Asymmetric Unit Research Articles

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Computational Investigation of Vanillin Azine Derivative as Potent Blocker of the N‐Terminal Ras‐Binding Domain (RBD) in Human a‐Raf Kinase

AbstractVanillin is the main component of natural vanilla extract and is responsible for its flavoring properties. Besides its well‐known applications as an additive in food and cosmetics. In this, we have synthesized a new vanillin derivative. Its structure was characterized by IR, MS, NMR and confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The asymmetric unit of the title molecule consists of two independent half molecules, each having crystallographically imposed centrosymmetry. Reticular layers approximately parallel to the bc plane are generated from one molecule through O−H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds. The layers are linked by the second molecule through O−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds to form a 3‐D network structure. We carried out density functional investigations to understand the compound‘s molecular reactivity and chemical stability. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis, global reactivity, and Fukui parameters were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d,p) method. In 20 % to 30 % of human malignancies, RAS genes are activated ontogenetically by point mutations. New strategies to block this oncogenic protein are needed since it has proven difficult to create efficient RAS inhibitors. The above‐titled compound shows better structural activity relationship studies against Ras‐binding domine, based on this molecular docking simulation as well as the drug‐likeness analysis carried out for our newly synthesized compound.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of the trigonal–bipyramidal complex tris(2-methylpyridine N-oxide-κO)bis(thiocyanato-κN)cobalt(II)

Reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 2-methylpyridine N-oxide in a 1:3 ratio in n-butanol leads to the formation of crystals of tris(2-methylpyridine N-oxide-κO)bis(thiocyanato-κN)cobalt(II), [Co(NCS)2(C6H7NO)3]. The asymmetric unit of the title compound consists of one CoII cation two thiocyanate anions and three crystallographically independent 2-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands in general positions. The CoII cations are trigonal–bipyramidally coordinated by two terminal N-bonding thiocyanate anions in the trans-positions and three 2-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands into discrete complexes. These complexes are linked by intermolecular C–H...S interactions into double chains that elongate in the c-axis direction. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements prove that all batches are always contaminated with an additional and unknown crystalline phase. Thermogravimetry and differential analysis of crystals selected by hand reveal that the title compound decomposes at about 229°C in an exothermic reaction. At about 113°C a small endothermic signal is observed that, according to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, is irreversible. PXRD measurements of the residue prove that a poorly crystalline and unknown phase has formed and thermomicroscopy indicates that some phase transition occurs that is accompanied with a color change of the title compound.

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld analysis of N-ethyl-2-{3-methyl-2-[(2Z)-pent-2-en-1-yl]cyclopent-2-en-1-ylidene}hydrazinecarbothioamide

The title compound (C14H23N3S, common name: cis-jasmone 4-ethylthiosemicarbazone) was synthesized by the equimolar reaction of cis-jasmone and 4-ethylthiosemicarbazide in ethanol facilitated by acid catalysis. There is one crystallographically independent molecule in the asymmetric unit, which shows disorder of the terminal ethyl group of the jasmone carbon chain [site-occupancy ratio = 0.911 (5):0.089 (5)]. The thiosemicarbazone entity [N—N—C(=S)—N] is approximately planar, with the maximum deviation of the mean plane through the N/N/C/S/N atoms being 0.0331 (8) Å, while the maximum deviation of the mean plane through the five-membered ring of the jasmone fragment amounts to −0.0337 (8) Å. The dihedral angle between the two planes is 4.98 (7)°. The molecule is not planar due to this structural feature and the sp 3-hybridized atoms of the jasmone carbon chain. Additionally, one H...N intramolecular interaction is observed, with graph-set motif S(5). In the crystal, the molecules are connected through pairs of H...S interactions with R 2 2(8) and R 2 1(7) graph-set motifs into centrosymmetric dimers. The dimers are further connected by H...N interactions with graph-set motif R 2 2(12), which are related by an inversion centre, forming a mono-periodic hydrogen-bonded ribbon parallel to the b-axis. The crystal structure and the supramolecular assembly of the title compound are compared with four known cis-jasmone thiosemicarbazone derivatives (two crystalline modifications of the non-substituted form, the 4-methyl and the 4-phenyl derivatives). A Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the major contributions for the crystal cohesion are from H...H (70.7%), H...S/S...H (13.5%), H...C/C...H (8.8%), and H...N/N...H (6.6%) interfaces (only the disordered atoms with the highest s.o.f. were considered for the evaluation).

