Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, electronic structure through DFT study and fluorescence properties of a new anthracene based organic tecton

Abstract

A new organic molecule 9,10-bis((2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)anthracene (APIM) has been synthesized. Crystal structure analysis of the molecular solid reveals that CH⋯π and π⋯π interactions are the molecular packing forces in the solid state. Thermal analysis of the molecular solid shows relatively higher decomposition temperature of the crystalline molecular solid that correlates well with the cooperative nature of CH⋯π and π⋯π interactions. Density Functional Theory (DFT) optimized structure of the molecule closely correlates with that found in the crystal. DFT optimizations also lead to the similar CH⋯π and π⋯π interaction motifs that are found within the crystal. Hirshfeld surface analysis provides detailed insight into the relative importance of various weak forces in the molecular packing. Study of the fluorescence behavior of the molecules shows quenching in the presence of metal ions.