The Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling-Claisen Rearrangement-Cross-Metathesis Approach to Prenylated Isoflavones

Isoflavones were synthesized via Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of 3-iodochromones and para-methoxybenzene- and para-phenolboronic acid. In our hands, conditions commonly used for similar cross couplings turned out to be unsuccessful or difficult to reproduce, for example, due to the unplanned partial cleavage of MOM-protecting groups. Using Pd(dba)₂ as a precatalyst and tricyclohexylphosphine as an activating ligand, reliable cross-coupling conditions were identified. In all cases, notably higher yields of isoflavones were obtained with para-phenolboronic acid than with para-methoxybenzene boronic acid. This observation and the commercial availability of para-phenolboronic acid suggest that for the synthesis of the important 3'-prenyl- or 3',5'-diprenylisoflavone substitution pattern a synthetic route that introduces the prenyl substituents after the Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling step, thereby avoiding laborious and protecting-group-intensive multistep syntheses of C-prenylated arene boronic acids, is advantageous.

Tetrahalidometallate(II) Ionic Liquids with More than One Metal: The Effect of Bromide versus Chloride

Fifteen N-butylpyridinium salts - five monometallic [C₄ Py]₂ [MBr₄ ] and ten bimetallic [C₄ Py]₂ [M_0.5 ^a M_0.5 ^b Br₄ ] (M=Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn) - were synthesized, and their structures and thermal and electrochemical properties were studied. All the compounds are ionic liquids (ILs) with melting points between 64 and 101 °C. Powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction show that all ILs are isostructural. The electrochemical stability windows of the ILs are between 2 and 3 V. The conductivities at room temperature are between 10^-5 and 10^-6  S cm^-1 . At elevated temperatures, the conductivities reach up to 10^-4  S cm^-1 at 70 °C. The structures and properties of the current bromide-based ILs were also compared with those of previous examples using chloride ligands, which illustrated differences and similarities between the two groups of ILs.

Bromination of eudesmin isolated from araucaria araucana induces epimerization and give bromine derivatives with loss of anti-Candida activity

Furofuran lignanes show important biological activities for the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory and metabolic pathologies. They have been isolated from leaves and barks of many plants. In Chile the native conifer Araucaria araucana produces eudesmin, matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol in stemwood, branchwood and knotwood. These compounds were previously isolated by laborious flash chromatography on silica gel. Here we report the easy isolation of eudesmin by soxhlet extraction from milled knots of Araucaria araucana with hexane, followed by cryo-crystallization at -20 °C. Upon bromination of the isolated eudesmin epimerization at one benzylic position occurs, giving epieudesmin and the corresponding mono and di-brominated derivatives. The structures were determined by 1D, 2D NMR and X-ray diffraction. The analysis of products against Candida yeast showed that eudesmin has a moderate activity against different strains of Candida from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL. This activity decreases for epieudesmin, while bromine derivatives are not active.

Studies toward the Total Synthesis of Arylnaphthalene Lignans via a Photo-Dehydro-Diels-Alder (PDDA) Reaction

An efficient method for the preparation of arylnaphthalene lignans (ANLs) was developed, which is based on the Photo-Dehydro-Diels-Alder (PDDA) reaction. While intermolecular PDDA reactions turned out to be inefficient, the intramolecular variant using suberic acid as tether linking two aryl propiolic esters smoothly provided naphthalenophanes. The irradiations were performed with a previously developed annular continuous-flow reactor and UVB lamps. In this way, the natural products Alashinol D, Taiwanin C, and an unnamed ANL could be prepared.

Intermolecular interactions in the solid-state structures of isoflavones: the relationship between supramolecular structure, torsion angle, and macroscopic properties

The different macroscopic properties of closely related isoflavones were associated with the occurrence of intermolecular interactions and different torsion angles in the solid-state.

Mixed chloridometallate(ii) ionic liquids with tunable color and optical response for potential ammonia sensors

Eight d-metal-containing N-butylpyridinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized, characterized, and investigated for their optical properties.

