Self-assembled nanostructures of amphiphilic zinc(II) salophen complexes: role of the solvent on their structure and morphology

Supramolecular assembly of amphiphilic platinum(ii) Schiff base complexes: diverse spectroscopic changes and nanostructures through rational molecular design and solvent control

A new class of amphiphilic tetradentate platinum(ii) Schiff base complexes has been designed and synthesized. The self-assembly properties by exploiting the potential Pt⋯Pt interactions of amphiphilic platinum(ii) Schiff base complexes in the solution state have been systematically investigated. The presence of Pt⋯Pt interactions has further been supported by computational studies and non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis of the dimer of the complex. The extent of the non-covalent Pt⋯Pt and π-π interactions could be regulated by a variation of the solvent compositions and the hydrophobicity of the complexes, which is accompanied by attractive spectroscopic and luminescence changes and leads to diverse morphological transformations. The present work represents a rare example of demonstration of directed cooperative assembly of amphiphilic platinum(ii) Schiff base complexes by intermolecular Pt⋯Pt interactions in solution with an in-depth mechanistic investigation, providing guiding principles for the construction of supramolecular structures with desirable properties using platinum(ii) Schiff base building blocks.

Lewis Acidic Zinc(II) Complexes of Tetradentate Ligands as Building Blocks for Responsive Assembled Supramolecular Structures

This review presents representative examples illustrating how the Lewis acidic character of the Zn(II) metal center in Zn(salen)-type complexes, as well as in complexes of other tetradentate ligands, and the nature of the medium govern their supramolecular aggregation, leading to the formation of a variety of supramolecular structures, either in solution or in the solid state. Stabilization of these Lewis acidic complexes is almost always reached through an axial coordination of a Lewis base, leading to a penta-coordinated square-pyramidal geometry around the metal center. The coverage is not exhaustive, mainly focused on their crystallographic structures, but also on their aggregation and sensing properties in solution, and on their self-assembled and responsive nanostructures, summarizing their salient aspects. The axial ligands can easily be displaced, either in solution or in the solid state, with suitable Lewis bases, thus being responsive supramolecular structures useful for sensing. This contribution represents the first attempt to relate some common features of the chemistry of different families of Zn(II) complexes of tetradentate ligands to their intrinsic Lewis acidic character.

Excited state dynamics of Zn-salophen complexes

Zn-salophen complexes are a promising class of fluorescent chemosensors for nucleotides and nucleic acids. We have investigated, by means of steady state UV-Vis, ultrafast transient absorption, fluorescence emission and time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) the behavior of the excited states of a salicylidene tetradentate Schiff base (Sal), its Zn(II) coordination compound (Zn-Sal) and the effect of the interaction between Zn-Sal and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). TD-DFT shows that the deactivation of the excited state of Sal occurs through torsional motion, due to its rotatable bonds and twistable angles. Complexation with Zn(II) causes rigidity so that the geometry changes in the excited states with respect to the ground state structure are minimal. By addition of ADP to a freshly prepared Zn-Sal ethanol solution, a longer relaxation constant, in comparison to Zn-Sal, was measured, indicative of the interaction between Zn-Sal and ADP. After a few days, the Zn-Sal-ADP solution displayed the same static and dynamic behavior of a solution containing only the Sal ligand, demonstrating that the coordination of the ADP anion to Zn(II)leads to the demetallation of the Sal ligand. Fluorescence measurements also revealed an enhanced fluorescence at 375 nm following the addition of ADP to the solution, caused by the presence of 2,3-diamino naphthalene that is formed by demetallation and partial decomposition of the Sal ligand. The efficient fluorescence of this species at 375 nm could be selectively detected and used as a probe for the detection of ADP in solution.

Lewis acidic zinc(II) salen-type Schiff-base complexes: sensing properties and responsive nanostructures

In this frontier article some peculiar characteristics of Zn(salen)-type Schiff-base complexes are reviewed. The paper is mainly focused on the most recent and relevant achievements on responsive supramolecular nanostructures and sensing properties, both of them related to the Lewis acidic character of the ZnII centre in these molecular species, providing an interpretation of these features. The sensing properties of Zn(salen)-type complexes mainly originate from optical spectroscopic changes associated with the formation of the adducts upon addition of a Lewis base (analyte), either by deaggregation of dimeric species or displacement of the solvent coordinated to the metal centre. In both cases the direct sensing is related either to the Lewis acidic character of the complex as well as to the Lewis basicity of the analyte. The formation of responsive nanostructures with fluorescent, and/or vapochromic, mechanochromic, and thermochromic characteristics is driven by non-mutual intermolecular ZnO interactions, further stabilized by π-π stacking interactions and/or interdigitation of the alkyl side groups. The Lewis acidic character is not a prerogative of Zn(salen)-type complexes of tetradentate Schiff-bases. Many other classes of ZnII complexes can possess this property. A correct interpretation of their chemistry is certainly useful for further development of these classical coordination compounds as new molecular materials.

