A New Zn(II) Metal Hybrid Material of 5-Nitrobenzimidazolium Organic Cation (C7H6N3O2)2[ZnCl4]: Elaboration, Structure, Hirshfeld Surface, Spectroscopic, Molecular Docking Analysis, Electric and Dielectric Properties

The slow solvent evaporation approach was used to create a single crystal of (C₇H₆N₃O₂)₂[ZnCl₄] at room temperature. Our compound has been investigated by single-crystal XRD which declares that the complex crystallizes in the monoclinic crystallographic system with the P2₁/c as a space group. The molecular arrangement of the compound can be described by slightly distorted tetrahedral ZnCl₄^2- anionic entities and 5-nitrobenzimidazolium as cations, linked together by different non-covalent interaction types (H-bonds, Cl…Cl, π…π and C-H…π). Hirshfeld's surface study allows us to identify that the dominant contacts in the crystal building are H…Cl/Cl…H contacts (37.3%). FT-IR method was used to identify the different groups in (C₇H₆N₃O₂)₂[ZnCl₄]. Furthermore, impedance spectroscopy analysis in 393 ≤ T ≤ 438 K shows that the temperature dependence of DC conductivity follows Arrhenius' law. The frequency-temperature dependence of AC conductivity for the studied sample shows one region (E_a = 2.75 eV). In order to determine modes of interactions of compound with double stranded DNA, molecular docking simulations were performed at molecular level.

Imidazole-based AIEgens for highly sensitive and selective detection of picric acid

A new family of imidazole-based AIEgens has been synthesized as fluorescent probes for specific recognition of picric acids over a variety of nitroaromatic compounds in aqueous media with high sensitivity.

Cage-···Cage- Interaction: Boron Cluster-Based Noncovalent Bond and Its Applications in Solid-State Materials

Carboranes are boron-carbon clusters with important applications in the fields of materials, catalysis, pharmaceuticals, etc. However, the noncovalent interactions that could determine the solid-state structures and properties of such boron clusters have rarely been investigated. Herein, inspired by the coordinate bond in metallacarborane or ferrocene, the boron cluster-based noncovalent interaction (denoted as cage^-···cage^- interaction) between two nido-carborane clusters was successfully realized by using a pyridinium-based molecular barrier. The X-ray diffraction studies uncover that the cage^-···cage^- interaction has a contacting distance of 5.4-7.0 Å from centroid to centroid in the systems reported here. Theoretical calculations validate the formation of the noncovalent interaction and disclose its repulsive bonding nature that is overcome thanks to the positively charged pyridinium-based framework. Interestingly, such bulk crystalline materials containing the cage^-···cage^- interaction show relevant properties such as full-color absorption in the visible light range and important photothermal effect, which are absent for the control compound without carboranes. This study may offer fundamental insights into the boron cluster-based noncovalent interactions and open a new research avenue to rationally design boron cluster-based materials.

Anisotropic Particles through Multilayer Assembly

The anisotropy in the shape of polymeric particles has been demonstrated to have many advantages over spherical particulates, including bio-mimetic behavior, shaped-directed flow, deformation, surface adhesion, targeting, motion, and permeability. The layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is uniquely suited for synthesizing anisotropic particles as this method allows for simple and versatile replication of diverse colloid geometries with precise control over their chemical and physical properties. This review highlights recent progress in anisotropic particles of micrometer and nanometer sizes produced by a templated multilayer assembly of synthetic and biological macromolecules. Synthetic approaches to produce capsules and hydrogels utilizing anisotropic templates such as biological, polymeric, bulk hydrogel, inorganic colloids, and metal-organic framework crystals as sacrificial templates are overviewed. Structure-property relationships controlled by the anisotropy in particle shape and surface are discussed and compared with their spherical counterparts. Advances and challenges in controlling particle properties through varying shape anisotropy and surface asymmetry are outlined. The perspective applications of anisotropic colloids in biomedicine, including programmed behavior in the blood and tissues as artificial cells, nano-motors/sensors, and intelligent drug carriers are also discussed.

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.

Anion-dependent structural variations and charge transport property analysis of 4′-(3-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridinium salts

Anion-dependent structural variations and charge transport analysis of three 4′-(3-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridinium salts are reported. They exhibit pronounced photosensing behavior when illuminated using visible light.

Crystal structures of the anhydrous and two solvated forms of methyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

Methyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate, (I), was found to exhibit solvatomorphism. The compound was prepared using a classic Biginelli reaction under mild conditions, without using catalysts and in a solvent-free environment. Single crystals of two solvatomorphs and one anhydrous form of (I) were obtained through various crystallization methods. The anhydrous form, C₁₃H₁₃FN₂O₃, was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c. It showed one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The solvatomorph with included carbon tetrachloride, C₁₃H₁₃FN₂O₃·0.25CCl₄, was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2/n. The asymmetric unit revealed two molecules of (I) and one disordered carbon tetrachloride solvent molecule that lies on a twofold axis. A solvatomorph including ethyl acetate, C₁₃H₁₃FN₂O₃·0.5C₄H₈O₂, was found to crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1 with one molecule of (I) and one solvent molecule on an inversion centre in the asymmetric unit. The solvent molecules in the solvatomorphs were found to be disordered, with a unique case of crystallographically induced disorder in (I) crystallized with ethyl acetate. Hydrogen-bonding interactions, for example, N-H...O=C, C-H...O=C, C-H...F and C-H...π, contribute to the crystal packing with the formation of a characteristic dimer through N-H...O=C interactions in all three forms. The solvatomorphs display additional interactions, such as C-F...N and C-Cl...π, which are responsible for their molecular arrangement. The thermal properties of the forms were analysed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot stage microscopy (HSM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments.

