Complex Formation between a Nucleobase and Tetracyanoquinodimethane Derivatives: Crystal Structures and Transport Properties of Charge-Transfer Solids of Cytosine

Abstract

Abstract Reaction between cytosine, a nucleobase, in methanol and several 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane derivatives (R-TCNQ) in acetonitrile yielded three kinds of ionic solids; (I) insulators composed of methoxy-substituted R-TCNQ anions, (II) semiconducting fully ionic R-TCNQ radical anion salts, and (III) conductive partially ionic or mixed-valent R-TCNQ radical anion salts. Electronic and chemical structures of these products were characterized by optical and magnetic measurements, and structural and elemental analyses. Cation units in all products were found to be protonated cytosine species. Crystal structures were determined for methoxy-substituted anion salts (R = F4 and H) in Group I and R-TCNQ radical anion salts (R = H and Et2) in Group II with hemiprotonated cytosine pairs formed by triple self-complementary hydrogen bonds. They established one-dimensional hemiprotonated cytosine ribbons by double complementary hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds between cytosine and R-TCNQ anions exhibited high potential to regulate molecular arrangements producing a segregated layered structure and uniform arrangement of R-TCNQ radical anion columns stable down to low temperature. The partially ionic salt of MeTCNQ in Group III exhibited metallic behavior and the highest conductivity of 10+1 S cm−1 so far observed for charge-transfer complexes based on biological molecules.