Stephen P. Argent

Supramolecular Assemblies Formed on an Epitaxial Graphene Superstructure

The seminal work of Novoselov et al. has stimulated great interest in the controllable growth of epitaxial graphene monolayers. While initial research was focussed on the use of SiC wafers, the promise of transition metals as substrates has also been demonstrated and both approaches are scalable to large-area production. 12] The growth of graphene on transition metals such as Ru, Rh and Ir leads to a moir!-like superstructure, 10,12,13] similar to that observed for BN monolayers. Here we show that such a superstructure can be used to control the organization of extended supramolecular nanostructures. The formation of two-dimensional supramolecular arrays has received increasing attention over recent years primarily due to potential applications in nanostructure fabrication as well as fundamental interest in self-assembly processes. Such studies can be highly dependent on the nature of the substrate used, and the interplay between surface and adsorbed supramolecular structure is a topic of significant conjecture. Until now metallic surfaces or highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) have typically been the surfaces of choice for such studies. Our results demonstrate that graphene is compatible with, and can strongly influence molecular selfassembly. We have studied the adsorption of perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) and related derivatives on a graphene monolayer grown on a Rh(111) heteroepitaxial thin film (Figure 1). In particular, we show that a near-commensur-

Mixed-Ligand Molecular Paneling: Dodecanuclear Cuboctahedral Coordination Cages Based on a Combination of Edge-Bridging and Face-Capping Ligands

Reaction of a tris-bidentate ligand L(1) (which can cap one triangular face of a metal polyhedron), a bis-bidentate ligand L(2) (which can span one edge of a metal polyhedron), and a range of M(2+) ions (M = Co, Cu, Cd), which all have a preference for six coordination geometry, results in assembly of the mixed-ligand polyhedral cages [M12(mu(3)-L(1))4(mu-L(2))12](24+). When the components are combined in the correct proportions [M(2+):L(1):L(2) = 3:1:3] in MeNO2, this is the sole product. The array of 12 M(2+) cations has a cuboctahedral geometry, containing six square and eight triangular faces around a substantial central cavity; four of the eight M3 triangular faces (every alternate one) are capped by a ligand L(1), with the remaining four M3 faces having a bridging ligand L(2) along each edge in a cyclic helical array. Thus, four homochiral triangular {M3(L(2))3}(6+) helical units are connected by four additional L(1) ligands to give the mixed-ligand cuboctahedral array, a topology which could not be formed in any homoleptic complex of this type but requires the cooperation of two different types of ligand. The complex [Cd3(L(2))3(ClO4)4(MeCN)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2, a trinuclear triple helicate in which two sites at each Cd(II) are occupied by monodentate ligands (solvent or counterions), was also characterized and constitutes an incomplete fragment of the dodecanuclear cage comprising one triangular {M3(L(2))3}(6+) face which has not yet reacted with the ligands L(1). (1)H NMR and electrospray mass spectrometric studies show that the dodecanuclear cages remain intact in solution; the NMR studies show that the Cd 12 cage has four-fold (D2) symmetry, such that there are three independent Cd(II) environments, as confirmed by a (113)Cd NMR spectrum. These mixed-ligand cuboctahedral complexes reveal the potential of using combinations of face-capping and edge-bridging ligands to extend the range of accessible topologies of polyhedral coordination cages.

Proton Conduction in a Phosphonate-Based Metal-Organic Framework Mediated by Intrinsic "free Diffusion inside a Sphere"

Understanding the molecular mechanism of proton conduction is crucial for the design of new materials with improved conductivity. Quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) has been used to probe the mechanism of proton diffusion within a new phosphonate-based metal–organic framework (MOF) material, MFM-500(Ni). QENS suggests that the proton conductivity (4.5 × 10–4 S/cm at 98% relative humidity and 25 °C) of MFM-500(Ni) is mediated by intrinsic “free diffusion inside a sphere”, representing the first example of such a mechanism observed in MOFs.

Homo- and heteropolynuclear helicates with a ‘2 + 3 + 2’-dentate compartmental ligand

An octadentate ligand L has been prepared which contains a sequence of bidentate (pyrazolyl-pyridine), terdentate [bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine] and bidentate (pyrazolyl-pyridine) binding sites separated by p-xylyl spacers. This forms a range of double helical complexes in which the two ligands define 4-, 6-, and 4-coordinate binding sites, and there is substantial π-stacking between overlapping parallel areas of the ligands. In [Cu3L2][PF6]4 the sequence of oxidation states for the copper ions is +1, +2, +1 with the Cu(I) ions being four-coordinate at the terminal sites and Cu(II) being in the central six-coordinate site. In [Cu3(OAc)2L2][PF6]4 all copper centres are in oxidation state +2, with the terminal ions having an additional monodentate acetate ligand giving them a five-coordinate geometry. The 4 + 6 + 4 arrangement of coordination numbers means that reaction of L with a mixture of Fe(II) and Ag(I) results in high yield formation of [Ag2FeL2][BF4]4 in which Ag(I) ions occupy the terminal 4-coordinate sites and Fe(II) occupies the central pseudo-octahedral site. Reaction of L with Ag(I) produced a mixture of [Ag3L2][BF4]3 (major product) and [Ag4L2][BF4]4 (minor product). In [Ag3L2][BF4]3 the central Ag(I) ion is, unusually, in a pseudo-octahedral coordination environment from the two meridional, terdentate bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine donors. In [Ag4L2][BF4]4 in contrast the central 6-coordinate cavity is occupied by two Ag(I) ions separated by 2.85 A. The terdentate chelating bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine units at the centre of the helicate are now substantially twisted such that each donates a bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine to one Ag(I) centre and a monodentate pyrazole unit to the other. In solution, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopic evidence indicates that the fourth Ag(I) ion is lost and [Ag3L2][BF4]3 forms, unless a large excess of Ag(I) is present in which case traces of [Ag4L2][BF4]4 can be detected by mass spectrometry.