Structural Analysis of 3,5-Bistrifluoromethylhydrocinnamic Acid

The crystal structure of 3,5-bistrifluoromethylhydrocinnamic acid [systematic name: 3-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propanoic acid], C11H8F6O2, has been determined and described. The structure was subject to the Hirshfeld surface-analysis and CE-B3LYP interaction-energies calculations. The title compound crystallises in the monoclinic P21/c space group with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The propanoic acid side chain of the studied molecule has a bent conformation. The key supramolecular motif in the crystal structure is a centrosymmetric O–H∙∙∙O hydrogen-bonded dimer (R22(8) in the graph set notation). According to CE-B3LYP, the molecules involved in this motif exhibit the strongest pairwise interaction total energy (Etot = −67.9 kJ/mol). On the other hand, there are seven other interacting molecular pairs with significant Etot values in the range of −17 to −28 kJ/mol. In these, the energy is dominated by the dispersive contribution. A survey of the Cambridge Structural Database revealed that in other 3-phenylpropanoic acid structures, the middle dihedral angle of the propanoic acid side chain is always in the trans conformation. This contrasts the current structure where this dihedral angle is in the gauche conformation. According to the Density Functional Theory calculations in the gas phase (at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pvDZ level), the presence of the two CF3 groups (strong electron-withdrawing character) increases the population of the gauche conformers by a substituent electronic effect, and this may be a minor factor contributing to the appearance of this conformation observed in the solid state.

Molten salt shielding synthesis of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped La9W6O30Cl phosphors for optical temperature sensing

Oxychloride phosphors that contain active ions coordinated with both oxygen and chloride ions have garnered significant attention, but the application of oxychloride phosphors is yet limited because of their demanding synthesis condition of vacuum or reducing atmosphere. Herein, we synthesize a new serial oxychlorides of La9W6O30Cl (LWOC) and Er3+/Yb3+, Ho3+/Yb3+, Tm3+/Yb3+ doped LWOC through molten salt shielding method (MSS) in air, which is more efficient compared to the traditional method in vacuum. The compound of LWOC crystallizes in the tetragonal system space group P42/nmc (No. 137) with cell parameters a = b = 10.0445(1) Å, c = 12.6826(4) Å, V = 1279.57(5) Å3 and Z = 11. The asymmetric unit of LWOC includes three La atoms, one unique W atom, two disordered W atoms with occupancy factors of 0.16(5) and 0.84(5), respectively, one Cl atom and six O atoms. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser, all the Er3+/Yb3+, Ho3+/Yb3+ and Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped LWOC phosphors have excellent upconversion (UC) luminescence with bright visible light emission. A fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) type temperature sensor is developed by using LWOC: Er3+, Yb3+ phosphor as sensing media, which has a maximum relative temperature sensitivity (Sr) of 0.90 % K−1 at 300 K.

Light-Induced, Structural Matrix Guided Stepwise Spin-State Switching in 3d-5d Molecular Assembly.

A new iron(II) molecular complex {[W(CN)8][Fe(bik*)3]2}BF4·7H2O·1.5CH3OH (1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH) was synthesized using a versatile octacyanotungstate(V) building block and N-donor bidentate ligand (bik* = bis(1-ethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)ketone) and detailed characterizations were carried out. The crystal structure of 1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH is composed of an ionic salt from one anionic [W(CN)8]3- unit, two isolated cationic [Fe(bik*)3]2+ units, and one BF4- counteranion in the asymmetric unit. Magnetic studies of 1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH display interesting two-step reversible thermo-induced spin-state switching and the partially desolvated form 1.7H2O shows a photomagnetic effect at low temperatures. Additionally, the physical properties of 1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH were compared with the monomeric unit of {[Fe(bik*)3]2}·4ReO4·H2O (2.H2O) and detailed photophysical investigations were also performed to study the effect of a structural matrix {[W(CN)8]3- and ReO4- unit} on the spin-state switching properties of the [Fe(bik*)3]2+ unit in both systems (1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH and 2.H2O).

