4-[(E)-2-(1-Pyrenyl)Vinyl]Pyridine Complexes: How to Modulate the Toxicity of Heavy Metal Ions to Target Microbial Infections

Pyrene derivatives are regularly proposed for use in biochemistry as dyes due to their photochemical characteristics. Their antibacterial properties are, however, much less well understood. New complexes based on 4-[(E)-2-(1-pyrenyl)vinyl]pyridine (PyPe) have been synthesized with metal ions that are known to possess antimicrobial properties, such as zinc(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II). The metal ion salts, free ligand, combinations thereof, and the coordination compounds themselves were tested for their antibacterial properties through microdilution assays. We found that the ligand is able to modulate the antibacterial properties of transition metal ions, depending on the complex stability, the distance between the ligand and the metal ions, and the metal ions themselves. The coordination by the ligand weakened the antibacterial properties of heavy metal ions (Cd(II), Hg(II), Bi(III)), allowing the bacteria to survive higher concentrations thereof. Mixing the ligand and the metal ion salts without forming the complex beforehand enhanced the antibacterial properties of the cations. Being non-cytotoxic itself, the ligand therefore balances the biological consequences of heavy metal ions between toxicity and therapeutic weapons, depending on its use as a coordinating ligand or simple adjuvant.

Catalytic CO2 Reduction with Heptacoordinated Polypyridine Complexes: Switching the Selectivity via Metal Replacement

The discovery of molecular catalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) in the presence of water, which are both effective and selective towards the generation of carbon-based products, is a critical task. Herein we report the catalytic activity towards the CO2 RR in acetonitrile/water mixtures by a cobalt complex and its iron analog both featuring the same redox-active ligand and an unusual seven-coordination environment. Bulk electrolysis experiments show that the cobalt complex mainly yields formate (52 % selectivity at an applied potential of -2.0 V vs Fc+ /Fc and 1 % H2 O) or H2 (up to 86 % selectivity at higher applied bias and water content), while the iron complex always delivers CO as the major product (selectivity >74 %). The different catalytic behavior is further confirmed under photochemical conditions with the [Ru(bpy)3 ]2+ sensitizer (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine as electron donor, where the cobalt complex leads to preferential H2 formation (up to 89 % selectivity), while the iron analog quantitatively generates CO (up to 88 % selectivity). This is ascribed to a preference towards a metal-hydride vs. a metal-carboxyl pathway for the cobalt and the iron complex, respectively, and highlights how metal replacement may effectively impact on the reactivity of transition metal complexes towards solar fuel formation.

(E)-N,N-Diethyl-4-{[(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)imino]-meth-yl}aniline: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and energy framework

In the title benzyl-ideneaniline Schiff base, C18H22N2O, the aromatic rings are inclined to each other by 46.01 (6)°, while the Car-N= C-Car torsion angle is 176.9 (1)°. In the crystal, the only identifiable directional inter-action is a weak C-H⋯π hydrogen bond, which generates inversion dimers that stack along the a-axis direction.

The synthesis and crystal structure of (E)-2-{[(4-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]amino}-4-methylphenol: Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT calculations and anticorrosion studies

The title Schiff base compound, (E)-2-{[(4-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]amino}-4-methylphenol, C₁₉H₁₇NO₂ (I), was synthesized via the reaction of 2-amino-4-methylphenol with 4-methoxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde. The structure of I was characterized by NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies in different solvents. The interatomic contacts in the crystal structure were explored using Hirshfeld surface analysis, which, together with the two-dimensional fingerprint plots, confirm the predominance of dispersion forces in the crystal structure. The molecule of I has a twisted conformation, with the mean plane of the naphthalene ring system being inclined to the plane of the phenol ring by 33.41 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C-H...O hydrogen bonds to form inversion dimers. There are parallel-displaced π-π interactions present, together with C-H...π interactions, resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional structure. The anticorrosion potential of I was also investigated using density functional theory (DFT) in the gas phase and in various solvents. The compound was shown to exhibit significant anticorrosion properties for iron and copper. The molecular structure of I was determined by DFT calculations at the M062X/6-311+g(d) level of theory and compared with the crystallographically determined structure. Local and global reactivity descriptors were computed to predict the reactivity of I. Excellent agreement was observed between the calculated results and the experimental data.