On the Aggregation and Sensing Properties of Zinc(II) Schiff-Base Complexes of Salen-Type Ligands

The zinc(II) ion forms stable complexes with a wide variety of ligands, but those related to Schiff-bases are among the most largely investigated. This review deals with the peculiar aggregation characteristics of Zn(II) Schiff-base complexes from tetradentate N2O2 salen-type ligands, L, derivatives from salicylaldehydes and 1,2-diamines, and is mostly focused on their spectroscopic properties in solution. Thanks to their Lewis acidic character, ZnL complexes show interesting structural, nanostructural, and aggregation/deaggregation properties in relation to the absence/presence of a Lewis base. Deaggregation of these complexes is accompanied by relevant changes of their spectroscopic properties that can appropriately be exploited for sensing Lewis bases. Thus, ZnL complexes have been investigated as chromogenic and fluorogenic chemosensors of charged and neutral Lewis bases, including cell imaging, and have shown to be selective and sensitive to the Lewis basicity of the involved species. From these studies emerges that these popular, Lewis acidic bis(salicylaldiminato)Zn(II) Schiff-base complexes represent classical coordination compounds for modern applications.

Synthesis of a Novel Zn-Salphen Building Block and Its Acrylic Terpolymer Counterparts as Tunable Supramolecular Recognition Systems

In this work, we present the synthesis of a novel Zn-Salphen complex containing an allyl group, which was used as building block in the further preparation of a new family of functional terpolymers. These polymers were obtained through radical co-polymerization with methyl metacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (nBuA) in different ratios. The supramolecular recognition behavior of each polymer was evaluated via potentiometric measurements against selected anions in aqueous media. Interestingly, this proof of concept study shows that these systems were selective against only fluoride (F⁻) or both, fluoride and acetate (OAc⁻), by tailoring the relative content of Zn-Salphen monomer, thus making them a promising starting point for modular design of chemical sensors through straightforward synthetic approaches.

Mechanochromic luminescence based on a phthalonitrile-bridging salophen zinc(ii) complex

Here, we showcase the impressive stimuli-responsive properties of a luminescent zinc(ii)–salophen complex CN-Zn, highlighting a reversible mechanochromic property.

Self-assembly of bis-salphen compounds: from semiflexible chains to webs of nanorings

The recently-observed self-assembly of certain salphen-based compounds into neuron-like networks of microrings interconnected with nano-thin strings may suggest a new highly-potent tool for nanoscale patterning. However, the mechanism behind such phenomena needs to be clarified before they can be applied in materials design. Here we show that, in contrast with what was initially presumed, the emergence of a "rings-and-rods" pattern is unlikely to be explained by merging, collapse and piercing of vesicles as in previously reported cases of nanorings self-assembly via non-bonding interactions. We propose an alternative explanation: the compounds under study form a 1D coordination polymer, the fibres of which are elastic enough to fold into toroidal globules upon solvent evaporation, while being able to link separate chains into extended networks. This becomes possible because the structure of the compound's scaffold is found to adopt a very different conformation from that inferred in the original work. Based on ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations we propose a step-by-step description of self-assembly process of a supramolecular structure which explains all the observed phenomena in a simple and clear way. The individual roles of the compound' s scaffold structure, coordination centres, functional groups and solvent effects are also explained, opening a route to control the morphology of self-assembled networks and to synthesize new compounds exhibiting similar behaviour.

Supramolecular Aggregation of a New Substituted Bis(salicylaldiminato)zinc(II) Schiff-Base Complex Derived from trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane

In this contribution is reported the synthesis, characterization, and aggregation properties in solution of a novel Zn(II) complex, (R)-2, derived from the enantiopure chiral trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and a substituted salicylaldehyde. Detailed 1H NMR, DOSY NMR, optical absorption, and circular dichroism spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence allowed to investigate the nature of aggregate species in solution. The high solubility of (R)-2 in solution of the non-coordinating chloroform solvent leads to formation of various aggregates, some of them consisting of large oligomers estimated to contain up to 27 monomeric units. The chiral trans-stereochemistry of the bridging diamine favors a different aggregation mode in these complexes, both in the oligomers and dimers, involving a tetrahedral coordination geometry around the metal center. Overall data suggest the formation of helical oligomers, (ZnL)n, in freshly prepared chloroform solutions which, by standing or heating, evolve towards a more thermodynamically stable, dinuclear double-helicate Zn2L2 dimer.