4-Carboxyanilinium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, an organophosphate adducts of 4-amino benzoic acid: Structural, vibrational, thermal, and computational studies

4-Carboxyanilinium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (4-CAH2PO4·H2O), an organophosphate adduct, was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and computational analysis performed using CrystalExplorer 21, Gaussian 09W and Multiwfn 3.7 software. The complex 4-CAH2PO4·H2O crystallized in the triclinic space group, P-1, with two molecules each of 4-carboxyanilinium (4-CA) cations, H2PO4– anions, and water, respectively, in an asymmetric unit. Crystal data for C7H12NO7P: triclinic, space group P-1, a = 8.5238(2) Å, b = 8.9068(2) Å, c = 14.4976(4) Å, α = 106.456(2)°, β = 90.195(2)°, γ = 92.811(2)°, V = 1054.13(5) Å3, Z = 4, T = 293 K, μ(Cu Kα) = 2.587 mm-1, Dcalc = 1.595 g/cm3, 18182 reflections measured (6.358° ≤ 2Θ ≤ 146.396°), 4149 unique (Rint = 0.1018, Rsigma = 0.0521) which were used in all calculations. The final R1 was 0.0584 (I > 2σ(I)) and wR2 was 0.1712 (all data). The organic layer containing 4-CA cations and the inorganic layer containing phosphate anions and water molecules in 4-CAH2PO4·H2O crystals are connected through a three-dimensional network of strong charge-assisted N–H···O and C-OH···O hydrogen bonds. The fingerprint plot of 4-CAH2PO4·H2O obtained indicated that the most prominent interaction corresponds to the short O···H contact, followed by the H···H and H···C contacts. The intermolecular interaction topology of 4-CAH2PO4·H2O has been quantitatively analyzed. The 4-CAH2PO4·H2O complex was optimized by density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP/6-31G basis set and the theoretical IR vibrational spectra determined. The noncovalent interaction (NCI) and quantum theory of the atom in the molecule (QTAIM) analysis were done using Multiwfn 3.7 software. 4-CAH2PO4·H2O complex structure and its computational analysis are also compared with that of 4-carboxyanilinium dihydrogen phosphate (4-CAH2PO4).

Structural Study of N-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-Halobenzenesulfonylhydrazides: Hirshfeld Surface Analysis and PIXEL Calculations

Hydrazonylsulfones such as Bt-NHNHSO2R and their iminotautomers have been studied as optical materials and for their biological potential. In this work, a structural study has been carried out on N-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-(halogenobenzenesulfonyl)-hydrazides (1: X = F, Cl, Br). For (1: X = F), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and PIXEL calculations were conducted, while in (1: X = Cl) and (1: X = Br), only single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies were successfully conducted due to the disordering of the solvent. Each compound crystallises with two independent but similar amino tautomers in the asymmetric units: compound (1: X = F) crystallises in the monoclinic P21/c, and the isostructural pair (X: 1 = Cl and Br) crystallises in the tetragonal P-421c space group. In the most stable motif of the supramolecular arrangement, the molecules of the asymmetric unit are connected by classical N–H(hydrazinyl)···N(thiazoyl) hydrogen bonds and several face-to-face, offset π···π interactions. This motif has a very powerful influence on the crystal structure due to its direct links with the other weaker motifs. Other significant intermolecular interactions found in the structure include N–H(hydrazonyl)···O(sulfonate) bonds. Analogous intermolecular interactions were found in similar compounds, leading to the conclusion that those interactions are the most important instabilizing the solid state of hydrazonylsulfones.

Synthesis and crystal structure of tetra-methyl (E)-4,4'-(ethene-1,2-di-yl)bis-(5-nitro-benzene-1,2-di-carboxyl-ate).

