Sheng Hu

The first ferroelectric templated borate: [Ni(en)2pip][B5O6(OH)4]2

The title compound (GDUT-4) is the first templated borate compound shown to have ferroelectric properties. Its structure consists of a metal complex and isolated polyanion. The chiral structure of the compound was induced by guest-complex cations according to host-guest symmetry through hydrogen bonds (H-bonds). The origins of ferroelectricity in GDUT-4 was shown to be dependent on proton transfer through H-bonds.

Two three-dimensional supramolecular networks built from metallophenols through hydrogen bonds and coordinate bonds

Crystallization of Co(NO3)2 with 4-(imidazol-1-yl)phenol (L) gave a complex formulated as [Co(L)6](NO3)2, whose X-ray crystal structure revealed a twofold inclined interpenetrated network supported by extensive hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions. Crystallization of Co(ClO4)2, L and dicyanamide (dca) in ethanol gave a complex formulated as [Co(L)4(μ-dca)]n(ClO4)n·4n(EtOH)·nH2O. The X-ray crystal structure of this complex consisted of a three-dimensional open framework, constructed by one-dimensional coordination chains through extensive interchain quadruplicate hydrogen bonding interactions between the phenols and uncoordinated amides. The magnetic properties of [Co(L)4(μ-dca)]n(ClO4)n·4n(EtOH)·nH2O have been studied, revealing weak antiferromagnetic exchange between cobalt atoms.Graphical AbstractCrystallization of Co(NO3)2 with 4-(imidazol-1-yl)phenol (L) gave a complex formulated as [Co(L)6](NO3)2, whose X-ray crystal structure revealed a twofold inclined interpenetrated network constructed by extensive hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction. Crystallization of Co(ClO4)2, L and sodium dicyanamide (Na(dca)) in ethanol gave a complex formulated as [Co(L)4(μ-dca)]n(ClO4)n·4n(EtOH)·nH2O, which is a three-dimensional open framework, constructed by one-dimensional coordination chains through extensive interchain quadruplicate hydrogen bonding interactions between the phenols and uncoordinated amides.

Co-crystallization of a Versatile Building Block Benzoguanamine with Two Flexible Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acids

AbstractCo-crystallization of a versatile building module benzoguanamine (bga) with two flexible cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids (1,4-chdcH2) and 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (1,3-chdcH2) affords two 3-D supramolecular solids of (bga)·(1,4-chdcH2)0.5 (1), and (bga)3·(1,4-chdcH2)·(H2O)2 (2). The supramolecular architectures of the two complexes are predominantly hydrogen bonded via N–H⋯N base pairs, in which adjacent bga molecules form (bga)∞ ribbons via pairs of N–H⋯N hydrogen bonds (R22(8) synthon). Typical acid-base R22 (8) synthons consisting of a nitrogen and amine group of L and carboxylic acid groups featuring N–H⋯O and O–H⋯N hydrogen bonds are also observed in the two complexes. The presence of water molecules makes the network of 2 quite complicated, and a hydrogen-bonded [(1,3-chdcH2)·(H2O)2]∞ chain is also observed.Graphical AbstractTwo co-crystals of benzoguanamine (bga) with two flexible cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids (1,4-chdcH2) and 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (1,3-chdcH2) have been obtained and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Two typical R22 (8) synthons consisted by N–H⋯N, N–H⋯O and O–H⋯N hydrogen bonding interactions are observed in the two complexes, leading to two 3-D supramolecular architectures.