Vapochromic and chemiresistive characteristics of a nanostructured molecular material composed of a zinc(ii)-salophen complex

A Zn^II Schiff-base complex shows vapochromic and chemiresistive behaviour when exposed to vapours of a Lewis base.

The Effect of Solvent and Coordination Environment of Metal Source on the Self-Assembly Pathway of a Pd(II)-Mediated Coordination Capsule

The effect of reaction environment on the self-assembly process of an octahedron-shaped Pd₆L₈ capsule was investigated. Quantitative analysis of self-assembly process with ¹H NMR spectroscopy revealed that the self-assembly pathway of the capsule was altered by solvent and a leaving ligand coordinating to the metal source, which are not the components of the final self-assembly. Solvents definitively determine the pathway of the self-assembly at a very early stage of the self-assembly. Contrary to the expectation that the weaker the coordination ability of the leaving ligand is, the faster the formation of the final assembly becomes, a leaving ligand with weak coordination ability tends to generate a kinetically trapped species to prevent the capsule formation under mild conditions.

Lewis basicity of relevant monoanions in a non-protogenic organic solvent using a zinc(ii) Schiff-base complex as a reference Lewis acid

The Lewis basicity of relevant anions is reported for the first time and compared with that of neutral bases.

On the Lewis acidic character of bis(salicylaldiminato)zinc(ii) Schiff-base complexes: a computational and experimental investigation on a series of compounds varying the bridging diimine

The electronic effects induced by the geometry of the 1,2-diimine bridge control the Lewis acidic character in a series of Zn^II Shiff-base complexes.

Rational design of a supramolecular gel based on a Zn(ii)–salophen bis-dipeptide derivative

We report the rational design and synthesis of a supramolecular gelator based on a Zn(ii)–salophen derivative functionalized with l-valine residues.

New organometallic Schiff-base copper complexes as efficient “click” reaction precatalysts

In the presence of sodium ascorbate, recyclable CuAAC precatalysts displayed high activity allowing the synthesis of a wide variety of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in high isolated yields.

Determination of Residual Solvents in Linezolid by Static Headspace GC

A headspace gas chromatographic method was developed for the determination of residual solvents in linezolid active substances. The solvents include petroleum ether (60-90°C), acetone, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, methanol, dichloromethane (DCM) and pyridine. The method showed the possibility to detect the tested solvents with a linear determination correlation coefficient (r) greater than 0.9995 except for petroleum ether (0.9980). The limits of detection ranged between 0.12 μg/mL (petroleum ether) and 3.56 μg/mL (DCM), and the limits of quantity ranged between 0.41 μg/mL (petroleum ether) and 11.86 μg/mL (DCM). The method achieved good accuracy (recoveries ranging from 92.8 to 102.5%) and precision for both run-to-run and day-to-day assay (relative standard deviation ranging from 0.4 to 1.3%) for all seven solvents concerned, which were applied in the quality control of three batches of linezolid successfully.

Unravelling the correlation between metal induced aggregation and cellular uptake/subcellular localization of Znsalen: an overlooked rule for design of luminescent metal probes

Unravelling the unique effects of metal coordination on biological behaviours is of importance to design metal based therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In this work, we chose luminescent Znsalen (ZnL1 ) as a case study to demonstrate that metal induced aggregation arising from the intermolecular Zn···O interaction influences its cellular uptake and subcellular localization. Comparative studies with the free bases (L1 and L2 ) show that ZnL1 undergoes cellular uptake through caveolae-mediated endocytosis and internalizes in endosomal/lysosomal compartments, in contrast to the localization of L1 and L2 in the mitochondria. Further studies of photophysical properties, TEM imaging and DLS analysis suggest that ZnL1 tends to form large sized fibrous structures in aqueous media. To investigate the relationship between ZnL1 aggregation and the biological behaviour, we used pyridine to tune the "aggregation-to-deaggregation" transition and found that, in the presence of pyridine, ZnL1 could localize in the mitochondria and internalize into cells through the passive diffusion pathway. Such distinctive biological behaviours resulting from the different Znsalen species clearly point out the importance of metal induced aggregation or metal speciation analysis in designing metal complexes as biological probes.

Structure and aggregation properties of a Schiff-base zinc(ii) complex derived from cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

The effect of the bridging diamine upon the aggregation properties of a Zn^II Schiff-base complex is reported. The X-ray crystal structure indicates the presence of an asymmetric dimer which is preserved even in solution.