The title compound, C22H18N2O12, was obtained as a by-product during the planned synthesis of 1,2-bis-(2-nitro-4,5-dimethyl phthalate)ethane by oxidative dimerization starting from dimethyl-4-methyl-5-nitro phthalate. To identify this compound unambiguously, a single-crystal structure analysis was performed. The asymmetric unit consists of half a mol-ecule that is located at a centre of inversion. As a result of symmetry restrictions, the mol-ecule shows an E configuration around the double bond. Both phenyl rings are coplanar, whereas the nitro and the two methyl ester groups are rotated out of the ring plane by 32.6 (1), 56.5 (2) and 49.5 (2)°, respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected into chains extending parallel to the a axis by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds that are connected into a tri-periodic network by additional C-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

Synthesis, characterization and supra-molecular analysis for (E)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)acrylic acid.

The title compound, C8H7NO2, crystallizes as prismatic colourless crystals in space group P , with one mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit. The pyridine ring is fused to acrylic acid, forming an almost planar structure with an E-configuration about the double bond with a torsion angle of -6.1 (2)°. In the crystal, strong O-H⋯N inter-actions link the mol-ecules, forming chains along the [101] direction. Weak C-H⋯O inter-actions link adjacent chains along the [100] direction, generating an R 2 2(14) homosynthon. Finally, π-π stacking inter-actions lead to the formation of the three-dimensional structure. The supra-molecular analysis was supported by Hirshfeld surface and two-dimensional fingerprint plot analysis, indicating that the most abundant contacts are associated with H⋯H, O⋯H/H⋯O, N⋯H/H⋯N and C⋯H/H⋯C inter-actions.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 8-benzyl-1-[(4-methyl-phen-yl)sulfon-yl]-2,7,8,9-tetra-hydro-1H-3,6:10,13-diep-oxy-1,8-benzodi-aza-cyclo-penta-decine ethanol hemisolvate.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, 2C31H28N2O4S·C2H6O, contains a parent mol-ecule and a half mol-ecule of ethanol solvent. The main compound stabilizes its mol-ecular conformation by forming a ring with an R 1 2(7) motif with the ethanol solvent mol-ecule. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected by C-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. In addition, C-H⋯π inter-actions also strengthen the mol-ecular packing.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic behaviors of phenoxo-bridged manganese compounds based on tetradentate Schiff bases

Six Mn(II)/Mn(III) coordination compounds with tetradentate Schiff bases, [Mn(L1)(N3)]2 (1), [Mn(L2)(N3)]2 (2), [Mn(L1)(SCN)]2 (3), [Mn(L2)(SCN)]2[Mn(L2)(SCN)(C2H5OH)]2 (4), [Mn(L1)(CH3OH)]2 (5), and [Mn3(L2)2(CH3COO)2] (6) [H2L1 = N,N'-bis(5-chloro-salicylaidimine)-1,2-diaminop-ropane), H2L2 = N,N'-bis(5-chloro-salicylaidimine)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diami- ne], were structurally and magnetically characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurement. Structural analysis reveals that each manganese center displays a typical Jahn-Teller distortion. Compounds 1, 2, 3 and 5 are binuclear systems in which two central manganese atoms are connected by di-u2-phenoxo-bridging from two inverse tetradentate ligands. The asymmetric unit of compound 4 contains two moieties, which is composed of a dimeric unit [Mn(L1)(SCN)]2 and two monomeric units [Mn(L1)(SCN)(C2H5OH)]. Compound 6 is a linear homo-trinuclear structure. Dc variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show that compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 exhibit paramagnetic behaviors with J = +0.202 cm−1 for 1, J = +0.203 cm−1 for 2, J = +1.03 cm−1 for 4 and + 0.152 cm−1 for 5, respectively, whereas compounds 3 and 6 show a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the high-spin metal centers. In addition, we investigated the relationship between the structures and magnetic behaviour.

Synthesis, structural characterization of supramolecular cocrystals of bis(3-hydroxy-1-methylpyridin-1-ium iodide)-18-crown-6

Abstract A new supramolecular cocrystal of bis(3-hydroxy-1-methylpyridin-1-ium iodide)-18-crown-6 (I) has been synthesized successfully from 3-hydroxypyridine, methyl iodide and 18-crown-6 (18C6). The cocrystal was characterized by FT-IR, UV-DRS and PL spectroscopy, single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, SEM and EDS analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The bulk phase purity of the compound is confirmed by powder XRD analysis, whereas single-crystal XRD confirms that it packs in a monoclinic system with centrosymmetric space group (P21/c). Single crystal XRD shows that the asymmetric unit is C6H12O3, [C6H8NO]+[I]¯. The presence of C–H⋯O, C–H⋯I and O–H⋯I intermolecular contacts helps to achieve crystal cohesion. The direct band gap energy has been estimated to be 3.21 eV using diffuse reflectance spectral measurements. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to determine the compound’s thermal behaviour concerning temperature. EDS and SEM investigations were used to examine the elemental composition and surface morphology of the compound.

