Structure, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Two Isomeric 2-Bromomethylpyridine Cu(II) Complexes [Cu(C6H9NBr)2(NO3)2] with Very Different Binding Motives

Two isomeric 2-bromomethylpyridine Cu(II) complexes [Cu(C₆H₉NBr)₂(NO₃)₂] with 2-bromo-5-methylpyridine (L¹) and 2-bromo-4-methylpyridine (L²) were synthesized as air-stable blue materials in good yields. The crystal structures were different with [Cu(L¹)₂(NO₃)₂] (CuL¹) crystallizing in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, while the 4-methyl derivative CuL² was solved and refined in triclinic P1¯. The orientation of the Br substituents in the molecular structure (anti (CuL¹) vs. syn (CuL²) conformations) and the geometry around Cu(II) in an overall 4 + 2 distorted coordination was very different with two secondary (axially elongated) Cu-O bonds on each side of the CuN₂O₂ basal plane in CuL¹ or both on one side in CuL². The two Br substituents in CuL² come quite close to the Cu(II) centers and to each other (Br⋯Br ~3.7 Å). Regardless of these differences, the thermal behavior (TG/DTA) of both materials is very similar with decomposition starting at around 160 °C and CuO as the final product. In contrast to this, FT-IR and Raman frequencies are markedly different for the two isomers and the UV-vis absorption spectra in solution show marked differences in the π-π* absorptions at 263 (CuL²) or 270 (CuL¹) nm and in the ligand-to-metal charge transfer bands at around 320 nm which are pronounced for CuL¹ with the higher symmetry at the Cu(II) center, but very weak for CuL². The T-dependent susceptibility measurements also show very similar results (µ_eff = 1.98 µ_B for CuL¹ and 2.00 µ_B for CuL² and very small Curie-Weiss constants of about -1. The EPR spectra of both complexes show axial symmetry, very similar averaged g values of 2.123 and 2.125, respectively, and no hyper-fine splitting.

Polymorphism and isomorphism in trans-bis(2,5-diiodopyridine)dihalocopper(ii) complexes: theoretical and crystallographic studies

Two conformational polymorphs of [Cu(25dIpy)2Cl2] have been prepared, the anti-polymorph crystallized from 2-propanol at room temperature (green) and the syn-polymorph crystallized from acetonitrile at 60 °C (brown).

Evaluation of Halogenopyridinium Cations as Halogen Bond Donors

We have performed a database survey and a structural and computational study of the potential and the limitations of halogenopyridinium cations as halogen bond donors. The database survey demonstrated that adding a positive charge on a halogenopyridine ring increases the probability that the halogen atom will participate in a halogen bond, although for chloropyridines it remains below 60%. Crystal structures of both protonated and N-methylated monohalogenated pyridinium cations revealed that the iodo- and bromopyridinium cations always form halogen-bonding contacts with the iodide anions shorter than the sum of the vdW radii, while chloropyridinium cations mostly participate in longer contacts or fail to form halogen bonds. Although a DFT study of the electrostatic potential has shown that both protonation and N-methylation of halogenopyridines leads to a considerable increase in the ESP of the halogen σ-hole, it is generally not the most positive site on the cation, allowing for alternate binding sites.

Halogen Bonding in N-Alkyl-3-halogenopyridinium Salts

We performed a structural study of N-alkylated halogenopyridinium cations to examine whether choice of the N-substituent has any considerable effect on the halogen bonding capability of the cations. For that purpose, we prepared a series of N-ethyl-3-halopyridinium iodides and compared them with their N-methyl-3-halopyridinium analogues. Structural analysis revealed that N-ethylated halogenopyridinium cations form slightly shorter C−X⋯I− halogen bonds with iodide anion. We have also attempted synthesis of ditopic symmetric bis-(3-iodopyridinium) dications. Although successful in only one case, the syntheses have afforded two novel ditopic asymmetric monocations with an iodine atom bonded to the pyridine ring and another on the aliphatic N-substituent. Here, the C−I⋯I− halogen bond lengths involving pyridine iodine atom were notably shorter than those involving an aliphatic iodine atom as a halogen bond donor. This trend in halogen bond lengths is in line with the charge distribution on the Hirshfeld surfaces of the cations—the positive charge is predominantly located in the pyridine ring making the pyridine iodine atom σ-hole more positive than the one on the alkyl chan.