Halogen Bonding in New Dichloride-Cobalt(II) Complex with Iodo Substituted Chalcone Ligands

The synthesis and properties of new chalcone ligand 4I-L ((2E)-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-(4-iodophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one) and tetracoordinate Co(II) complex [Co(4I-L)2Cl2], (1a), are reported in this article. Upon recrystallization of 1a, the single crystals of [Co(4I-L)4Cl2]·2DMF·3Et2O (1b) were obtained and crystal structure was determined using X-ray diffraction. The non-covalent interactions in 1b were thoroughly analyzed and special attention was dedicated to interactions formed by the peripheral iodine substituents. The density functional theory (DFT), atoms in molecule (AIM) and noncovalent interaction (NCI) methods and electronic localization function (ELF) calculations were used to investigate halogen bond formed between the iodine functional groups and co-crystallized molecules of diethyl ether.

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.

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.

Solvent induced mononuclear and dinuclear mixed ligand Cu(ii) complex: structural diversity, supramolecular packing polymorphism and molecular docking studies

Phenolate bridged dinuclear and solvent induced mononuclear supramolecular isomers of Cu(ii) complex have been reported to explore the structural diversity and their antibacterial activity supported by molecular docking studies.

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.

Structures, photoresponse properties and DNA binding abilities of 4-(4-pyridinyl)-2-pyridone salts

Three salts [perchlorate (2), chloride (3) and tetrafluoroborate (4)] were synthesized from a 1-(2-aminoethyl)-6-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-[4,4'-bipyridine]-3,5-dicarbonitrile compound (1) and characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Various noncovalent interactions (e.g., anion⋯π+, π⋯π, lp⋯π) are explored in the solid state crystal structure of the salts. Optical band gaps of all the four compounds were determined from their solid-state UV-vis spectrum. Electrical properties like electrical conductivity, photosensitivity, etc. were calculated and the results revealed that they have potential to act as optoelectronic devices. The values of the electrical parameters increase several times when they are exposed to visible light rather than in dark conditions. The light sensing properties of the salts (2-4) are enhanced compared to that of the mother organic compound 1 but the magnitude of this enhancement is not same for the three salts. This observation has been rationalized by theoretical considerations. Moreover, the DNA binding ability of one of the representative salts (compound 2) was examined to check the biological importance of the synthesized salts.

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.

The enrichment ratio of atomic contacts in the crystal structure of isomeric, triply protonated, 4'-functionalized terpyridine cations with [ZnCl4]2- as counter-ion

We report herein the synthesis, crystallographic analysis and a study of the non-covalent inter-actions observed in the new 4'-substituted terpyridine-based derivative bis-[4'-(isoquinolin-2-ium-4-yl)-4,2':6',4''-terpyridine-1,1''-diium] tris-[tetra-chlorido-zincate(II)], (C24H19N4)2[ZnCl4]3 or (44TPH3)2[ZnCl4]3, where (44TPH3)3+ is the triply protonated cation 4'-(isoquinolinium-4-yl)-4,2':6',4'' terpyridinium. The compound is similar in its formulation to the recently reported 2,2':6',2'' terpyridinium analogue {bis-[4'-(isoquinolin-2-ium-4-yl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-1,1''-diium] tris-[tetra-chlorido-zincate(II)] monohydrate; Granifo et al. (2017 ▸). Acta Cryst. C73, 1121-1130}, although rather different and much simpler in its structural features, mainly in the number and type of non-covalent inter-actions present, as well as in the supra-molecular structure they define.

Enhanced Photosensitive Schottky Diode Behavior of Pyrazine over 2-Aminopyrimidine Ligand in Copper(II)-Phthalate MOFs: Experimental and Theoretical Rationalization

Two novel Cu(II)-based metal-organic frameworks [C₄₀H₃₄Cu₂N₆O₁₈ (1) and C₂₀H₁₈CuN₂O₁₀ (2)] have been synthesized using 2-aminopyrimidine or pyrazine ligands and phthalate ion and characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Both 1 and 2 show electrical conductivity and photosensitivity, evidencing their potentiality in optoelectronic device applications. Experimental and theoretical investigations revealed that the electrical conductivity under irradiation of visible light increases compared to that under dark condition (photosensitive Schottky barrier diode behavior), especially in complex 2. Both 1 and 2 have been successfully applied in technologically challenging thin-film active devices.

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.