Surface structure determination by exhaustive search of asymmetric unit

Surface structure determination by exhaustive search of asymmetric unit

Theoretical Investigation of Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of Cs3MoO4(HCO3) with NLO Active Functional Units

AbstractEmploying functional building units with microscopic second‐order NLO response has been proposed to explore high performance NLO materials. Herein, structural, electronic and optical properties of non‐centrosymmetric molybdenyl carbonate Cs3MoO4(HCO3) with NLO active functional units have been examined based on density functional theory. Theoretical results are consistent with experimentally mentioned data, confirming the reliable method. Detailed geometric structure, electronic attributes, linear optical properties, and nonlinear optical properties of Cs3MoO4(HCO3) are provided. Analysis of structures, compositions of bands and plots of charge density suggest that asymmetric functional building units [MoO4] and [HCO3] exhibit varying degrees of second‐order Jahn‐Teller distortions, and therefore have a significant impact on the electronic structure and optical properties of Cs3MoO4(HCO3). Maximum absolute value of SHG coefficients at 1064 nm is 0.671 pm/V for d15, which is nearly twice as much as that of KDP. Further researches are needed in future to validate and enhance optical anisotropy characteristic of Cs3MoO4(HCO3) for satisfying the phase matching conditions. Analysis results indicate that microscopic origins of SHG response in Cs3MoO4(HCO3) are complicated, such as geometric environment, induced polar asymmetric functional building units, and electronic properties. Continuous research on structure‐property relationship of NLO materials is needed for exploring more competitive NLO materials.

An investigation of novel biodegradable flexible copolyester derived from bio-based isosorbide: Synthesis and characterization of poly(butylene-co-isosorbide sebacate)

A series of fully bio-based poly(butylene-co-isosorbide sebacate) (PBISe) copolyesters are synthesized from sebacic acid (Se), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and isosorbide (IS) via a two-step melt polycondensation method. The synthesized PBISe copolyesters are characterized using various techniques, including 1H NMR spectroscopy; GPC; FT-IR spectroscopy; HR-XRD; DSC; TGA; transparency, tensile, and tear strength testing; and rheological property analysis. The Mw and Mn values of the PBISe copolyesters are 126,000–148,000 and 50,000–63,500, respectively. The introduction of the rigid, bulky, and asymmetric IS unit disrupts the regularity and mobility of the polymer chain, resulting in a nearly linear reduction of the melting temperature, enthalpy, and crystallinity, from 66 to 42 °C, 81 to 37 J/g, and 41.4 to 19.0%, respectively, with an increase in the IS content from 0 to 30 mol% relative to the total diol concentration. The reduction of crystallinity without the formation of new crystal planes with the poly(butylene sebacate (PBSe) copolyester containing 30 mol% IS resulted in improved transparency (73.8% transmittance at 600 nm). Additionally, the PBISe copolyesters exhibit Tonset and Tmax in excess of 405 °C and 425 °C, respectively, as well as shear-thinning and viscous melt-flow behaviors, making them suitable for melt processing. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the hot-pressed films of the IS-added PBISe copolyesters with ≤16% content are 31.6–36.3 MPa and 639.2–809.9%, respectively. The developed PBISe copolyesters have great potential as bio-based, biodegradable, and flexible materials for packaging and coating applications with low processing temperatures.

Supramolecular Interactions of Teixobactin Analogues in the Crystal State.

This Note presents the X-ray crystallographic structure of the N-methylated teixobactin analogue N-Me-d-Gln4,Lys10-teixobactin (1). Eight peptide molecules comprise the asymmetric unit, with each peptide molecule binding a chloride anion through hydrogen bonding with the amide NH group of residues 7, 8, 10, and 11. The peptide molecules form hydrogen-bonded antiparallel β-sheet dimers in the crystal lattice, with residues 1-3 comprising the dimerization interface. The dimers further assemble end-to-end in the crystal lattice.