Zn(II) Heteroleptic Halide Complexes with 2-Halopyridines: Features of Halogen Bonding in Solid State

Reactions between Zn(II) dihalides and 2-halogen-substituted pyridines 2-XPy result in a series of heteroleptic molecular complexes [(2-XPy)₂ZnY₂] (Y = Cl, X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3); Y = Br, X = Cl (4), Br (5), I (6), Y = I, X = Cl (7), Br (8), and I (9)). Moreover, 1-7 are isostructural (triclinic), while 8 and 9 are monoclinic. In all cases, halogen bonding plays an important role in formation of crystal packing. Moreover, 1-9 demonstrate luminescence in asolid state; for the best emitting complexes, quantum yield (QY) exceeds 21%.

Halide-bi-bridged polymers of amide substituted pyridines and -pyrazines: polymorphism, structures, thermal stability and magnetism

The structural trends, polymorphic behaviour, magnetic properties and thermal stability of a family of halide-bi-bridged polymers of CuX₂ and amide-substituted pyridines and -pyrazines are reported, and compared with related compounds in the literature.

May halogen bonding interactions compete with Cu⋯Cl semi-coordinate bonds? Structural, magnetic and theoretical studies of two polymorphs of trans-bis(5-bromo-2-chloro pyridine)dichlorocopper(ii) and trans-bis(2,5-dichloropyridine)dichlorocopper(ii)

Interaction of the negative potential area from one molecule with the positive areas I and II from two different molecules produces polymorphs 1 and 2.

Solid-state molecular organometallic chemistry. Single-crystal to single-crystal reactivity and catalysis with light hydrocarbon substrates

Solid-state molecular organometallic catalysis (SMOM-cat): synthetic routes, unique structural motifs, mobility in the solid-state and very active gas/solid isomerization catalysts.

Single-crystal to single-crystal solid/gas reactivity and catalysis starting from the precursor sigma-alkane complex [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(η²η²-NBA)][BAr^F₄] (NBA = norbornane; Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) is reported. By adding ethene, propene and 1-butene to this precursor in solid/gas reactions the resulting alkene complexes [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(alkene)_x][BAr^F₄] are formed. The ethene (x = 2) complex, [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(ethene)₂][BAr^F₄]-Oct, has been characterized in the solid-state (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and by solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Rapid, low temperature recrystallization using solution methods results in a different crystalline modification, [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(ethene)₂][BAr^F₄]-Hex, that has a hexagonal microporous structure (P6₃22). The propene complex (x = 1) [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(propene)][BAr^F₄] is characterized as having a π-bound alkene with a supporting γ-agostic Rh···H₃C interaction at low temperature by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, variable temperature solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, as well as periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A fluxional process occurs in both the solid-state and solution that is proposed to proceed via a tautomeric allyl-hydride. Gas/solid catalytic isomerization of d₃-propene, H₂C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> CHCD₃, using [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(η²η²-NBA)][BAr^F₄] scrambles the D-label into all possible positions of the propene, as shown by isotopic perturbation of equilibrium measurements for the agostic interaction. Periodic DFT calculations show a low barrier to H/D exchange (10.9 kcal mol^–1, PBE-D3 level), and GIPAW chemical shift calculations guide the assignment of the experimental data. When synthesized using solution routes a bis-propene complex, [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(propene)₂][BAr^F₄], is formed. [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(butene)][BAr^F₄] (x = 1) is characterized as having 2-butene bound as the cis-isomer and a single Rh···H₃C agostic interaction. In the solid-state two low-energy fluxional processes are proposed. The first is a simple libration of the 2-butene that exchanges the agostic interaction, and the second is a butene isomerization process that proceeds via an allyl-hydride intermediate with a low computed barrier of 14.5 kcal mol^–1. [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(η²η²-NBA)][BAr^F₄] and the polymorphs of [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(ethene)₂][BAr^F₄] are shown to be effective in solid-state molecular organometallic catalysis (SMOM-Cat) for the isomerization of 1-butene to a mixture of cis- and trans-2-butene at 298 K and 1 atm, and studies suggest that catalysis is likely dominated by surface-active species. [Rh(Cy₂PCH₂CH₂PCy₂)(η²η²-NBA)][BAr^F₄] is also shown to catalyze the transfer dehydrogenation of butane to 2-butene at 298 K using ethene as the sacrificial acceptor.