Influence of Functional Groups on the Ene Reaction of Singlet Oxygen with 1,4-Cyclohexadienes†

The photooxygenation of 1,4-cyclohexadienes has been studied with a special focus on regio- and stereoselectivities. In all examples, only the methyl-substituted double bond undergoes an ene reaction with singlet oxygen, to afford hydroperoxides in moderate to good yields. We explain the high regioselectivities by a "large-group effect" of the adjacent quaternary stereocenter. Nitriles decrease the reactivity of singlet oxygen, presumably by quenching, but can stabilize proposed per-epoxide intermediates by polar interactions resulting in different stereoselectivities. Spiro lactams and lactones show an interesting effect on regio- and stereoselectivities of the ene reactions. Thus, singlet oxygen attacks the double bond preferentially anti to the carbonyl group, affording only one regioisomeric hydroperoxide. If the reaction occurs from the opposite face, the other regioisomer is exclusively formed by severe electrostatic repulsion in a perepoxide intermediate. We explain this unusual behavior by the fixed geometry of spiro compounds and call it a "spiro effect" in singlet oxygen ene reactions.

Ionic Liquids with More than One Metal: Optical and Electrochemical Properties versus d-Block Metal Combinations

Thirteen N-butylpyridinium salts, including three monometallic [C4 Py]2 [MCl4 ], nine bimetallic [C4 Py]2 [M1-x a Mx b Cl4 ] and one trimetallic compound [C4 Py]2 [M1-y-z a My b Mz c Cl4 ] (M=Co, Cu, Mn; x=0.25, 0.50 or 0.75 and y=z=0.33), were synthesized and their structure and thermal and electrochemical properties were studied. All compounds are ionic liquids (ILs) with melting points between 69 and 93 °C. X-ray diffraction proves that all ILs are isostructural. The conductivity at room temperature is between 10-4 and 10-8  S cm-1 . Some Cu-based ILs reach conductivities of 10-2  S cm-1 , which is, however, probably due to IL dec. This correlates with the optical bandgap measurements indicating the formation of large bandgap semiconductors. At elevated temperatures approaching the melting points, the conductivities reach up to 1.47×10-1  S cm-1 at 70 °C. The electrochemical stability windows of the ILs are between 2.5 and 3.0 V.

Total Syntheses of Prenylated Isoflavones from Erythrina sacleuxii and Their Antibacterial Activity: 5-Deoxy-3'-prenylbiochanin A and Erysubin F

The prenylated isoflavones 5-deoxyprenylbiochanin A (7-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-3'-prenylisoflavone) and erysubin F (7,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-diprenylisoflavone) were synthesized for the first time, starting from mono- or di-O-allylated chalcones, and the structure of 5-deoxy-3'-prenylbiochanin A was corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Flavanones are key intermediates in the synthesis. Their reaction with hypervalent iodine reagents affords isoflavones via a 2,3-oxidative rearrangement and the corresponding flavone isomers via 2,3-dehydrogenation. This enabled a synthesis of 7,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-diprenylflavone, a non-natural regioisomer of erysubin F. Erysubin F (8), 7,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-diprenylflavone (27), and 5-deoxy-3'-prenylbiochanin A (7) were tested against three bacterial strains and one fungal pathogen. All three compounds are inactive against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (NCTC 13349), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028), with MIC values greater than 80.0 μM. The diprenylated natural product erysubin F (8) and its flavone isomer 7,4'-dihydroxy-8,3'-diprenylflavone (27) show in vitro activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC 43300) at MIC values of 15.4 and 20.5 μM, respectively. In contrast, the monoprenylated 5-deoxy-3'-prenylbiochanin A (7) is inactive against this MRSA strain.