Selective Adsorption of Sulfur Dioxide in a Robust Metal–Organic Framework Material

Selective adsorption of SO2 is realized in a porous metal-organic framework material, and in-depth structural and spectroscopic investigations using X-rays, infrared, and neutrons define the underlying interactions that cause SO2 to bind more strongly than CO2 and N2 .

A Perylene Diimide Rotaxane: Synthesis, Structure and Electrochemically Driven De‐Threading

The first example of a [2]-rotaxane in which a perylene diimide acts as a recognition site has been synthesised and characterised. The interlocked nature of the compound has been verified by both NMR studies and an X-ray structure determination. Electrochemical investigations confirm that the nature of the redox processes associated with the perylene diimide are modified by the complexation process and that it is possible to mono-reduce the [2]-rotaxane to give a radical anion based rotaxane. Further reduction of the compound leads to de-threading of the macrocycle from the reduced PTCDI recognition site. Our synthetic strategies confirm the potential of PTCDI-based rotaxanes as viable targets for the preparation of complex interlocked species.

Amides Do Not Always Work: Observation of Guest Binding in an Amide-Functionalized Porous Metal–Organic Framework

An amide-functionalized metal organic framework (MOF) material, MFM-136, shows a high CO2 uptake of 12.6 mmol g–1 at 20 bar and 298 K. MFM-136 is the first example of an acylamide pyrimidyl isophthalate MOF without open metal sites and, thus, provides a unique platform to study guest binding, particularly the role of free amides. Neutron diffraction reveals that, surprisingly, there is no direct binding between the adsorbed CO2/CH4 molecules and the pendant amide group in the pore. This observation has been confirmed unambiguously by inelastic neutron spectroscopy. This suggests that introduction of functional groups solely may not necessarily induce specific guest–host binding in porous materials, but it is a combination of pore size, geometry, and functional group that leads to enhanced gas adsorption properties.

Supramolecular isomers of metal–organic frameworks: the role of a new mixed donor imidazolate-carboxylate tetradentate ligand

Five new metal-organic frameworks prepared from the ligand 5-bis(3-(1-imidazolyl)propylcarbamoyl)terephthalate (bipta(2-)) and transition metal salts, Zn(2+) (1), Co(2+) (2), Mn(2+) (3, 4) and Cu(2+) (5), are reported. Single crystal X-ray studies reveal that the bipta(2-) ligand acts as a tetradentate ligand and combines with four-coordinate cationic metal nodes to give four-connected framework structures. Whilst reaction of bipta(2-) with Zn(II) gives rise to a framework of diamondoid topology 1, the analogous frameworks with Co(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) afford frameworks that incorporate square-planar nodes. Whereas 2 and 5 form frameworks of Cd(SO(4)) (cds) and square 4(4) nets (sql), respectively, reaction of Mn(II) with bipta(2-) forms two supramolecular isomers of topology cds for 3 and sql for 4.

Post-coordination functionalisation of pyrazolyl-based ligands as a route to polynuclear complexes based on an inert RUIIN6 core

The simple mononuclear complex [Ru(H2bpp)2][PF6]2 [H2bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine] contains four coordinated pyrazolyl ligands which each have a reactive NH site at the position adjacent to the coordinated N atom. Alkylation of these with either 2-[1-{4-(bromomethyl)benzyl}-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]pyridine or 4′-[(4-bromomethyl)phenyl]terpyridine allows attachment of four additional chelating groups, either bidentate pyrazolyl–pyridine and terdentate terpyridyl units, respectively, which are pendant from the central kinetically inert RuIIN6 complex core. These functionalised mononuclear complexes [Ru(L1)2][PF6]2 (with four pendant pyrazolyl–pyridine bidentate sites) and [Ru(L2)2][PF6]2 (with four pendant terpyridyl sites) can be used as the starting point for polynuclear assemblies by attachment of additional labile metal ions as the secondary sites. As examples of this we prepared and structurally characterised the trinuclear complex [RuAg2(L1)2][ClO4]4, an unusual example of a polynuclear helicate containing a kinetically inert metal centre, and the pentanuclear complex [RuCu4(MeCN)5(H2O)1.5(L2)2](SbF6)6(BF4)4 in which each of the pendant terpyridyl sites of the [Ru(L2)2]2+ core is coordinated to a Cu(II) ion.

Hydrogen-bonding tectons for the construction of bimolecular framework materials

Three hydrogen-bonding tectons functionalised with pyrimidine-dione hydrogen-bonding moieties, either uracil or thymine groups, have been synthesised and their solid-state structures studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The tectons have different linkers between the pyrimidine-dione hydrogen-bonding groups. Whereas tectons 1 and 2 have either naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide or p-xylyl spacers, respectively, linking two hydrogen-bonding appendages, tecton 3 comprises three thymine moieties linked via a 2,4,6-tris(methyl)mesitylene spacer. All three tectons have been structurally characterised and in the case of 2 and 3 exhibit the anticipated R22(8) double hydrogen-bonded arrangement between the imide moieties. In contrast, the single crystal structure of the DMSO solvate of 1 does not exhibit inter-tecton hydrogen-bonding but adopts N–H⋯O interactions with guest DMSO molecules. However, bimolecular hydrogen-bonded adducts have successfully been prepared exploiting the complementary triple hydrogen-bonding interactions between 1, or 2, and melamine to give two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded sheets.