Mo(VI) Potential Metallodrugs: Explaining the Transport and Cytotoxicity by Chemical Transformations

The transport and cytotoxicity of molybdenum-based drugs have been explained with the concept of chemical transformation, a very important idea in inorganic medicinal chemistry that is often overlooked in the interpretation of the biological activity of metal-containing systems. Two monomeric, [MoO₂(L¹)(MeOH)] (1) and [MoO₂(L²)(EtOH)] (2), and two mixed-ligand dimeric Mo^VIO₂ species, [{MoO₂(L^1-2)}₂(μ-4,4'-bipy)] (3-4), were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the solid complexes were solved through SC-XRD, while their transformation in water was clarified by UV-vis, ESI-MS, and DFT. In aqueous solution, 1-4 lead to the penta-coordinated [MoO₂(L^1-2)] active species after the release of the solvent molecule (1 and 2) or removal of the 4,4'-bipy bridge (3 and 4). [MoO₂(L^1-2)] are stable in solution and react with neither serum bioligand nor cellular reductants. The binding affinity of 1-4 toward HSA and DNA were evaluated through analytical and computational methods and in both cases a non-covalent interaction is expected. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes was also determined and flow cytometry analysis showed the apoptotic death of the cancer cells. Interestingly, μ-4,4'-bipy bridged complexes 3 and 4 were found to be more active than monomeric 1 and 2, due to the mixture of species generated, that is [MoO₂(L^1-2)] and the cytotoxic 4,4'-bipy released after their dissociation. Since in the cytosol neither the reduction of Mo^VI to Mo^V/IV takes place nor the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through Fenton-like reactions of 1-4 with H₂O₂ occurs, the mechanism of cytotoxicity should be attributable to the direct interaction with DNA that happens with a minor-groove binding which results in cell death through an apoptotic mechanism.

Combatting AMR: A molecular approach to the discovery of potent and non-toxic rhenium complexes active against C. albicans-MRSA co-infection

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major emerging threat to public health, causing serious issues in the successful prevention and treatment of persistent diseases. While the problem escalates, lack of financial incentive has lead major pharmaceutical companies to interrupt their antibiotic drug discovery programs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for novel solutions outside the traditional development pathway, with emphasis on new classes of active compounds with non-classical mechanisms of action. Metal complexes are an untapped source of antibiotic potential owing to unique modes of action and a wider range of three-dimensional geometries as compared to purely organic compounds. In this study, we present the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of a family of rhenium tricarbonyl diimine complexes with varying ligands, charge and lipophilicity. Our study allowed the identification of potent and non-toxic complexes active in vivo against S. aureus infections at MIC doses as low as 300 ng/mL, as well as against C. albicans-MRSA mixed co-infection. The compounds are capable of suppressing the C. albicans morphogenetic yeast-to-hyphal transition, eradicating fungal-S. aureus co-infection, while showing no sign of cardio-, hepato-, hematotoxiciy or teratogenicity.

A versatile living polymerization method for aromatic amides

Polycondensation polymers typically follow step-growth kinetics assuming all functional groups are equally likely to react with one another. If the reaction rates with the chain end can be selectively accelerated, living polymers can be obtained. Here we report on two chlorophosphonium iodide reagents that have been synthesized from triphenylphosphine and tri(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphine. The former activates aromatic carboxylic acids as acid chlorides in the presence of secondary aromatic amines and the latter even in the presence of primary aromatic amines. These reagents allow p-aminobenzoic acid derivatives to form solution-stable activated monomers that polymerize in a living fashion in the presence of amine initiators. Other aryl amino acids and even dimers of aryl amino acids can be polymerized in a living fashion when slowly added to the phosphonium salt in the presence of an amine initiator. Diblock copolymers and triblock terpolymers of aryl amino acids can be prepared even in the presence of electrophilic functional groups.