Maytenus disticha Extract and an Isolated β-Dihydroagarofuran Induce Mitochondrial Depolarization and Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells by Increasing Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species

Maytenus disticha (Hook F.), belonging to the Celastraceae family, is an evergreen shrub, native of the central southern mountains of Chile. Previous studies demonstrated that the total extract of M. disticha (MD) has an acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity along with growth regulatory and insecticidal activities. β-Dihydroagarofurans sesquiterpenes are the most active components in the plant. However, its activity in cancer has not been analyzed yet. Here, we demonstrate that MD has a cytotoxic activity on breast (MCF-7), lung (PC9), and prostate (C4-2B) human cancer cells with an IC₅₀ (µg/mL) of 40, 4.7, and 5 µg/mL, respectively, an increasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio, and inducing a mitochondrial membrane depolarization. The β-dihydroagarofuran-type sesquiterpene (MD-6), dihydromyricetin (MD-9), and dihydromyricetin-3-O-β-glucoside (MD-10) were isolated as the major compounds from MD extracts. From these compounds, only MD-6 showed cytotoxic activity on MCF-7, PC9, and C4-2B with an IC₅₀ of 31.02, 17.58, and 42.19 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the MD-6 increases cell ROS generation, and MD and MD-6 induce a mitochondrial superoxide generation and apoptosis on MCF-7, PC9, and C4-2B, which suggests that the cytotoxic effect of MD is mediated in part by the β-dihydroagarofuran-type that induces apoptosis by a mitochondrial dysfunction.

Crystal structures of three cyclohexane-based γ-spirolactams: determination of configurations and conformations

The title compounds, 2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-1-one, C₉H₁₅NO, (1a), cis-8-methyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-1-one, C₁₀H₁₇NO, (1b), and trans-8-methyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-1-one, C₁₀H₁₇NO, (1c), were synthesized from benzoic acids 2 in only 3 steps in high yields. Crystallization from n-hexane afforded single crystals, suitable for X-ray diffraction. Thus, the configurations, conformations, and interesting crystal packing effects have been determined unequivocally. The bicyclic skeleton consists of a lactam ring, attached by a spiro junction to a cyclohexane ring. The lactam ring adopts an envelope conformation and the cyclohexane ring has a chair conformation. The main difference between compound 1b and compound 1c is the position of the carbonyl group on the 2-pyrrolidine ring with respect to the methyl group on the 8-position of the cyclohexane ring, which is cis (1b) or trans (1c). A remarkable feature of all three compounds is the existence of a mirror plane within the molecule. Given that all compounds crystallize in centrosymmetric space groups, the packing always contains interesting enantiomer-like pairs. Finally, the structures are stabilized by intermolecular N–H···O hydrogen bonds.

The 1,6,7,12-Tetraazaperylene Bridging Ligand as an Electron Reservoir and Its Disulfonato Derivative as Redox Mediator in an Enzyme-Electrode Process

The homodinuclear ruthenium(II) complex [{Ru(l-N₄ Me₂ )}₂ (μ-tape)](PF₆ )₄ {[1](PF₆ )₄ } (l-N₄ Me₂ =N,N'-dimethyl-2,11-diaza[3.3](2,6)-pyridinophane, tape=1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene) can store one or two electrons in the energetically low-lying π* orbital of the bridging ligand tape. The corresponding singly and doubly reduced complexes [{Ru(l-N₄ Me₂ )}₂ (μ-tape^.- )](PF₆ )₃ {[2](PF₆ )₃ } and [{Ru(l-N₄ Me₂ )}₂ (μ-tape^2- )](PF₆ )₂ {[3](PF₆ )₂ }, respectively, were electrochemically generated, successfully isolated and fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic methods and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The singly reduced complex [2](PF₆ )₃ contains the π-radical tape^.- and the doubly reduced [3](PF₆ )₂ the diamagnetic dianion tape^2- as bridging ligand, respectively. Nucleophilic aromatic substitution at the bridging tape in [1]⁴⁺ by two sulfite units gave the complex [{Ru(l-N₄ Me₂ )}₂ {μ-tape-(SO₃ )₂ }]²⁺ ([4]²⁺ ). Complex dication [4]²⁺ was exploited as a redox mediator between an anaerobic homogenous reaction solution of an enzyme system (sulfite/sulfite oxidase) and the electrode via participation of the low-energy π*-orbital of the disulfonato-substituted bridging ligand tape-(SO₃ )₂^2- (E_red1 =-0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl/1 m KCl in water).