Trans-Di-bromido-tetra-kis-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-κN2)manganese(II).

The title compound, trans-di-bromido-tetra-kis-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-κN 2)manganese(II), [MnBr2(C4H6N2)4] or [Mn(3-MePzH)4Br2] (1) crystallizes in the triclinic P space group with the cell parameters a = 7.6288 (3), b = 8.7530 (4), c = 9.3794 (4) Å and α = 90.707 (4), β = 106.138 (4), γ = 114.285 (5)°, V = 542.62 (5) Å3, T = 120 K. The asymmetric unit contains only half the mol-ecule with the manganese atom is situated on a crystallographic inversion center. The 3-MePzH ligands are present in an AABB type manner with two methyl groups pointing up and the other two down. The supra-molecular architecture is characterized by several inter-molecular C-H⋯N, N-H⋯Br, and C-H⋯π inter-actions. Earlier, a polymorphic structure of [Mn(3-MePzH)4Br2] (2) with a similar geometry and also an AABB arrangement for the pyrazole ligands was described [Reedijk et al. (1971 ▸). Inorg. Chem. 10, 2594-2599; a = 8.802 (6), b = 9.695 (5), c = 7.613 (8) Å and α = 105.12 (4), β = 114.98 (4), γ = 92.90 (3)°, V = 558.826 (5) Å3, T = 295 K]. A varying supra-molecular pattern was reported, with the structure of 1 featuring a herringbone type pattern while that of structure 2 shows a pillared network type of arrangement along the a axis. A nickel complex [Ni(3-MePzH)4Br2] isomorphic to 1 and the analogous chloro derivatives of FeII, CoII and CuII are also known.

Selective Detection of Primary Aromatic Amines through Enhanced Luminescence of a 2D + 2D Inclined Polycatenated Microporous Nitro-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework.

Detection and sensing of amines through enhanced fluorescence emission are always challenging in aqueous solution. The range of different Lewis basicities, shapes, and sizes as well as the different structural arrangements of amines is responsible for their less specificity in aqueous solution. Here, we have designed a highly fluorescent emissive 2D + 2D → 3D inclined polycatenated NO2-functionalized flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) for selective segregation of electron-rich aromatic primary amines from electron-deficient amines in aqueous solution, showing different emission behaviors. The inclined polycatenated 2D + 2D → 3D MOF having an asymmetric unit {[Cd(dim)(2-nta)(H2O)](H2O)(MeOH)}n (1) has been synthesized by a slow diffusion process and characterized thoroughly by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) as well as other physicochemical methods. The desolvated species of 1 (Ref. MOF) is found to be stable and has been characterized by PXRD and adsorption study. The fluorescence profile of the Ref. MOF shows selective enhancement in the presence of electron-rich primary aromatic amines, while the same shows quenching for electron-deficient amines in aqueous solution. The Ref. MOF reported here consists of flexible space between two 2D layers that is responsible for different orientations for different analyte primary aromatic amines (PAAs) with different sizes. The above findings are also supported by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The respective fluorescence enhancement and quenching have been explained by the interaction between the CB of the host MOF and LUMO of guest amines. Therefore, this work presents an operable method for the sensing of PAAs using a single compound, which is a polycatenated MOF.

Encoding ordered structural complexity to covalent organic frameworks

Installing different chemical entities onto crystalline frameworks with well-defined spatial distributions represents a viable approach to achieve ordered and complex synthetic materials. Herein, a covalent organic framework (COF-305) is constructed from tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)methane and 2,3-dimethoxyterephthalaldehyde, which has the largest unit cell and asymmetric unit among known COFs. The ordered complexity of COF-305 is embodied by nine different stereoisomers of its constituents showing specific sequences on topologically equivalent sites, which can be attributed to its building blocks deviating from their intrinsically preferred simple packing geometries in their molecular crystals to adapt to the framework formation. The insight provided by COF-305 supplements the principle of covalent reticular design from the perspective of non-covalent interactions and opens opportunities for pursuing complex chemical sequences in molecular frameworks.