Aerobically stable and substitutionally labile α-diimine rhenium dicarbonyl complexes

New synthetic routes to aerobically stable and substitutionally labile α-diimine rhenium(i) dicarbonyl complexes are described. The molecules are prepared in high yield from the cis–cis–trans-[Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)Br₂]⁻ anion (2, where ^tBu₂bpy is 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine), which can be isolated from the one electron reduction of the corresponding 17-electron complex (1). Compound 2 is stable in the solid state, but in solution it is oxidized by molecular oxygen back to 1. Replacement of a single bromide of 2 by σ-donor monodentate ligands (Ls) yields stable neutral 18-electron cis–cis–trans-[Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)Br(L)] species. In coordinating solvents like methanol the halide is replaced giving the corresponding solvated cations. [Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)Br(L)] species can be further reacted with Ls to prepare stable cis–cis–trans-[Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)(L)₂]⁺ complexes in good yield. Ligand substitution of Re(i) complexes proceeds via pentacoordinate intermediates capable of Berry pseudorotation. In addition to the cis–cis–trans-complexes, cis–cis–cis- (all cis) isomers are also formed. In particular, cis–cis–trans-[Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)(L)₂]⁺ complexes establish an equilibrium with all cis isomers in solution. The solid state crystal structure of nearly all molecules presented could be elucidated. The molecules adopt a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. In comparison to similar fac-[Re(CO)₃]⁺complexes, Re(i) diacarbonyl species are characterized by a bend (ca. 7°) of the axial ligands towards the α-diimine unit. [Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)Br₂]⁻ and [Re(CO)₂(^tBu₂bpy)Br(L)] complexes may be considered as synthons for the preparation of a variety of new stable diamagnetic dicarbonyl rhenium cis-[Re(CO)₂]⁺ complexes, offering a convenient entry in the chemistry of the core.

New synthetic routes to aerobically stable and substitutionally labile α-diimine rhenium(i) dicarbonyl complexes offer a convenient entry in the chemistry of the cis-[Re(CO)₂]⁺ core.

Sequential Multiple-Target Sensor: In3+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ Discrimination by an Anthracene-Based Probe

Indium is a nonphysiological toxic metal widely used in industry. While misunderstood, its toxicity is proposed to be linked to a perturbation of Fe³⁺ homeostasis through the binding of In³⁺ ions to essential iron metalloproteins such as transferrins. Therefore, the monitoring of In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ in biological environments is of prime interest for both basic research and diagnosis. Here we report the design of a salen-type anthracene-based probe able to selectively sense and discriminate In³⁺ and Fe^2+/3+ ions by fluoro-colorimetry.

Compartmentalization of Alkaline-Earth Metals in Salen-Type Cu- and Ni-Complexes in Solution and in the Solid State

The precise arrangement of metal ions in type and number by a ligand represents an important challenge in biology as well as in materials science. The preorganization of different metal ions such as alkaline-earth and transition-metal ions is of particular interest for the design of catalysts or precursors of oxides. This study is based on a Ω-shaped salen-derived ligand comprising N₂O₂ and O₂O₂ coordination sites. The selective binding of Cu(II) and Ni(II) and alkaline-earth-metal ions is influenced by many factors such as the size of the cation, the solvent, or the counterion. UV-vis and ¹H NMR titrations and single-crystal X-ray structures reveal that the obtained complexes tend to adopt different structures in solution compared to the solid state. Mainly discrete motifs with a stoichiometry 1:1 (LM₁ to alkaline-earth-metal ions) have been shown to form in the solid state, whereas in solution, the 2:1 complexes are predominant.

Silver(I) complexes with 4,7-phenanthroline efficient in rescuing the zebrafish embryos of lethal Candida albicans infection

Five novel silver(I) complexes with 4,7-phenanthroline (4,7-phen), [Ag(NO₃-O)(4,7-phen-μ-N4,N7)]_n (1), [Ag(ClO₄-О)(4,7-phen-μ-N4,N7)]_n (2), [Ag(CF₃COO-O)(4,7-phen-μ-N4,N7)]_n (3), [Ag₂(H₂O)_0.58(4,7-phen)₃](SbF₆)₂ (4) and {[Ag₂(H₂O)(4,7-phen-μ-N4,N7)₂](BF₄)₂}_n (5) were synthesized, structurally elucidated and biologically evaluated. These complexes showed selectivity towards Candida spp. in comparison to the tested bacteria and effectively inhibited the growth of four different Candida species, particularly of C. albicans strains, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range of 2.0-10.0 μM. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of 1-5, in vivo toxicity studies were conducted in the zebrafish model. Based on the favorable therapeutic profiles, complexes 1, 3 and 5 were selected for the evaluation of their antifungal efficacy in vivo using the zebrafish model of lethal disseminated candidiasis. Complexes 1 and 3 efficiently controlled and prevented fungal filamentation even at sub-MIC doses, while drastically increased the survival of the infected embryos. Moreover, at the MIC doses, both complexes totally prevented C. albicans filamentation and rescued almost all infected fish of the fatal infection outcome. On the other side, complex 5, which demonstrated the highest antifungal activity in vitro, affected the neutrophils occurrence of the infected host, failed to inhibit the C. albicans cells filamentation and showed a poor potential to cure candidal infection, highlighting the importance of the in vivo activity evaluation early in the therapeutic design and development process. The mechanism of action of the investigated silver(I) complexes was related to the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) response in C. albicans, with DNA being one of the possible target biomolecules.