Synthesis of a partially fluorinated ZIF-8 analog for ethane/ethene separation

ZIF-318, isostructural to ZIF-8 but built from the mixed linkers of 2-methylimidazole and 2-trifluoromethylimidazole can be activated for gases sorption and the separation of ethane/ethene mixtures.

Crystal structures of three bicyclic carbohydrate derivatives

The structures of three bicyclic carbohydrates derivatives containing cyclo­butanone or cyclo­lactame beside the pyran­ose ring are reported and the conformation and configuration established.

The title compounds, [(1R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-4,5-bis­(acet­yloxy)-7-oxo-2-oxabi­cyclo[4.2.0]octan-3-yl]methyl acetate, C₁₄H₁₈O₈, (I), [(1S,4R,5S,6R)-5-acet­yloxy-7-hy­droxy­imino-2-oxobi­cyclo­[4.2.0]octan-4-yl acetate, C₁₁H₁₅NO₆, (II), and [(3aR,5R,6R,7R,7aS)-6,7-bis­(acet­yloxy)-2-oxo­octa­hydro­pyrano[3,2-b]pyrrol-5-yl]methyl acetate, C₁₄H₁₉NO₈, (III), are stable bicyclic carbohydrate derivatives. They can easily be synthesized in a few steps from commercially available glycals. As a result of the ring strain from the four-membered rings in (I) and (II), the conformations of the carbohydrates deviate strongly from the ideal chair form. Compound (II) occurs in the boat form. In the five-membered lactam (III), on the other hand, the carbohydrate adopts an almost ideal chair conformation. As a result of the distortion of the sugar rings, the configurations of the three bicyclic carbohydrate derivatives could not be determined from their NMR coupling constants. From our three crystal structure determinations, we were able to establish for the first time the absolute configurations of all new stereocenters of the carbohydrate rings.

Photochemical Synthesis of Both Strained and Macrocyclic (1,7)Naphthalenophanes

Naphthalenophanes are a special type of cyclophanes. While in the past (1,5)-, (1,6)-, and (1,8)naphthalenophanes were successfully prepared by using the photo-dehydro-Diels-Alder (DDA) reaction, access to (1,7)naphthalenophanes by this method was hitherto unknown. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to prepare these compounds by thermal DDA, we found that the photoinitiated variant (PDDA) represents a very efficient method to [k](1,7)naphthalenophanes 13. The scope ranged from highly strained (k = 11, 12) to macrocyclic products (k = 22, 24). The extraordinary reactivity could be explained by folded ground-state geometries of diketones 12 used as reactants of the PDDA. Furthermore, we calculated the ring-strain energies with the help of an isodesmic reaction and evaluated structural and spectroscopic (NMR) consequences of ring strain.

Amino acid-derived N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes for aqueous phase Suzuki–Miyaura couplings

Five palladium complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from sustainable precursors have been synthesized and applied in aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura couplings.

EPR on bis(1,2-dithiosquarato)cuprate(II) in the bis(1,2-dithiosquarato)nickelate(II) host lattice – structure and spectroscopy‡

EPR spectroscopy is a well suited analytical tool to monitor the electronic situation around paramagnetic metal centres as copper(II) and therefore the structural influences on the paramagnetic ion. 1,2-Dithiosquaratometalates are available by direct synthesis from metal salts with dipotassium-1,2-dithiosquarate and the appropriate counter cations. Synthesis and characterisation of bis(benzyltributylammonium)1,2-dithiosquaratonickelate(II), (BzlBu

