The Origin of Anion-π Autocatalysis

The autocatalysis of epoxide-opening ether cyclizations on the aromatic surface of anion-π catalysts stands out as a leading example of emergent properties expected from the integration of unorthodox interactions into catalysis. A working hypothesis was proposed early on, but the mechanism of anion-π autocatalysis has never been elucidated. Here, we show that anion-π autocatalysis is almost independent of peripheral crowding in substrate and product. Inaccessible asymmetric anion-π autocatalysis and sometimes erratic reproducibility further support that the origin of anion-π autocatalysis is more complex than originally assumed. The apparent long-distance communication without physical contact calls for the inclusion of water between substrate and product on the catalytic aromatic surface. Efficient anion-π autocatalysis around equimolar amounts but poor activity in dry solvents and with excess water indicate that this inclusion of water requires high precision. Computational models suggest that two water molecules transmit dual substrate activation by the product and serve as proton shuttles along antiparallel but decoupled hydrogen-bonded chains to delocalize and stabilize evolving charge density in the transition state by "anion-π double bonds". This new transition-state model of anion-π autocatalysis provides a plausible mechanism that explains experimental results and brings anion-π catalysis to an unprecedented level of sophistication.

A single 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion as a solvatochromic sensor array for multicolor visual discrimination of solvents

We report a single 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (Acr+-Mes) as a solvatochromic sensor array for multicolor visual discrimination of solvents. The composite fluorescent response of Acr+-Mes to polarity, dispersed state, and lone-pair-π interactions produces different colors when it is dissolved in various solvents. The corresponding RGB values as sensing elements are extracted to create distinct fluorescence response patterns for each solvent. With the help of principal component analysis, common solvents, such as water (H2O), absolute ethanol (EtOH), acetonitrile (MeCN), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetone (CO(Me)2), dichloromethane (DCM), trichloromethane (TCM), tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene (PhMe), and tetrachloromethane (CCl4), are successfully discriminated and identified with an accuracy of 100%. What's more, this sensor array can also discriminate binary solvent mixtures and quantitatively detect DMSO in organic and inorganic solvents.

Crystal structure of the co-crystal 2-[(2-carboxyphenyl)disulfanyl]benzoic acid – 3-chlorobenzoic acid (2/1), C35H25ClO10S4

C35H25ClO10S4, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 7.9798(2) Å, b = 10.2392(3) Å, c = 20.6956(4) Å, α = 103.632(2)°, β = 96.082(2)°, γ = 96.053(2)°, V = 1619.13(7) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0493, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1413, T = 100(2) K.

On the influence of small chemical changes upon the supramolecular association in substituted 2-(phenoxy)-1,4-naphthoquinones

X-ray crystallography reveals the common feature of the title compounds is a 1,4-naphthoquinone ring system with a substituted phenoxy residue adjacent to an oxo-group to give 1 (H), 2 (3-Br), 3 (3-CF3), 4 (4-CN) and 5 (4-NO2). To a first approximation the fused ring system along with the two oxo substituents is planar with the major difference between the molecules relating to the relative orientations of the pendant phenoxy residues: dihedral angles range from 56.56(4)° (3) to 87.52(10)° (2). The presence of intermolecular C–H···O interactions is the common feature of the supramolecular association in the crystals of 1–5. In each of 1 and 5, these extend in three-dimensions but, only to supramolecular dimers in 4, chains in 2 and layers in 3. Each crystal also features C=O···π interactions, pointing to the importance of these points of contact in this series di-oxocompounds. In 2, these, along with C–Br···π interactions lead to a three-dimensional architecture. For 3, the C=O···π and π···π interactions occur within the layers which stack without directional interactions between them. In 4, C–H···O and C=O···π interactions combine to give a supramolecular layer, which also stack without directional interactions in the inter-layer region. Further analysis of the molecular packing was conducted by a Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA). This points to the significant role of H···H, C···H/H···C and O···H/H···O contacts in the packing of 1. Notably different roles for these contacts are found in the other crystals correlating with the participation of the respective substituents in the molecular packing. The HSA suggests the association between layers in 3 (weak F···F and H···F interactions) and 4 (weak H···N interactions) is contributed by the phenoxy-substituents.

