Simona Nica

One-dimensional coordination polymers constructed from di- and trinuclear {3d–4f} tectons. A new useful spacer in crystal engineering: 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)azulene

Four new heterometallic 3d–4f complexes have been obtained using bi- and trinuclear building blocks: 1∞[Ni(L1)Gd(NO3)3(azbbpy)]·CH3CN (1), [Zn(L1)Eu(NO3)3(azbbpy)]·H2O (2), 1∞[(CuL2)2Gd(NO3)2(dca)] 3 and 1∞[(NiL2)2Dy(H2O)4(oxy-bbz)]NO3·3H2O (4), [H2L1 = 1,3-propanediyl-bis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxyphenol), H2L2 = 2,6-di(acetoacetyl)pyridine, azbbpy = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)azulene, dca− = dicyanamide anion, and oxy-bbz = the dianion of the 4,4′-oxy-bis(benzoic) acid]. 1 and 2 represent the first complexes containing 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)azulene as a ligand. 1, 3, and 4 are one-dimensional coordination polymers constructed from heterometallic nodes connected by the exo-dentate ligands. Helical chains are assembled in the case of 4. The analysis of the packing diagram for 1 reveals the occurrence of π–π stacking interactions established between the azulene rings from neighboring chains, which lead to supramolecular layers. The magnetic properties of 3 in the temperature range 1.9–300 K have been investigated. Intra-node ferromagnetic interactions are established between the CuII and GdIII ions (J = +2.7 cm−1, Ĥ = −J(ŜCu·ŜGd + ŜCu·ŜGd).

C 3-symmetric trinuclear copper(II) species as tectons in crystal engineering

Three new complexes have been obtained using C3-symmetric trinuclear complexes as tectons; [Cu3(felden)(NCS)3(dmf)3] (1), [Cu3(felden)(mand)3]·(C2H5)2O (2), and [Cu3(felden)(dca)3(C2H5OH)]·2H2O (3) (H3felden is the Schiff base resulting from the condensation of 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, mand− is the anion of the R-mandelic acid and dca− is the dicyanamide anion). Compounds 1 and 2 are discrete trinuclear species, while compound 3 is a 2D coordination polymer, constructed from trinuclear nodes and dicyanamido spacers. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 1–3 have been investigated and they reveal the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions (−J values ranging from 0.90 to 2.40 cm−1) whose size and trend are dependent on the intramolecular copper–copper separation and nature of the basal chromophore at each copper atom.

Pyranylium Salts as Synthones in the Synthesis of Substituted Benzenes

Abstract Starting from 4-(azulen-1-yl)-pyranylium perchlorates, several azulenyl-substituted phenols as well as nitrobenzene and acetophenone derivatives were synthesized. The products were characterized, and the correlations between the compound structures and NMR spectra were investigated.

Visible-light triggered photoswitching systems based on fluorescent azulenyl-substituted dithienylcyclopentenes

Novel azulenyl functionalized dithienylethenes were synthesized, and their photochromic reactivity, fluorescent and electrochemical properties were investigated. By tailoring the conventional dithienylcyclopentene chromophore with azulene groups, the photocyclization occurred with 405 nm wavelength light irradiation. These compounds exhibited relatively strong fluorescence at 524 nm when excited at 360 nm, which decreased along with the photocyclization. Furthermore, their electrochemical oxidation induced cyclization.

Absolute Configuration Determination of Azulenyl Diols Isolated From Asymmetric Pinacol Coupling

A convenient enantioselective approach for the pinacol coupling of 1-acetylazulene involving easily accessible (R)- or (S)-BINOLs as chiral additive is reported. This supposes the preformation of the chiral titanium-BINOL complex in 1:2 ratio and subsequent reduction with zinc when, 2,3-di(azulen-1-yl)butane-2,3-diol can be isolated in around 60% enantiomeric excess. The absolute configuration of the isolated enantiomers was assigned by comparison of the experimental and Boltzmann-weighted calculated VCD and ECD spectra and assigned as (+)-(2S;3S)-di(azulen-1-yl)butane-2,3-diol. Chirality 27:826-834, 2015.

Photochemistry of Fluorescent Azobenzenes Substituted with Azulenylpyridine Moiety

Fluorescent properties and the photoisomerization behaviour of 4-azulenylpyridine-substituted azobenzenes were investigated. All studied compounds have shown fluorescent emission in solution, originating from excited singlet state S2 → S0 of azulene moiety. The substitution of the azobenzene chromophore has affected the preservation of the fluorescence emission in thin films prepared in PMMA matrix. Correlation of absorption spectra with 1H–NMR spectroscopy revealed that for all compounds the E → Z isomerization takes place upon exposure to UV light.

Organic co-crystals of 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)azulene with a series of hydrogen-bond donors

The supramolecular interactions between 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)azulene (azbbpy) as a hydrogen bond acceptor and a variety of aromatic hydrogen-bond donors produced new binary molecular co-crystals and a salt. All crystal structures display extensive and very complex hydrogen bond networks containing both homo- and heterosynthons formed through robust O–H⋯N and OH⋯O hydrogen bonds. The binary co-crystals of azbbpy with 4,4′-biphenol and 4,4′-oxo-bis-benzoic acid in a 1 : 1 ratio revealed that the recognition process differs. While 4,4′-biphenol acts both as a donor and an acceptor of protons, generating a two-dimensional supramolecular network in which azbbpy interacts with only one pyridine moiety, the co-crystallization with 4,4′-oxo-bis-benzoic acid yielded zig-zag chains formed by alternating acid–pyridine supramolecular heterosynthons. Co-crystallization with isophthalic acid yields a 2 : 1 system, 4, as hydrogen-bonded zig-zag supramolecular chains containing a R44(36) graph set organized through strong OH⋯N and weak C–H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Co-crystallization of azbbpy with trimesic acid in different ratios yielded two distinct systems: co-crystal 5 and salt 6. In 5, the trimesic acid molecules are assembled in supramolecular helical chains which are further connected by azbbpy through hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions into a 3D architecture with channels that host water molecules. A complicated supramolecular 3D architecture is also established between trimesic anions and azbbpyH+ cations in crystal 6, resulting in channels filled with disordered solvent molecules. These types of interactions were also evidenced in a quantitative way and confirmed on grounds of the Hirshfeld surface mapped with geometrical parameters that characterize close contacts in co-crystals. The optical properties of these supramolecular systems showed strong absorption bands in the visible region due to the azulene fragment.