An Unusual Macrocyclic Hexamer of an Iso-Tellurazole N-Oxide Featuring CTe… O Chalcogen Bonds is Formed by κ6 -O Complexation to Fe(II) and Ni(II)

Studies of the supramolecular chemistry of iso-tellurazole N-oxides have been confined to non-polar media until now. To overcome that limitation, an iso-tellurazole N-oxide was derivatized with a primary alcohol group; the compound is soluble in polar solvents and stable in acidic to neutral aqueous media. Nickel (II) and iron (II) form macrocyclic complexes with six molecules of that iso-tellurazole N-oxide in a hitherto not-observed macrocyclic arrangement defined by CTe⋅⋅⋅O chalcogen bonds and κ6 -O bound to the metal ion. This behaviour is in sharp contrast with the κn -Te (n=1,2,4) complexes formed by soft metal ions.

Multicomponent Reaction of Isocyanide, Ditelluride, and Mn(III) Carboxylate: Synthesis of N-Acyl Tellurocarbamate

A multicomponent reaction of isocyanides, ditellurides and manganese(III) carboxylates under mild reaction conditions leads to the synthesis of various N-acyl tellurocarbamates. This method demonstrates good functional tolerance and broad substrate scope and, as a result, is especially suitable for the postfunctionalization of complicated molecules such as drugs. The given method can be further extended to the synthesis of selenocarbamates.

Visible and near-infrared emitting heterotrimetallic lanthanide-aluminum-sodium 12-metallacrown-4 compounds: discrete monomers and dimers

The luminescence properties of two types of heterotrimetallic aluminum-lanthanide-sodium 12-metallacrown-4 compounds are presented here, LnNa(ben)₄[12-MC_{Al(III)N(shi)}-4] (LnAl4Na) and {LnNa[12-MC_{Al(III)N(shi)}-4]}₂(iph)₄ (Ln2Al8Na2), where Ln = Gd^III, Tb^III, Er^III, and Yb^III, MC is metallacrown, ben^- is benzoate, shi^3- is salicylhydroximate, and iph^2- is isophthalate. The aluminum-lanthanide-sodium metallacrowns formed with benzoate are discrete monomers while, upon replacement of the benzoate with the dicarboxylate isophthalate, two individual metallacrowns can be joined to form a dimer. In the solid state, the terbium version of each structure type displays emission in the visible region, and the erbium and ytterbium complexes emit in the near-infrared. The luminescence lifetimes (τ_obs) and quantum yields have been collected under ligand excitation (QLLn) for both LnAl4Na monomers and Ln2Al8Na2 dimers. Several of these values tend to be shorter (luminescence lifetimes) and smaller (quantum yields) than the corresponding values recorded for the structurally similar gallium-lanthanide monomer and dimer 12-MC-4 molecules. However, the quantum yield value recorded for the visible emitting Tb2Al8Na2 dimer, 43.9%, is the highest value observed in the solid state to date for a Tb^III based metallacrown.

Unexpected ring closures leading to 2-N,N-dialkylaminoareno[1,3]tellurazoles

One step, up to 78% isolated yield, six examples. Facile access to 2-N,N-dialkylbenzo[1,3]tellurazoles.

Cyclization Reactions Involving 2-Aminoarenetellurols and Derivatives of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

The reductive cyclization of arenetellurols carrying α,β-unsaturated amide functionalities in the ortho position was investigated. Conceptually, such compounds can form 1,3-tellurazoles without the involvement of the unsaturation in the ring closure, they can form 1,4-tellurazinone derivatives, or they can undergo ring closure to 1,5-tellurazepinones. Amides derived from acrylic and methacrylic acid generated 1,5-tellurazepinones while 2-cinnamylamidobenzenetellurol cyclized to a 1,3-tellurazole derivative. In contrast, the reaction of acetylenedicarboxylic acid and its derivatives with 2-aminoarenetellurols generated 1,4-tellurazepinones, including a derivative of novel tricyclic naphtho [1, 4]tellurazinone. A comparison with analogous reactions of sulfur congeners indicates that their chemistry is a good predictor for the products obtained from 2-aminoarenetellurols. Selected compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The present work offers access to previously unexplored organotellurium heterocycles.

Iso-Tellurazolium-N-Phenoxides: A Family of Te···O Chalcogen-Bonding Supramolecular Building Blocks

Formal substitution of the oxygen atom of an iso-tellurazole N-oxide with deprotonated (ortho, meta, and para)-hydroxyphenyl groups generated molecules that readily aggregate through Te···O chalcogen bonding (ChB) interactions. The molecules undergo autoassociation in solution, as shown by variable temperature (VT) ¹H NMR experiments and paralleling the behavior of iso-tellurazole N-oxides. Judicious adjustment of crystallization conditions enabled the isolation of either polymeric or macrocyclic aggregates. Among the latter, the ortho compound assembled a calixarene-like trimer, while the para isomer built a macrocyclic tetramer akin to a molecular square. The Te···O ChB distances in these structures range from 2.13 to 2.17 Å, comparable to those in the structures of iso-tellurazole N-oxides. DFT calculations estimate that the corresponding Te···O ChB energies are between -122 and -195 kJ mol^-1 in model dimers and suggest that macrocyclic aggregation enhances these interactions.

