Control of supramolecular chirality in co-crystals of achiral molecules via stacking interactions and hydrogen bonding

An approach is proposed to obtain non-centrosymmetric crystal structures using co crystallization of specific achiral molecules. The co-formers, donors and acceptors of electron density, are selected in such a way...

Hydrogen-bond directionality and symmetry in [C(O)NH](N)2P(O)-based structures: a comparison between X-ray crystallography data and neutron-normalized values, and evaluation of reliability

For [C(O)NH](N)₂P(O)-based structures, the magnitude of the differences in the N-H...O, H...O=P and H...O=C angles has been evaluated when the N-H bond lengths, determined by X-ray diffraction, were compared to the neutron normalized values and the maximum percentage difference was obtained, i.e. about 3% for the angle even if the N-H bond lengths have a difference of about 30% (0.7 Å for the X-ray and 1.03 Å for the neutron-normalized value). The symmetries of the crystals are discussed with respect to the symmetry of the molecules, as well as to the symmetry of hydrogen-bonded motifs, and the role of the most directional hydrogen bond in raising the probability of obtaining centrosymmetric crystal structures is investigated. The work was performed by considering nine new X-ray crystal structures and 204 analogous structures retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database.

Phosphorus–nitrogen compounds. Part 54. syntheses of chiral amino-4-fluorobenzyl-spiro(N/O)cyclotriphosphazenes: structural and stereogenic properties

Syntheses, spectral and crystallographic characterizations and stereogenic properties by ³¹P NMR spectra recorded with the addition of CSA, CD spectra and chiral HPLC of amino-4-fluorobenzylspiro(N/O)cyclotriphosphazenes were examined.

A Million Crystal Structures: The Whole Is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts

The founding in 1965 of what is now called the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has reaped dividends in numerous and diverse areas of chemical research. Each of the million or so crystal structures in the database was solved for its own particular reason, but collected together, the structures can be reused to address a multitude of new problems. In this Review, which is focused mainly on the last 10 years, we chronicle the contribution of the CSD to research into molecular geometries, molecular interactions, and molecular assemblies and demonstrate its value in the design of biologically active molecules and the solid forms in which they are delivered. Its potential in other commercially relevant areas is described, including gas storage and delivery, thin films, and (opto)electronics. The CSD also aids the solution of new crystal structures. Because no scientific instrument is without shortcomings, the limitations of CSD research are assessed. We emphasize the importance of maintaining database quality: notwithstanding the arrival of big data and machine learning, it remains perilous to ignore the principle of garbage in, garbage out. Finally, we explain why the CSD must evolve with the world around it to ensure it remains fit for purpose in the years ahead.

Dicyclohexylammonium O,O’-Diphenyl Phosphate, [(C6H11)2NH2][(C6H5O)2P(O)(O)]: Spectroscopic Study, Crystal Structure, and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis

The title salt, [(C6H11)2NH2][(C6H5O)2P(O)(O)], crystallizes in the chiral space group P212121, composed of achiral cation and anion components. The strong charge-assisted N–H…O hydrogen bonds build a linear assembly along the a axis, including a non-centrosymmetric C22(6) chain graph-set motif. The intra and intermolecular C–H…O interactions as well as the C–H…π-electron ring interactions also exist in the crystal structure. Fingerprint plots are used for a detailed investigation of intermolecular interactions participating in the crystal packing. The spectroscopic features (IR, 1H NMR, 13C{1H} NMR, 31P{1H} NMR, and mass) are studied.