Bis(1,2-dithiosquarato)nickelates(II) - Synthesis, Structure, EPR and Thermal Behavior

1,2-Dithiosquaratonickelates are available by direct synthesis from metal salts with dipotassium-1,2-dithiosquarate and the appropriate counter cations. The synthesis and characterization, including mass spectrometry, of a series 1,2-dithiosquaratonickelates(II), [Ni(dtsq)2]2-, with several "onium" cations is reported and the X-ray structures of two diamagnetic complexes, (HexPh3N)2[Ni(dtsq)2] and (BuPh3N2[Ni(dtsq)2] with sterically demanding counter ions are presented. The diamagnetic nickel complexes have been doped as host lattices with traces of Cu(II) to measure EPR for additional structural information. The thermal behavior of this series is studied by thermogravimetry and differential thermo analysis (TG/DTA). The thermolysis in air as well as under nitrogen atmosphere of these complexes results in nickel oxide nano-particles in all cases, which are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction.

Dual Role of Acetanilides: Traceless Removal of a Directing Group through Deacetylation/Diazotation and Palladium-Catalyzed C-C-Coupling Reactions

The acetamide group enables regioselective oxidative ortho-C-H activation reactions, such as Pd-catalyzed acylation. The synthetic utility of these transformations can be significantly enhanced by using the acetamide as a quasi-leaving group in a subsequent conventional Pd-catalyzed coupling or cross-coupling reaction. The concept is illustrated herein for the synthesis of o-alkenyl- and o-arylphenones, which have potential for the synthesis of arylated aromatic heterocycles.

Porphyrin substituent regiochemistry, conformation and packing – the case of 5,10-diphenylporphyrin

5,10-Disubstituted porphyrins are more recent additions to the family of meso-substituted porphyrins. A crystallographic comparison of 5,10-diphenylporphyrin with the regioisomeric 5,15-disubstituted system reveals striking differences in their conformation. In the free base porphyrins the former uses mainly out-of-plane distortion to alleviate steric strain while in-plane core elongation predominates in the latter. In contrast, the structure of the Cu(II) complex is planar and forms strong π-π aggregates with very small lateral shifts. Macroscopically, the packing is similar to that of porphyrin sponges of the 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin type.

Crystal structure of (2,11-di-aza-[3.3](2,6)pyridino-phane-κ (4) N,N',N'',N''')(1,6,7,12-tetra-aza-perylene-κ (2) N (1),N (12))ruthenium(II) bis-(hexa-fluorido-phosphate) aceto-nitrile 1.422-solvate

The highlighted ruthenium complex forms discrete dimers by π–π stacking inter­actions and hydrogen bonds. This combination of inter­actions results in an unusual nearly face-to-face π–π stacking mode.

In the title compound, [Ru(C₁₄H₁₆N₄)(C₁₆H₈N₄)](PF₆)₂·1.422CH₃CN, discrete dimers of complex cations, [Ru(L–N₄H₂)tape]²⁺ are formed {L–N₄H₂ = 2,11-di­aza­[3.3](2,6)pyridino­phane; tape = 1,6,7,12-tetra­aza­perylene}, held together by π–π stacking inter­actions via the tape ligand moieties with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.49 (2) Å, assisted by hydrogen bonds between the non-coordinating tape ligand α,α′-di­imine unit and the amine proton of a 2,11-di­aza­[3.3](2,6)-pyridino­phane ligand of the opposite complex cation. The combination of these inter­actions leads to an unusual nearly face-to-face π–π stacking mode. Additional weak C—H⋯N, C—H⋯F, N—H⋯F and P—F⋯π-ring (tape, py) (with F⋯centroid distances of 2.925–3.984 Å) inter­actions are found, leading to a three-dimensional architecture. The Ru^II atom is coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry, particularly manifested by the N_amine—Ru—N_amine angle of 153.79 (10)°. The counter-charge is provided by two hexa­fluorido­phosphate anions and the asymmetric unit is completed by aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecules of crystallization. Disorder was observed for both the hexa­fluorido­phosphate anions as well as the aceto­nitrile solvate mol­ecules, with occupancies for the major moieties of 0.801 (6) for one of the PF₆ anions, and a shared occupancy of 0.9215 (17) for the second PF₆ anion and a partially occupied aceto­nitrile mol­ecule. A second CH₃CN mol­ecule is fully occupied, but 1:1 disordered across a crystallographic inversion center.