Sulfur(lone-pair)…π interactions with FAD in flavoenzymes

The interactions of π-systems with lone-pairs of electrons are known and have been described in biological systems, involving lone-pairs derived from metals, metalloids, sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen. This study describes a bibliographic survey of the disulfide-bound sulfur(lone-pair) interactions with π-systems residing in the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor of oxidoreductase enzymes (flavoenzymes). Thus, of the 172 oxidoreductase enzymes evaluated for gamma-S(lone-pair)…π(FAD) interactions, 96 proteins (56%) exhibited these interactions corresponding; 61% of 350 the constituent monomers featured at least one gamma-S(lone-pair)…π(FAD) interaction. Two main points of association between the S(lone-pair) and the isoalloxazine moiety of FAD were identified, namely at the centroid of the bond linking the uracil and pyrazine rings (60%), and the centroid of the uracil ring (37%). Reflecting the nature of the secondary structure in three prominent classes of oxidoreductase enzymes: glutathione disulfide reductases (GR; 21 proteins), trypanothione disulfide reductases (TR, 14) and sulfhydryl oxidases (SOX, 22), the approach of the gamma-S(lone-pair) to the FAD residue was to the si-face of the isoalloxazine ring system, i.e. to the opposite side as the carbonyl residue, for all GR and TR examples, and to the re-face for all SOX examples. Finally, the attractive nature of the gamma-S(lone-pair)…π(FAD) interactions was confirmed qualitatively by an examination of the non-covalent interaction plots.

Persistence of C–H⋯π(chelate ring) interactions in the crystal structures of Pd(S2COR)2. The utility of Pd(S2COR)2as precursors for palladium sulphide materials

The influence of C–H⋯π(PdS₂C) interactions in the molecular packing of Pd(S₂COR)₂increases as the steric bulk ofRincreases.

Induced phosphorescence from Pt → Ag and Ag(i)⋯Ag(i) metallophilic interactions in benzenedithiolatodiimine-Pt2/Ag2 clusters: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation

We report the synthesis and luminescence properties of a novel platinum(ii)–silver(i) cluster exhibiting supramolecular donor–acceptor dative Pt → Ag bonds as well as d¹⁰⋯d¹⁰ argentophilic interactions.

Supramolecular architectures sustained by arene-C–H…π(quasi-chelate ring) interactions in the crystal structures of copper(I) complexes

A review of the crystallographic literature is presented whereby structures featuring a quasi-six-membered chelate ring of the type {CuCl…HNCS} were evaluated for the presence of intermolecular C–H…π(quasi-chelate) interactions. These are shown to stabilise crystal structures leading to zero-, one-, two- and even three-dimensional architectures. Details of these interactions are described and a comparison to analogous interactions formed intramolecularly has been made. The C–H…π(quasi-chelate) interactions in these structures occur in one-third of structures where such contacts can potentially form.

On the nature of M–CO(lone pair)⋯π(arene) interactions in the solid state of fluorinated oxaphosphirane complexes

The X-ray structures of several oxaphosphirane tungsten(0) complexes exhibit interesting intramolecular W–CO(lone pair)ċπ(arene) interactions that have been rationalized by means of high-level DFT calculations and the CSD.

N-donor ligands enhancing luminescence properties of seven Zn/Cd(ii) MOFs based on a large rigid π-conjugated carboxylate ligand

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has been identified and studied based on a bulky π-conjugated ligand (H₂IDPA) with Zn/Cd^II metals.

Anion-controlled self-assembly of two NLO-active dinuclear and molecular square Cu(ii) enantiomeric pairs: from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic coupling

Two dinuclear and molecular square Cu(ii) enantiomeric pairs were obtained, and their magnetic properties are switched from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic coupling.