Competing Effects of Chlorination on the Strength of Te⋅⋅⋅O Chalcogen Bonds Select the Structure of Mixed Supramolecular Macrocyclic Aggregates of Iso-Tellurazole N-Oxides

Chlorination of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2-tellurazole-2-oxide yielded the λ⁴ Te dichloro derivative. Its crystal structure demonstrates that the heterocycle retains its ability to autoassociate by chalcogen bonding (ChB) forming macrocyclic tetramers. The corresponding Te⋅⋅⋅O ChB distances are 2.062 Å, the shortest observed to date in aggregates of this type. DFT-D3 calculations indicate that while the halogenated molecule is stronger as a ChB donor it also is a weaker ChB acceptor; the overall effect is that the ChBs in the chlorinated homotetramer are not significantly stronger. However, partial halogenation or scrambling selectively yield the 2 : 2 heterotetramer with alternating λ⁴ Te and λ² Te centers, which calculations identified as the thermodynamically preferred arrangement.

Crystal structures of two dysprosium-aluminium-sodium [3.3.1] metallacryptates that form two-dimensional sheets

The two [3.3.1] metallacryptate complexes, namely, poly[[μ3-acetato-hexa-kis-(μ-N,N-di-methyl-formamide)-bis-(N,N-di-methyl-formamide)bis-[salicyl-hydroxi-mato(2-)]hepta-kis-[salicyl-hydrox-im-ato(3-)]hexa-aluminium(III)dysprosium(III)penta-sodium(I)] N,N-di-methyl-formamide tetra-solvate monohydrate], [DyAl6Na5(OAc)(Hshi)2(shi)7(DMF)8]·4DMF·H2O or {[DyAl6Na5(C7H5NO3)2(C7H4NO3)7(C2H3O2)(C3H7NO)8]·4C3H7NO·H2O} n , 1, and poly[[di-μ4-acetato-nona-kis-(μ-N,N-di-methyl-form-amide)-octa-kis-(N,N-di-methyl-formamide)tetra-kis-[sali-cyl-hydroximato(2-)]tetra-deca-kis-[salicyl-hydroximato(3-)]dodeca-aluminium(III)didysprosium(III)deca-sodium(I)] N,N-di-methyl-form-amide 6.335-solvate], [DyAl6Na5(OAc)(Hshi)2(shi)7(DMF)8.5]2·6.335DMF or {[Dy2Al12Na10(C7H5NO3)4(C7H4NO3)14(C2H3O2)2(C3H7NO)17]·6.335C3H7NO} n , 2, where shi3- is salicyl-hydroximate and DMF is N,N-di-methyl-formamide, both consist of an aluminium-based metallacryptand. In 1 and 2, the metallacryptand encapsulates a dysprosium(III) ion in the central cavity, and the resulting metallacryptates are connected to each other via sodium-DMF linkages to generate a two-dimensional sheet. The metallacryptates of 1 and 2 are the three-dimensional analogues of metallacrowns as the metallacryptates contain a metal-nitro-gen-oxygen cyclic repeat unit throughout the complexes. For 1 the building block of the two-dimensional sheet is comprised of only one type of metallacryptate, which is connected to four neighboring metallacryptates via four sodium-DMF linkages. In 2, the building block is a dimeric unit of two metallacryptates. Each dimeric metallacryptate unit is connected to four other dimeric units via six sodium-DMF linkages. The two metallacryptates of each dimeric unit can be considered enanti-omers of each other. In both 1 and 2, chirality is imparted to the metallacryptate due to the Λ and Δ propeller configurations of the four octa-hedral aluminium ions of the metallacryptand shell.

10H-Pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4]benzotellurazine, a Novel Tellurium-Containing Heterocyclic System

Condensation of 2,3-dichloropyrazine with 2-aminobenzenetellurole and 2-amino-5-methylbenzenetellurole, generated in situ by reduction of the corresponding ditellurides, resulted in the formation of novel 10H-pyrazino[2,3-b][1,4]benzotellurazine and its 7-methyl derivative. The products were purified via their well-crystallized 5,5-dibromo derivatives. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the title compound indicates that it has a pronounced V-shape and forms hydrogen-bonded dimers. Te, N-containing heterocycles have the potential of offering access to supramolecular assemblies.