Ag(I)-, Hg(II)- und Pt(II)-Komplexe von Maleonitril-thiakronenethern/ Ag(I), Hg(II) and Pt(II) Complexes with Maleonitrile-thiacrown Ethers

The synthesis and single crystal X-ray structures of eight AgI, HgII, and PtII complexes with the thiacrown ethers maleonitrile-tetrathia-12-crown-4 (mn12S4), maleonitrile-tetrathia-13-crown-4 (mn13S4), and maleonitrile-pentathia-15-crown-5 (mn15S5) (1) are reported. The ligand mn15S5 was synthesized for the first time and characterized by X-ray diffraction. With silver(I) perchlorate and silver(I) tetrafluoroborate it forms the chiral complexes [Ag(mn15S5)]ClO4・CH3NO2 (2) and [Ag(mn15S5)]BF4・CH3NO2・0.25H2O (3) with half-sandwich moieties. AgI is located in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment, involving three sulfur atoms of the crown cycle and a fourth one of the adjacent half-sandwich moiety, forming a helical structure. The reaction of Hg(ClO4)2 with mn13S4 yielded the dinuclear complex [Hg2(mn13S4)3](ClO4)4 (4) containing two half-sandwich moieties with a third ligand molecule as a bridging unit. Mercury(II) chloride and mercury(II) iodide react with mn12S4 and mn13S4 to form complexes of the general composition [HgX2(L)] (X = Cl, I; L = mn12S4, mn13S4): [HgCl2(mn12S4)] (5), [HgI2(mn12S4)] (6), [HgCl2(mn13S4)] (7) or [HgX2(L)2] (X = I; L = mn13S4): [HgI2(mn13S4)2] (8). Only one or two sulfur atoms of the ligand are involved in the complexation, and chain or ribbon structures are formed. In these compounds the HgX2 units (X = Cl, I) are preserved, coordinated by sulfur atoms of bridging mn12S4 or mn13S4 ligands. In all complexes of this type, the metal atoms are not coordinated inside the cavity, but in an exocyclic mode, because the diameter of the macrocycle is too small. Additionally, the PtCl2 complex of mn12S4 was investigated, where PtII is coordinated in an exocyclic mode forming the complex [PtCl2(mn12S4)] (9). Two of the four sulfur atoms of the macrocycle are bonded to the metal giving together with both chlorine atoms a square-planar coordination geometry. Together with a long-range interaction with a further sulfur atom of the macrocycle a square-pyramidal coordination environment is formed.

Heterobimetallische 3d-4f-Komplexe mit Bis(1,2-dithiooxalato)nickelat(II) als planarem Brückenbaustein / Heterobimetallic 3d-4f-Complexes with Bis(1,2-dithiooxalato)nickelate(II) as Planar Bridging Block

Planar bis(1,2-dithiooxalato)nickelates(II) react in aqueous solutions of lanthanide ions to form pentanuclear, heterobimetallic complexes of the general composition [{Ln(H2O)n}2- {Ni(dto)2}3]・xH2O (Ln = Y3+, La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, Yb3+, Lu3+; n = 4 or 5; x = 9 - 12). With [{Nd(H2O)5}2{Ni(S2C2O2)2}3]・xH2O (x = 10 - 12) (1) and [{Er(H2O)4}2{Ni(S2C2O2)2}3]・xH2O (x = 9 - 10) (2) we were able to isolate two complexes of this series as single crystals, which were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Depending on the individual ionic radii of the lanthanide ions, the compounds crystallize in two different crystal systems with the following unit cell parameters: 1, monoclinic in P21/c with a = 11.3987(13), b = 11.4878(8), c = 20.823(2) Å , β = 98.907(9)° and Z = 2; 2, triclinic in P1̅ with a = 10.5091(6), b = 11.0604(6), c = 11.2823(6) Å , α = 107.899(4)°, β = 91.436(4)°, γ = 112.918(4)° and Z = 1. The channels and cavities appearing in the packing of the molecules are occupied by uncoordinated water molecules. High magnetic moments up to 14.65 BM./f.u. have been observed at room temperature due to the combined moments of the individual lanthanide ions.