In vitrocytotoxicity and catalytic evaluation of dioxidovanadium(v) complexes in an azohydrazone ligand environment

Synthesis, characterization,in vitrocytotoxicity and catalytic potential of the dioxidovanadium(v) complexes of azohydrazones.

Mononuclear silver(I) complexes with 1,7-phenanthroline as potent inhibitors of Candida growth

Mononuclear silver(I) complexes with 1,7-phenanthroline (1,7-phen), [Ag(NO₃-O,O') (1,7-phen-N7)₂] (1) and [Ag(1,7-phen-N7)₂]X, X = ClO₄^- (2), CF₃SO₃^- (3), BF₄^- (4) and SbF₆^- (5) were synthesized and structurally characterized by NMR (¹H and ¹³C), IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. The crystal structures of 1, 3 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In all these complexes, 1,7-phen coordinates to the Ag(I) ion in a monodentate fashion via the less sterically hindered N7 nitrogen atom. The investigation of the solution stability of 1-5 in DMSO revealed that they are sufficiently stable in this solvent at room temperature. Complexes 1-5 showed selectivity towards Candida spp. in comparison to bacteria, effectively inhibiting the growth of four different Candida species with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) between 1.2 and 11.3 μM. Based on the lowest MIC values and the lowest cytotoxicity against healthy human fibroblasts with selectivity index of more than 30, the antifungal potential was examined in detail for the complex 1. It had the ability to attenuate C. albicans virulence and to reduce epithelial cell damage in the cell infection model. Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) response has been detected in C. albicans, with fungal DNA being one of the possible target biomolecules. The toxicity profile of 1 in the zebrafish model (Danio rerio) revealed improved safety and activity in comparison to that of clinically utilized silver(I) sulfadiazine.

Characteristics and properties of nano-LiCoO2 synthesized by pre-organized single source precursors: Li-ion diffusivity, electrochemistry and biological assessment

Background

LiCoO₂ is one of the most used cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. Its conventional synthesis requires high temperature (>800 °C) and long heating time (>24 h) to obtain the micronscale rhombohedral layered high-temperature phase of LiCoO₂ (HT-LCO). Nanoscale HT-LCO is of interest to improve the battery performance as the lithium (Li⁺) ion pathway is expected to be shorter in nanoparticles as compared to micron sized ones. Since batteries typically get recycled, the exposure to nanoparticles during this process needs to be evaluated.

Results

Several new single source precursors containing lithium (Li⁺) and cobalt (Co²⁺) ions, based on alkoxides and aryloxides have been structurally characterized and were thermally transformed into nanoscale HT-LCO at 450 °C within few hours. The size of the nanoparticles depends on the precursor, determining the electrochemical performance. The Li-ion diffusion coefficients of our LiCoO₂ nanoparticles improved at least by a factor of 10 compared to commercial one, while showing good reversibility upon charging and discharging. The hazard of occupational exposure to nanoparticles during battery recycling was investigated with an in vitro multicellular lung model.

Conclusions

Our heterobimetallic single source precursors allow to dramatically reduce the production temperature and time for HT-LCO. The obtained nanoparticles of LiCoO₂ have faster kinetics for Li⁺ insertion/extraction compared to microparticles. Overall, nano-sized LiCoO₂ particles indicate a lower cytotoxic and (pro-)inflammogenic potential in vitro compared to their micron-sized counterparts. However, nanoparticles aggregate in air and behave partially like microparticles.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12951-017-0292-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Model peptide studies of Ag+ binding sites from the silver resistance protein SilE

A model peptide study characterizes several Ag⁺-binding sites of the bacterial silver resistant protein SilE, providing new insights into its physiological role.

