipolar behaviour of salt-bridges: a combined theoretical and crystallographic study

In this manuscript, we study the bipolar behaviour of salt-bridges by combining theoretical calculations with an X-ray crystallographic study of succinate and aminopyridinium salts.

Quantitative analysis of weak non-covalent interactions in (Z)-3-(4-halophenyl)-2-(pyridin-2/3/4-yl)acrylonitriles

A detailed experimental and theoretical investigation on the intermolecular interactions in (Z)-3-(4-halophenyl)-2-(pyridin-2/3/4-yl)acrylonitriles is reported and different π staking motifs observed in these structures.