Arene Selectivity by a Flexible Coordination Polymer Host

The coordination polymers [Ag4 (O2 CCF3 )4 (phen)3 ]⋅ phen⋅arene (1⋅phen⋅arene) (phen=phenazine; arene=toluene, p-xylene or benzene) have been synthesised from the solution phase in a series of arene solvents and crystallographically characterised. By contrast, analogous syntheses from o-xylene and m-xylene as the solvent yield the solvent-free coordination polymer [Ag4 (O2 CCF3 )4 (phen)2 ] (2). Toluene, p-xylene and benzene have been successfully used in mixed-arene syntheses to template the formation of coordination polymers 1⋅phen⋅arene, which incorporate o- or m-xylene. The selectivity of 1⋅phen⋅arene for the arene guests was determined, through pairwise competition experiments, to be p-xylene>toluene≈benzene>o-xylene>m-xylene. The largest selectivity coefficient was determined as 14.2 for p-xylene:m-xylene and the smallest was 1.0 for toluene:benzene.

The Halogen Bond

The halogen bond occurs when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between an electrophilic region associated with a halogen atom in a molecular entity and a nucleophilic region in another, or the same, molecular entity. In this fairly extensive review, after a brief history of the interaction, we will provide the reader with a snapshot of where the research on the halogen bond is now, and, perhaps, where it is going. The specific advantages brought up by a design based on the use of the halogen bond will be demonstrated in quite different fields spanning from material sciences to biomolecular recognition and drug design.

Coordination polymer flexibility leads to polymorphism and enables a crystalline solid-vapour reaction: a multi-technique mechanistic study

Despite an absence of conventional porosity, the 1D coordination polymer [Ag4 (O2 C(CF2 )2 CF3 )4 (TMP)3 ] (1; TMP=tetramethylpyrazine) can absorb small alcohols from the vapour phase, which insert into AgO bonds to yield coordination polymers [Ag4 (O2 C(CF2 )2 CF3 )4 (TMP)3 (ROH)2 ] (1-ROH; R=Me, Et, iPr). The reactions are reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations. Vapour-solid equilibria have been examined by gas-phase IR spectroscopy (K=5.68(9)×10(-5) (MeOH), 9.5(3)×10(-6) (EtOH), 6.14(5)×10(-5) (iPrOH) at 295 K, 1 bar). Thermal analyses (TGA, DSC) have enabled quantitative comparison of two-step reactions 1-ROH→1→2, in which 2 is the 2D coordination polymer [Ag4 (O2 C(CF2 )2 CF3 )4 (TMP)2 ] formed by loss of TMP ligands exclusively from singly-bridging sites. Four polymorphic forms of 1 (1-A(LT) , 1-A(HT) , 1-B(LT) and 1-B(HT) ; HT=high temperature, LT=low temperature) have been identified crystallographically. In situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies of the 1-ROH→1→2 transformations indicate the role of the HT polymorphs in these reactions. The structural relationship between polymorphs, involving changes in conformation of perfluoroalkyl chains and a change in orientation of entire polymers (A versus B forms), suggests a mechanism for the observed reactions and a pathway for guest transport within the fluorous layers. Consistent with this pathway, optical microscopy and AFM studies on single crystals of 1-MeOH/1-A(HT) show that cracks parallel to the layers of interdigitated perfluoroalkyl chains develop during the MeOH release/uptake process.

Crystal structure of di-chlorido-bis-(methyl isonicotinate-κN)copper(II)

In the title compound, [CuCl2(C7H7NO2)2], the square-planar-coordinated Cu(II) ion lies on a centre of symmetry and is bonded to two monodentate methyl-isonicotinate ligands through their N atoms and by two chloride ligands. The mol-ecules pack in a herringbone pattern. Perpendicular to [100] there are weak inter-molecular C-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O contacts. Along [100] there are infinite chains of edge-sharing octa-hedra linked through the chlorido ligands.

Organometallic synthesis, reactivity and catalysis in the solid state using well-defined single-site species

Acting as a bridge between the heterogeneous and homogeneous realms, the use of discrete, well-defined, solid-state organometallic complexes for synthesis and catalysis is a remarkably undeveloped field. Here, we present a review of this topic, focusing on describing the key transformations that can be observed at a transition-metal centre, as well as the use of well-defined organometallic complexes in the solid state as catalysts. There is a particular focus upon gas-solid reactivity/catalysis and single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations.