Influence of anions and solvent molecules on the packing and emission spectra of coordination polymers based on silver ions and an anthracene derivative

The structure-property relationships in Ag-coordination polymers with an anthracene-derived ligand are studied.

Crystal structures of a copper(II) and the isotypic nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes of the ligand (E)-1-[(2,4,6-tri-bromo-phen-yl)diazen-yl]naphthalen-2-ol

In the copper(II) complex, bis-{(E)-1-[(2,4,6-tri-bromo-phen-yl)diazen-yl]naph-thalen-2-olato}copper(II), [Cu(C16H8Br3N2O)2], (I), the metal cation is coord-inated by two N atoms and two O atoms from two bidentate (E)-1-[(2,4,6-tri-bromo-phen-yl)diazen-yl]naphthalen-2-olate ligands, forming a slightly distorted square-planar environment. In one of the ligands, the tri-bromo-benzene ring is inclined to the naphthalene ring system by 37.4 (5)°, creating a weak intra-molecular Cu⋯Br inter-action [3.134 (2) Å], while in the other ligand, the tri-bromo-benzene ring is inclined to the naphthalene ring system by 72.1 (6)°. In the isotypic nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes, namely bis-{(E)-1-[(2,4,6-tri-bromo-phen-yl)diazen-yl]naphthalen-2-olato}nickel(II), [Ni(C16H8Br3N2O)2], (II), and bis-{(E)-1-[(2,4,6-tri-bromo-phen-yl)diazen-yl]naphthalen-2-olato}palladium(II), [Pd(C16H8Br3N2O)2], (III), respectively, the metal atoms are located on centres of inversion, hence the metal coordination spheres have perfect square-planar geometries. The tri-bromo-benzene rings are inclined to the naphthalene ring systems by 80.79 (18)° in (II) and by 80.8 (3)° in (III). In the crystal of (I), mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [010]. The chains are linked by C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming sheets parallel to (011). In the crystals of (II) and (III), mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming slabs parallel to (10-1). For the copper(II) complex (I), a region of disordered electron density was corrected for using the SQUEEZE routine in PLATON [Spek (2015 ▸). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18]. The formula mass and unit-cell characteristics of the disordered solvent mol-ecules were not taken into account during refinement.

Synthesis of New Polyether Ether Ketone Derivatives with Silver Binding Site and Coordination Compounds of Their Monomers with Different Silver Salts

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a well-known polymer used for implants and devices, especially spinal ones. To overcome the biomaterial related infection risks, 4-4′-difluorobenzophenone, the famous PEEK monomer, was modified in order to introduce binding sites for silver ions, which are well known for their antimicrobial activity. The complexation of these new monomers with different silver salts was studied. Crystal structures of different intermediates were obtained with a linear coordination between two pyridine groups and the silver ions in all cases. The mechanical and thermal properties of different new polymers were characterized. The synthesized PEEKN5 polymers showed similar properties than the PEEK ones whereas the PEEKN7 polymers showed similar thermal properties but the mechanical properties are not as good as the ones of PEEK. To improve these properties, these polymers were complexed with silver nitrate in order to “cross-link” with silver ions. The presence of ionic silver in the polymer was then confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Finally, a silver-based antimicrobial compound was successfully coated on the surface of PEEKN5.

Nanomaterials Meet Li-ion Batteries

Li-ion batteries are used in many applications in everyday life: cell phones, laser pointers, laptops, cordless drillers or saws, bikes and even cars. Yet, there is room for improvement in order to make the batteries smaller and last longer. The Fromm group contributes to this research focusing mainly on nanoscale lithium ion cathode materials. This contribution gives an overview over our current activities in the field of batteries. After an introduction on the nano-materials of LiCoO(2) and LiMnPO(4), the studies of our cathode composition and preparation will be presented.

A study of DNA/BSA interaction and catalytic potential of oxidovanadium(v) complexes with ONO donor ligands

The study of DNA/BSA interaction and the catalytic potential of five mono- and dinuclear oxidoethoxido vanadium(v) complexes.

