Intramolecular Hydrogen Bond Modulated the Formation of Exciplex for Highly Efficient Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Although exciplexes with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) properties have been applied in high-efficiency organic electroluminescent devices, the development of exciplexes has been hindered due to the limited material systems and unclear formation mechanisms. Inspired by the unusual exciplex emission discovered in the pyridine solution of 2,12-di-tert-butyl-5,9-dithia-13b-boranaphtho[3,2,1-de]anthracene (TSBA) in this work, the formation mechanism of exciplexes based on two groups of pyridine-based derivative isomeric acceptors 26DCzPPy, 35DCzPPy and B2PyPB, B3PyPB and B4PyPB was explored accordingly. The difference in the position of the substituted pyridine in the isomeric acceptors can effectively regulate the formation of intramolecular N···H hydrogen bonds, which further affects their interaction with the electron-donating unit in TSBA through a conformational locking effect-induced topological rigidification of the molecule, ultimately determining the formation of the exciplex. Based on this mechanism, 35DCzPPy, B3PyPB and B4PyPB acceptors, combined with the TSBA donor, display TADF exciplex emission as expected. Among these, 35DCzPPy:TSBA shows the excellent TADF property with a high photoluminescent quantum yield reaching 78%, and the corresponding device achieves a high external quantum efficiency of 18.72% along with a small efficiency roll-off. An in-depth investigation into the influence mechanisms of intramolecular interactions on exciplex construction in this work will provide crucial theoretical guidance and design strategies for developing novel, highly efficient exciplex materials.

Electrostatic Surface Potentials and Chalcogen-Bonding Motifs of Substituted 2,1,3-Benzoselenadiazoles Probed via 77Se Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

Chalcogen bonds (ChB) are moderately strong, directional, and specific non-covalent interactions that have garnered substantial interest over the last decades. Specifically, the presence of two σ-holes offers great potential for crystal engineering, catalysis, biochemistry, and molecular sensing. However, ChB applications are currently hampered by a lack of methods to characterize and control chalcogen bonds. Here, we report on the influence of various substituents (halogens, cyano, and methyl groups) on the observed self-complementary ChB networks of 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazoles. From molecular electrostatic potential calculations, we show that the electrostatic surface potentials (ESP) of the σ-holes on selenium are largely influenced by the electron-withdrawing character of these substituents. Structural analyses via X-ray diffraction reveal a variety of ChB geometries and binding modes that are rationalized via the computed ESP maps, although the structure of 5,6-dimethyl-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole also demonstrates the influence of steric interactions. 77Se solid-state magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, in particular the analysis of the selenium chemical shift tensors, is found to be an effective probe able to characterize both structural and electrostatic features of these self-complementary ChB systems. We find a positive correlation between the value of the ESP maxima at the σ-holes and the experimentally measured 77Se isotropic chemical shift, while the skew of the chemical shift tensor is established as a metric which is reflective of the ChB binding motif.

The Magic Methyl and Its Tricks in Drug Discovery and Development

One of the key scientific aspects of small-molecule drug discovery and development is the analysis of the relationship between its chemical structure and biological activity. Understanding the effects that lead to significant changes in biological activity is of paramount importance for the rational design and optimization of bioactive molecules. The "methylation effect", or the "magic methyl" effect, is a factor that stands out due to the number of examples that demonstrate profound changes in either pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic properties. In many cases, this has been carried out rationally, but in others it has been the product of serendipitous observations. This paper summarizes recent examples that provide an overview of the current state of the art and contribute to a better understanding of the methylation effect in bioactive small-molecule drug candidates.

