Supramolecular Architectures Incorporating Hydrogen-Bonding Barbiturate Receptors

Covalently Modified MoS2 Bearing a Hamilton-Type Receptor for Recognizing a Redox-Active Ferrocene-Barbiturate Guest via Multiple H-Bonds

The covalent modification of the metallic phase of MoS2 with a Hamilton-type ligand is presented, transforming MoS2 to a recognition platform which is able to embrace barbiturate moieties via hydrogen bonding. The successful hydrogen bonding formation is easily monitored by simple electrochemical assessments, if a ferrocene-labeled barbiturate analogue is utilized as a proof of concept. Full spectroscopic, thermal, and electron microscopy imaging characterization is provided for the newly formed recognition system, along with valuable insights concerning the electrochemical sensing. The given methodology expands beyond the sensing applications, confidently entering the territory of supramolecular interactions on the surface of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. The well-designed host-guest chemistry presented herein, constitutes a guide and an inspiration for hosting customized-structured functional building blocks on MoS2 and its relatives via hydrogen bonding, opening up new opportunities regarding potential applications.

A new supramolecular bonding motif involving NH bonds of ammonium salts and macrocycles derived from platinum corners and butadiynediyl linkers

The title Pt4C16 species can give roughly planar geometries in crystals, but afford folded forms with ammonium cations, which are captured like unsuspecting prey and potentially fossilized as with the ancient creatures who once roamed the galaxy.

Crystal Structure and Theoretical Investigation of Thiobarbituric Acid Derivatives as Nonlinear Optical (NLO) Materials

Here we report on the crystal structure of three enamine/imine TBA derivatives (1–3). Since the derivatives can take the form of enamine or imine tautomers, theoretical calculations were made to confirm that the former predominates due to higher stability (thermodynamic calculations). The enamines’ form was further corroborated by high activation energy (ΔG≠; which is >60 kcal/mol in all the cases), thus requiring a large amount of energy to pass the barrier (kinetics calculations). Furthermore, 1–3 were found to show high static hyperpolarizability (βtot), thereby making them potential candidates as nonlinear materials for electro-optical devices and crystal engineering.

Hydrogen-bonded mesomorphic complexes combining hydrophilic and fluorophilic molecular segments

A 2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine carrying a single oligo(ethylene oxide) (EO) chain has been investigated in binary mixtures with two-chain and three-chain semiperfluorinated benzoic acids. Mixtures of the triazine with three equivalents of the complementary acids exhibit a hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase. Docking of three acid molecules to the diaminotriazine nucleus leads to the formation of disc-like aggregates with a central hydrogen-bonded polar core surrounded by the peripheral fluoroalkyl chains, which self-assemble in columns arranged on a hexagonal lattice. The polar EO chains at the triazine cores do not segregate into a distinct sub-space but are included into the polar cores, providing increased flexibility of the cores with respect to conformations and available hydrogen bonding sites. In equimolar (1 : 1) triazine/benzoic acid mixtures macroscopic phase separation of excess triazine from the columnar LC phases occurs. These Col_h phases are formed by [1 : 3] or [2 : 4] complexes, depending on the number of fluorinated chains. However, some of the excess triazine component is accommodated within the polar column cores, contributing to space filling and providing additional hydrogen bonding along the columns. Thus the EO chain, despite of being fixed at the periphery, assemble in the core region of the aggregates, this is distinct from the self-assembly of related alkyl or semiperfluoroalkyl substituted diaminotriazines with fluorinated benzoic acids, forming discrete disc-like [1 : 3] or rod-like [1 : 1] complexes. Obviously, the flexible EO chains decrease the effect of the aggregate shape on self-assembly and lead to an increased contribution of general amphiphilicity to self-assembly.

Versatile control of the submolecular motion of di(acylamino)pyridine-based [2]rotaxanes

A cyclic network of chemical reactions has been conceived for exchanging the dynamic behaviour of di(acylamino)pyridine-based rotaxanes and surrogates. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the intercomponent interactions in these interlocked compounds and were consistent with those found in solution by dynamic NMR experiments. This particular binding site was incorporated into a molecular shuttle enabled for accessing two states with an outstanding positional discrimination through chemical manipulation. Furthermore, the ability of the di(acylamino)pyridine domain to associate with external binders with a complementary array of HB donor and acceptor sites was exploited for the advance of an unprecedented electrochemical switch operating through a reversible anion radical recognition process.