Structural diversity of the complexes of monovalent metal d10 ions with macrocyclic aggregates of iso-tellurazole N-oxides

Iso-tellurazole N-oxides yield a remarkable variety of structures with coinage-metal monocations.

Macrocyclic complexes of Pt(ii) and Rh(iii) with iso-tellurazole N-oxides

Tetramers of iso-tellurazole N-oxides form stable macrocyclic complexes with Pt(ii) and Rh(iii) in solution.

Synthesis and structural characterisation of the aggregates of benzo-1,2-chalcogenazole 2-oxides

Iodine oxidation of bis[2-(hydroxyiminomethyl)phenyl] dichalcogenides yields benzo-1,2-chalcogenazole 2-oxides. Annulated derivatives of iso-tellurazole N-oxides spontaneously aggregate into cyclic tetra- and hexamers through TeO chalcogen bonding; the structures of the co-crystals with benzene and CH₂Cl₂ illustrate the ability of these macrocycles to interact with small guest molecules. The selenium congener crystallizes forming a supramolecular polymer. VT NMR indicates that both compounds aggregate in solution but only at low temperature in the selenium case. The different abilities of these molecules to engage in supramolecular interactions are interpreted on the basis of their electronic properties evaluated with DFT-D3 calculations.

From Noncovalent Chalcogen-Chalcogen Interactions to Supramolecular Aggregates: Experiments and Calculations

This review considers noncovalent bonds between divalent chalcogen centers. In the first part we present X-ray data taken from the solid state structures of dimethyl- and diphenyl-dichalcogenides as well as oligoalkynes kept by alkyl-sulfur, -selenium, and -tellurium groups. Furthermore, we analyzed the solid state structures of medium sized (12-24 ring size) selenium coronands and medium to large rings with alkyne and alkene units between two chalcogen centers. The crystal structures of the cyclic structures revealed columnar stacks with close contacts between neighboring rings via noncovalent interactions between the chalcogen centers. To get larger space within the cavities, rings with diyne units between the chalcogen centers were used. These molecules showed channel-like structures in the solid state. The flexibility of the rings permits inclusion of guest molecules such as five-membered heterocycles and aromatic six-membered rings. In the second part we discuss the results of quantum chemical calculations. To treat properly the noncovalent bonding between chalcogens, we use diffuse augmented split valence basis sets in combination with electron correlation methods. Our model substances were 16 dimers consisting of two Me-X-Me (X = O, S, Se, Te) pairs and dimers of Me-X-Me/Me-X-CN (X = O, S, Se, Te) pairs. The calculations show the anticipated increase of the interaction energy from (Me-O-Me)₂ (-2.15 kcal/mol) to (Me-O-Me/Me-Te-CN) (-6.59 kcal/mol). An analysis by the NBO method reveals that in the case of the chalcogen centers O and S the hydrogen bridges between the molecules dominate. However, in the case of Se and Te the major bonding between the pairs originates from dispersion forces between the chalcogen centers. It varies between -1.7 and -4.0 kcal/mol.

Influence of acidic media on the supramolecular aggregation of iso-tellurazole N-oxides

Iso-tellurazole N-oxides are promising supramolecular building blocks. While in neutral solutions, they form tetra- and hexameric macrocyclic aggregates linked by Te···O secondary bonding (σ hole interactions or chalcogen bonds), protonation of the oxygen atom in acidic media disrupts such supramolecular association. The process is reversible and, consequently, can be used to switch on and off the self-assembly process. Hammett acidity measurements gave pKa values of –3.2 for the protonated molecules. Adducts with HCl and HBr were isolated and structurally characterized. Protonation in solution led to the crystallization of a new polymorph of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2-tellurazole N-oxide, which features a unique polymeric arrangement.

Supramolecular macrocycles reversibly assembled by Te(…)O chalcogen bonding

Organic molecules with heavy main-group elements frequently form supramolecular links to electron-rich centres. One particular case of such interactions is halogen bonding. Most studies of this phenomenon have been concerned with either dimers or infinitely extended structures (polymers and lattices) but well-defined cyclic structures remain elusive. Here we present oligomeric aggregates of heterocycles that are linked by chalcogen-centered interactions and behave as genuine macrocyclic species. The molecules of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2-tellurazole 2-oxide assemble a variety of supramolecular aggregates that includes cyclic tetramers and hexamers, as well as a helical polymer. In all these aggregates, the building blocks are connected by Te(…)O-N bridges. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic experiments demonstrate that the two types of annular aggregates are persistent in solution. These self-assembled structures form coordination complexes with transition-metal ions, act as fullerene receptors and host small molecules in a crystal.

Tellurium: a maverick among the chalcogens

This tutorial review elucidates the fundamental concepts necessary for an understanding of the unique structures and reactivities of tellurium compounds.