Solvent-vapour-assisted pathways and the role of pre-organization in solid-state transformations of coordination polymers

A family of one-dimensional coordination polymers, [Ag4(O2C(CF2)2CF3)4(phenazine)2(arene) n ]·m(arene), 1 (arene = toluene or xylene), have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. Arene guest loss invokes structural transformations to yield a pair of polymorphic coordination polymers [Ag4(O2C(CF2)2CF3)4(phenazine)2], 2a and/or 2b , with one- and two-dimensional architectures, respectively. The role of pre-organization of the polymer chains of 1 in the selectivity for formation of either polymorph is explored, and the templating effect of toluene and p-xylene over o-xylene or m-xylene in the formation of arene-containing architecture 1 is also demonstrated. The formation of arene-free phase 2b , not accessible in a phase-pure form through other means, is shown to be the sole product of loss of toluene from 1-tol·tol [Ag4(O2C(CF2)2CF3)4(phenazine)2(toluene)]·2(toluene), a phase containing toluene coordinated to Ag(I) in an unusual μ:η(1),η(1) manner. Solvent-vapour-assisted conversion between the polymorphic coordination polymers and solvent-vapour influence on the conversion of coordination polymers 1 to 2a and 2b is also explored. The transformations have been examined and confirmed by X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and thermal analyses, including in situ diffraction studies of some transformations.

Two novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials from tetrachloridometallate(II) salts and 4-[(E)-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethenyl]pyridinium

Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds have been prepared by the combination of the 4-[(E)-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethenyl]pyridinium cation with perhalometallate anions to give 4-[(E)-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethenyl]pyridinium tetrachloridocobaltate(II), (C12H12N2)[CoCl4], (I), and 4-[(E)-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethenyl]pyridinium tetrachloridozincate(II), (C12H12N2)[ZnCl4], (II). The compounds have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, showing the formation of a three-dimensional network throughX—H...ClnM−(X= C, N+;n= 1, 2;M= CoII, ZnII) hydrogen-bonding interactions and π–π stacking interactions. The title compounds were also characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Crystallographic studies of gas sorption in metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous crystalline materials of modular design. One of the primary applications of these materials is in the adsorption and separation of gases, with potential benefits to the energy, transport and medical sectors. In situ crystallography of MOFs under gas atmospheres has enabled the behaviour of the frameworks under gas loading to be investigated and has established the precise location of adsorbed gas molecules in a significant number of MOFs. This article reviews progress in such crystallographic studies, which has taken place over the past decade, but has its origins in earlier studies of zeolites, clathrates etc. The review considers studies by single-crystal or powder diffraction using either X-rays or neutrons. Features of MOFs that strongly affect gas sorption behaviour are discussed in the context of in situ crystallographic studies, specifically framework flexibility, and the presence of (organic) functional groups and unsaturated (open) metal sites within pores that can form specific interactions with gas molecules.

Diffusion of vaporous guests into a seemingly non-porous organic crystal

The tetragonal apohost phase of p-tert-butyltetramethoxythiacalix[4]arene absorbs hydrochloric acid and iodine.

In Situ Gas Supply System on the Powder Diffraction Beamline I11 at Diamond Light Source

Beamline I11 at Diamond began accepting users for high resolution powder diffraction experiments in Oct 2008. We present the design, key specifications, performance and the hardware of this new beamline which receives an intense and highly collimated x-ray beam generated by an in-vacuum undulator. With the simple optics (a double-crystal monochromator, harmonic rejection mirrors and slits), a high purity beam of low energy-bandpass X-rays optimised at 15 keV is delivered at the sample. The heavy duty diffraction instrument is designed to have the flexibility to house a variety of sample environments and holds two detection systems to collect high quality diffraction data, i.e. multi-analysing crystals (MAC) for high angular resolution experiments and a fast position sensitive detector (PSD) for time-resolved studies. A recent addition to the beamline capabilities is the installation of a specifically designed gas control system. This allows the in-situ dosing of a powder sample with gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide, at low (~10 mbar) and high pressures (<100 bar). In addition a low pressure capillary sample cell is described which is now available to users of the beamline.

Fast X-ray powder diffraction on I11 at Diamond

The commissioning and performance characterization of a position-sensitive detector designed for fast X-ray powder diffraction experiments on beamline I11 at Diamond Light Source are described. The detecting elements comprise 18 detector-readout modules of MYTHEN-II silicon strip technology tiled to provide 90° coverage in 2θ. The modules are located in a rigid housing custom designed at Diamond with control of the device fully integrated into the beamline data acquisition environment. The detector is mounted on the I11 three-circle powder diffractometer to provide an intrinsic resolution of Δ2θ approximately equal to 0.004°. The results of commissioning and performance measurements using reference samples (Si and AgI) are presented, along with new results from scientific experiments selected to demonstrate the suitability of this facility for powder diffraction experiments where conventional angle scanning is too slow to capture rapid structural changes. The real-time dehydrogenation of MgH(2), a potential hydrogen storage compound, is investigated along with ultrafast high-throughput measurements to determine the crystallite quality of different samples of the metastable carbonate phase vaterite (CaCO(3)) precipitated and stabilized in the presence of amino acid molecules in a biomimetic synthesis process.