Supramolecular Self-Assembly Mediated by Multiple Hydrogen Bonds and the Importance of C-S···N Chalcogen Bonds in N'-(Adamantan-2-ylidene)hydrazide Derivatives

The present article comprehensively examines six N'-(adamantan-2-ylidene)hydrazide derivatives using the Hirshfeld surface analysis, PIXEL energy for molecular dimers, lattice energies for crystal packing, and topological analysis for intramolecular and intermolecular interactions. The crystal structure of one of the N'-(adamantan-2-ylidene)hydrazide derivatives, namely, N'-(adamantan-2-ylidene)-5-bromothiophene-2-carbohydrazide 1, C15H17N2OSBr, has been determined and analyzed in detail along with five closely related structures. The molecular conformation of 1 is locked by an intramolecular C-S···N chalcogen bond as found in one of its closely related structure, namely, N'-(adamantan-2-ylidene)thiophene-2-carbohydrazide. Furthermore, a detailed potential energy surface scan analysis has been performed to highlight the importance of a chalcogen bond. Two of these compounds possess syn-orientation for amide units, whereas the corresponding moiety exhibits anti-conformations in the remaining four structures. The Hirshfeld surface and its decomposed fingerprint plots provide a qualitative picture of acyl substituent effects on the intermolecular interactions toward crystal packing of these six structures. Intermolecular interaction energies for dimers observed in these structures calculated by density functional theory (B97D3/def2-TZVP) and PIXEL (MP2/6-31G**) methods are comparable. This study also identifies that multiple hydrogen bonds, including N/C-H···O/N and C-H···π interactions, are collectively responsible for a self-assembled synthon. The nature and strength of these interactions have been studied using atoms in molecule topological analysis. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of compound 1 was assessed against five human tumor cell lines and showed marked antiproliferative activity.

The solid state VCD of a novel N-acylhydrazone trifluoroacetate

A novel N-acylhydrazone with pharmaceutical importance was subject of structural and IR/VCD investigations in the solid state. In the crystal structure, dimers of anion-cation pairs are stabilized by H-bonding and ionic interactions. Some less common interaction types, like C=N···C-NH₃⁺ (σ-hole) interactions, hydrazone-aromatic interactions and dispersive contacts of the CF₃ groups are also present in the crystal. Satisfactory reproduction of the solid state IR and VCD spectra required that quantum-chemical calculations be done on a tetramer (four cation-anion pairs) cut out from the crystal structure, exhibiting key intermolecular interactions. Ten DFT functionals were assessed as to the agreement between the calculated and experimental spectra. Various approaches to scaling of the calculated frequencies were applied. The best results were yielded with individual (optimized) frequency scaling factors (FSFs) and band half-widths at half maximum-(HWHM) for four separate spectral subregions. The best matching between the experimental and theoretical spectra (according to SimIR, SimVCD and SimVDF indices) was found for the B3PW91 functional, however, a few other functionals follow closely in the ranking. Based on the quantum chemical calculations, spectral assignments have been made.

Effect of S-Se Bioisosteric Exchange on Affinity and Intrinsic Efficacy of Novel N-acylhydrazone Derivatives at the Adenosine A2A Receptor

In this work, we evaluated the conformational effect promoted by the isosteric exchange of sulfur by selenium in the heteroaromatic ring of new N-acylhydrazone (NAH) derivatives (3-8, 13, 14), analogues of the cardioactive compounds LASSBio-294 (1) and LASSBio-785 (2). NMR spectra analysis demonstrated a chemical shift variation of the iminic Csp2 of NAH S/Se-isosters, suggesting a stronger intramolecular chalcogen interaction for Se-derivatives. To investigate the pharmacological profile of these compounds at the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), we performed a previously validated functional binding assay. As expected for bioisosteres, the isosteric-S/Se replacement affected neither the affinity nor the intrinsic efficacy of our NAH derivatives (1-8). However, the N-methylated compounds (2, 6-8) presented a weak partial agonist profile at A2AR, contrary to the non-methylated counterparts (1, 3-5), which appeared as weak inverse agonists. Additionally, retroisosterism between aromatic rings of NAH on S/Se-isosters mimicked the effect of the N-methylation on intrinsic efficacy at A2AR, while meta-substitution in the phenyl ring of the acyl moiety did not. This study showed that the conformational effect of NAH-N-methylation and aromatic rings retroisosterism changed the intrinsic efficacy on A2AR, indicating the S/Se-chalcogen effect to drive the conformational behavior of this series of NAH.

