Supramolecular association and quantification of intermolecular interactions of 4′-functionalized 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines: Experimental observation and theoretical studies

Abstract

Three versatile 4′-substituted 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine compounds (1–3) having different substitutions (4-ethoxyphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl and pyridyl) at 4′-position of the central pyridine ring have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Three representative crystal structures have been determined through single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray crystallography revels that the structures are stabilized through C–H···π and π–π stacking interactions. In the solid-state, the supramolecular assemblies of the title compounds have been explored in detail. Compounds (1) and (3) exhibits both C–H···π and π–π interactions in building supramolecular assemblies whereas compound (2) exhibit π–π interaction only. All the intermolecular interactions that are involved within the structures are quantified through Hirshfeld surface analyses. The weak noncovalent interactions that played significant role in building supramolecular assemblies are further characterized by Bader's theory of ‘atoms-in-molecules’ (AIM). Finally, the supramolecular networks are characterized by theoretical ‘Noncovalent Interaction’ (NCI) plot index.The supramolecular solid-state frameworks of three 4′-functionalized 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine derivatives have been quantified which are further characterized theoretically by the Bader's theory of ‘atoms-in-molecules’(AIM) and ‘noncovalent interaction’ (NCI) plot index.