Two single-enantiomer amidophosphoesters: a database study on the chirality of (O)2P(O)(N)-based structures

The crystal structures of two single-enantiomer amidophosphoesters with an (O)₂P(O)(N) skeleton, i.e. diphenyl [(R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamido]phosphate, (I), and diphenyl [(S)-(-)-α-methylbenzylamido]phosphate, (II), both C₂₀H₂₀NO₃P, are reported. In both structures, chiral one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded architectures, along [010], are mediated by N-H...OP interactions. The statistically identical assemblies include the noncentrosymmetric graph-set motif C(4) and the compounds crystallize in the chiral space group P2₁. As a result of synergistic co-operation from C-H...O interactions, a two-dimensional superstructure is built including a noncentrosymmetric R₄⁴(22) hydrogen-bonded motif. A Cambridge Structural Database survey was performed on (O)₂P(O)(N)-based structures in order to review the frequency of space groups observed in this family of compounds; the hydrogen-bond motifs in structures with chiral space groups and the types of groups inducing chirality are discussed. The ^2,3J_X-P (X = H or C) coupling constants from the NMR spectra of (I) and (II) have been studied. In each compound, the two diastereotopic C₆H₅O groups are different, which is reflected in the different chemical shifts and some coupling constants.

Probing Magnetic-Exchange Coupling in Supramolecular Squares Based on Reducible Tetrazine-Derived Ligands

Reducible 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)1,2,4,5-tetrazine was employed to isolate supramolecular air-stable [Co₄ ] and [Zn₄ ] squares, which were achieved via careful selection of counterions rather than the use of reducing agents. Magnetic susceptibility studies revealed a strong radical-Co^II exchange coupling (J_rad-Co /hc=-118 cm^-1 , -2J formalism) with a spin ground state of S_T =4, whereas the unreduced analogue revealed negligible coupling between the Co centers (J_Co-Co /hc=-0.64 cm^-1 ). Radical-radical coupling was also probed in the [Zn₄ ] congener, which led to J_rad-rad /hc=-15.9(5) cm^-1 . These results highlight the versatile air-stable coordination chemistry of tetrazine and the importance of exploiting easily reducible delocalized radical to promote strong exchange coupling between spin carriers.

Quantifying the symmetry preferences of intermolecular interactions in organic crystal structures

Many intermolecular interactions show preferences for particular crystallographic symmetries and the extent to which this is the case is quantifiable.

Tosylate salts of the anticancer drug lapatinib

Two tosylate salts of an anticancer drug lapatinib, viz. a monotosylate [systematic name: ({5-[4-({3-chloro-4-[(3-fluorophenyl)methoxy]phenyl}amino)quinazolin-6-yl]furan-2-yl}methyl)[2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]azanium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate], C29H27ClFN4O4S(+)·C7H7O3S(-), (I), and a ditosylate [systematic name: 4-({3-chloro-4-[(3-fluorophenyl)methoxy]phenyl}amino)-6-]5-({[2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]azaniumyl}methyl)furan-2-yl[quinazolin-1-ium bis(4-methylbenzenesulfonate)], C29H28ClFN4O4S(2+)·2C7H7O3S(-), (II), were obtained during crystallization attempts for polymorphism. In both structures, the lapatinib cation is in a distorted U-like conformation and the tosylate anion is clamped between the aniline N atom and methylamine N atom through N-H···O hydrogen bonds, forming an R2(2)(15) ring motif. The 4-anilinoquinazoline ring system is essentially planar in (I), while it is twisted in (II), controlled by an intramolecular C-H···N interaction. In (I), alternating cations and anions are linked by N-H···O hydrogen bonds into C2(2)(6) chains. These chains are linked by cations in a helical manner. The presence of the additional tosylate anion in (II) results in the formation of one-dimensional tapes of fused hydrogen-bonded rings through N-H···O and C-H···O interactions. These studies augment our understanding of the role of nonbonded interactions in the solid state, which is useful for correlation to the physicochemical properties of drug products.

Self-assembly of isomeric monofunctionalized thiophenes

Controlling the self-assembly of thiophene-containing molecules and polymers requires a strong fundamental understanding of the relationship between molecular features and structure-directing forces. Here, the effects of ring-substitution position on the two-dimensional self-assembly of monosubstituted thiophenes at the phenyloctane/HOPG interface are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The influence of π···π-stacking, hydrogen-bonding, and alkyl-chain interactions are explored computationally. Alteration of the amide attachment point from the 2- to the 3-position induces transformation from head-to-tail packing to head-to-head packing. This may be attributed to canceling of lateral dipoles.