Crystal structure of dimethylammonium hydrogen oxalate hemi(oxalic acid)

The title salt consists of a di­methyl­ammonium cation (Me₂NH₂⁺), an hydrogenoxalate anion (HC₂O₄⁻), and half a mol­ecule of oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) situated about an inversion center. They are linked together through inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional bilayer-like self-assembly.

Single crystals of the title salt, Me₂NH₂⁺·HC₂O₄⁻·0.5H₂C₂O₄, were isolated as a side product from the reaction involving Me₂NH, H₂C₂O₄ and Sn(n-Bu)₃Cl in a 1:2 ratio in methanol or by the reaction of the (Me₂NH₂)₂C₂O₄ salt and Sn(CH₃)₃Cl in a 2:1 ratio in ethanol. The asymmetric unit comprises a di­methyl­ammonium cation (Me₂NH₂⁺), an hydrogenoxalate anion (HC₂O₄⁻), and half a mol­ecule of oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) situated about an inversion center. From a supra­molecular point of view, the three components inter­act together via hydrogen bonding. The Me₂NH₂⁺ cations and the HC₂O₄⁻ anions are in close proximity through bifurcated N—H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds, while the HC₂O₄⁻ anions are organized into infinite chains via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, propagating along the a-axis direction. In addition, the oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) mol­ecules play the role of connectors between these chains. Both the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of each diacid are involved in four inter­molecular inter­actions with two Me₂NH₂⁺ and two HC₂O₄⁻ ions of four distinct polymeric chains, via two N—H⋯O and two O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, respectively. The resulting mol­ecular assembly can be viewed as a two-dimensional bilayer-like arrangement lying parallel to (010), and reinforced by a C—H⋯O hydrogen bond.

Synthesis, X-ray structure and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of Cu(i/ii) complexes of thiosemicarbazone: special emphasis on their interactions with DNA

The interactions of four Cu-TSC complexes with DNA & their cytotoxicity studies against the HeLa cell have been reported.

4-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydes: proton transfer or deprotonation

Proton captured/proton lost: in 4-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde concentration dependent deprotonation is observed, while when a piperidine unit is attached the proton is captured.

Polyhalides as scaffolds for supramolecular, ion-conducting crown ether stacks

"Crown ethers, such as dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) are in principle perfect building blocks to be stacked on top of each other for one-dimensional (1D) channel formation. However, in the more than 1000 publications on crown ethers in the solid state, only one case was of channel formation described, but not as main focus of research.[1] We now present a way to systematically induce the stacking of DB18C6 with the help of polyhalides, which play the roles of scaffolds via halogen bonding.[2] These compounds can be considered as ""supramolecular straws"". Using for example potassium as couter ion for triiodide for example, we obtained a solid which contains three differently filled, parallel channels in the solid state, which are arranged between the polyhalide anions. Exchanging potassium with sodium by immersion of a single crystal into NaOH solution leads to a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation into a compound with two channel types. This transition from a system crystallizing initially in the P2-space group to yield a compound in Pccn is only possible under these very special conditions. We will further present how the ion transport through these channels can be quantified and which process is involved in ion exchange. The role of the polyhalide anions, which cannot be replaced by other linear anions, will be emphasized as well. "

Greasy tails switch 1D-coordination [{Zn2(OAc)4(4′-(4-ROC6H4)-4,2′:6′,4′′-tpy)}n] polymers to discrete [Zn2(OAc)4(4′-(4-ROC6H4)-4,2′:6′,4′′-tpy)2] complexes

Polymers [{Zn₂(OAc)₄(4′-(4-ROC₆H₄)-4,2′:6′,4′′-tpy)}_n] with dominant π-stacking interactions are favoured for small RO groups; with long chains, there is a switch to discrete molecules.

7-[(Morpholin-4-yl)(phenyl)methyl]quinolin-8-ol

In the title compound, C₂₀H₂₀N₂O₂, the quinoline ring system makes dihedral angles of 81.05 (4) and 61.16 (5)° with the mean planes of the benzene and morpholine rings, respectively; the mean planes of the latter two rings make a dihedral angle of 83.59 (4)°. In the crystal, pairs of O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link neighbouring mol­ecules related by a twofold rotation axis, generating R₂²(10) motifs.