(1,6,7,12-Tetra-aza-perylene-κ(2) N,N')bis-(4,4',5,5'-tetra-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl-κ(2) N,N')ruthenium(II) bis-(hexa-fluorido-phosphate) aceto-nitrile tris-olvate

In the title compound, rac-[Ru(C₁₄H₁₆N₂)₂(C₁₆H₈N₄)](PF₆)₂·3C₂H₃N, discrete dimers of complex cations, [Ru(tmbpy)₂­tape]²⁺, of opposite chirality are formed (tmbpy = tetra­methyl­bipyridine; tape = tetraazaperylene), held together by π–π stacking inter­actions between the tetra­aza­perylene moieties with centroid–centroid distances in the range 3.563 (3)–3.837 (3) Å. These inter­actions exhibit a parallel displaced π–π stacking mode. Additional weak C—H⋯π-ring and C—H⋯N and C—H⋯F inter­actions are found, leading to a three-dimensional architecture. The Ru^II atom is coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The counter-charge is provided by two hexa­fluorido­phosphate anions and the asymmetric unit is completed by three aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecules of crystallization. Four F atoms of one PF₆⁻ anion are disordered over three sets of sites with occupancies of 0.517 (3):0.244 (3):0.239 (3). Two aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecules are highly disordered and their estimated scattering contribution was subtracted from the observed diffraction data using the SQUEEZE option in PLATON [Spek (2009 ▶). Acta Cryst. D65, 148–155].

μ-1,6,7,12-Tetraazaperylene-κ4N1,N12:N6,N7-bis[chlorido(η6-p-cymene)ruthenium(II)] bis(hexafluoridophosphate) acetone disolvate

In the title compound, [Ru₂(C₁₀H₁₄)₂Cl₂(C₁₆H₈N₄)](PF₆)₂·2C₃H₆O, the binuclear Ru^II complex dication, [{RuCl(η⁶-cym)}₂(μ-tape)]²⁺, built up by a planar 1,6,7,12-tetra­aza­perylene (tape) bridge, two η⁶-bound cymene (cym) ligands and two chloride ligands, includes an inversion center. The Ru^II atom shows the typical piano-stool motif for arene coordination. The counter-charge is provided by a hexa­fluorido­phosphate anion and the asymmetric unit is completed by an acetone mol­ecule of crystallization. The components of the structure are connected into a three-dimensional architecture by C—H⋯O/F/Cl inter­actions.

Giant Zn14 molecular building block in hydrogen-bonded network with permanent porosity for gas uptake

In situ imidazolate-4,5-diamide-2-olate linker generation leads to the formation of a [Zn14(L2)12(O)(OH)2(H2O)4] molecular building block (MBB) with a Zn6 octahedron inscribed in a Zn8 cube. The MBBs connect by amide-amide hydrogen bonds to a 3D robust supramolecular network which can be activated for N2, CO2, CH4, and H2 gas sorption.

A supramolecular Co(ii)14-metal–organic cube in a hydrogen-bonded network and a Co(ii)–organic framework with a flexible methoxy substituent

The reaction of 4,5-dicyano-2-methoxyimidazole (L1) with Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under solvothermal conditions in DMF, a MOF, IFP-8 and a hydrogen-bonded network consisting of tetradecanuclear Co(ii)₁₄-metal–organic cube (1) are achieved.