Participation of S and Se in hydrogen and chalcogen bonds

The heavier chalcogen atoms S, Se, and Te can each participate in a range of different noncovalent interactions. They can serve as both proton donor and acceptor in H-bonds. Each atom can also act as electron acceptor in a chalcogen bond.

Exploiting the role of stereoelectronic effects to design the antagonists of the human complement C3a receptor

Stereoelectronic effects are crucial in governing the conformational behaviour of small molecules bearing heterocyclic rings adjacent to amides.

Mechanochemical Preparation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Monitored by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy

The mechanochemical preparation of silver sulfadiazine and dantrolene, two marketed active pharmaceutical ingredients, was investigated by in situ Raman spectroscopy. For the first time, the mechanochemical transformations involving highly fluorescent compounds could be studied in situ with a high-resolution Raman system combined with a unique suitable Raman probe. Moreover, the kinetic features of the mechanochemical process were examined by a mathematical model allowing to describe the chemical changes under mechanical stress. This approach is promising both to broaden the scope of Raman in situ investigations that would otherwise be impossible and for process optimization at any scale.

Sagrillo F, R. Freitas MC, A. Alves M, Thota S, Tinoco LW, Magalhães A, Sant’Anna CMR, Fraga CAM. Structure–property relationship studies of 3-acyl-substituted furans: the serendipitous identification and characterization of a new non-classical hydrogen bond donor moiety

A serendipitous identification and characterization of a new non-classical hydrogen bond donor moiety found in N-acylhydrazones containing 3-acyl-substituted furan subunit is presented.

Effects of Halogen, Chalcogen, Pnicogen, and Tetrel Bonds on IR and NMR Spectra

Complexes were formed pairing FX, FHY, FH2Z, and FH3T (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = S, Se, Te; Z = P, As, Sb; T = Si, Ge, Sn) with NH3 in order to form an A⋯N noncovalent bond, where A refers to the central atom. Geometries, energetics, atomic charges, and spectroscopic characteristics of these complexes were evaluated via DFT calculations. In all cases, the A-F bond, which is located opposite the base and is responsible for the σ-hole on the A atom, elongates and its stretching frequency undergoes a shift to the red. This shift varies from 42 to 175 cm-1 and is largest for the halogen bonds, followed by chalcogen, tetrel, and then pnicogen. The shift also decreases as the central A atom is enlarged. The NMR chemical shielding of the A atom is increased while that of the F and electron donor N atom are lowered. Unlike the IR frequency shifts, it is the third-row A atoms that undergo the largest change in NMR shielding. The change in shielding of A is highly variable, ranging from negligible for FSnH3 all the way up to 1675 ppm for FBr, while those of the F atom lie in the 55-422 ppm range. Although smaller in magnitude, the changes in the N shielding are still easily detectable, between 7 and 27 ppm.

Design, Synthesis, Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of a New Multitarget 2-Thienyl-N-Acylhydrazone Derivative

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic cardiovascular disease that displays inflammatory components, which contributes to the difficulty of adequate treatment with the available therapeutic arsenal. In this context, the N-acylhydrazone derivative LASSBio-1359 was previously described as a multitarget drug candidate able to revert the events associated with the progression of PAH in animal models. However, in spite of having a dual profile as PDE4 inhibitor and adenosine A_2A receptor agonist, LASSBio-1359 does not present balanced potencies in the modulation of these two targets, which difficult its therapeutic use. In this paper, we describe the design concept of LASSBio-1835, a novel structural analogue of LASSBio-1359, planned by exploiting ring bioisosterism. Using X-ray powder diffraction, calorimetric techniques, and molecular modeling, we clearly indicate the presence of a preferred synperiplanar conformation at the amide function, which is fixed by an intramolecular 1,5-N∙∙∙S σ-hole intramolecular interaction. Moreover, the evaluation of LASSBio-1835 (4) as a PDE4 inhibitor and as an A_2A agonist confirms it presents a more balanced dual profile, being considered a promising prototype for the treatment of PAH.