Self-assembly of supermolecular species directed by hydrogen bonding and aromatic π-π stacking interactions

Self-assembly of supermolecular species directed by hydrogen bonding and aromatic π–π stacking interactions

X.H. Li^I; A. F. Jalbout^II,*; W.D. Xiang^I

^ICollege of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, P.R.China

^IIInstituto de Quimica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F.

ABSTRACT

A new Cu(II) trimers, [Cu₃(dcp)₂(H₂O)₈]. 4DMF, with the ligand 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid monohydrate (H₃dcp) has been prepared by solvent method. Its solid-state structure has been characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis (TGA and DSC), and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that this complex has extended 1-D,2-D and 3-D supramolecular architectures directed by weak interactions (hydrogen bond and aromatic π-π stacking interaction) leading to a sandwich solid-state structure.

Keywords: Copper complex; crystal structure; supramolecular; π-π interaction.

Introduction

Recently, the design and synthesis of supramolecules that provide new shapes, sizes and chemical environments as well as the searches for new functional materials causes an incessant interest in supramolecular chemistry [1-10]. This is not only due to their complicated structural diversity, but also they are fundamental steps to discover and fabricate various fundamental supramolecular devices or technologically useful materials [11-15]. In the synthesis of supramolecular inorganic architectures by design, the assembly of molecular units in predefined arrangements is a key goal[16-18]. Directional intermolecular interactions are the primary tools in achieving this goal and hydrogen bonding is currently the best among them[19-20]. The use of noncovalent interactions (such as the hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking interactions) to arrange molecular building blocks has evolved into one of the most useful and flexible strategies for the crystal engineering design of extended constitutes that have versatile functions [21-25].

H₃dcp (Scheme 1) is a suitable candidate for assembling supramolecular structure due to its two interesting structural features. At first, it has multiple coordination sites that allow structures of higher dimensions involving both the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole ring and all of the carboxylate oxygens. These multifunctional coordination sites are highly accessible to metal ions; H₃pdc can coordinate as a mono-, bi-, or tetradentate ligand and can act to link together to the metal centers through a number of bridging modes. A variety of its coordination compounds containing transition, lanthanide and alkalineearth metals have been synthesized and reported in the literature [26-30]. Second, it can act both as an excellent hydrogen donor and hydrogen acceptor in hydrogen bonding, which interactions are fundamental in supramolecular chemistry. Furthermore, there are strong π-π stacking interactions between pyrazole rings, which can consolidate the framework. All the factors above strongly stimulate our interest, in this paper, we report a new Cu(II) trimers, [Cu₃(dcp)₂(H2O)₈]. 4DMF. Interestingly, the complex exhibits a sandwich structure, which is constructed by intense intermolecular hydrogen bond and aromatic π-π interaction.

Experimental

Materials and instrumentation

All reagents were commercially obtained and used without any further purification. Elemental analyses (C, H and N) were carried out on a Carlo-Erba 1112 Elemental Analyzer. Crystal structure was obtained on a Bruker Smart-1000 CCD diffractometer. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and calorimetric analyses were performed on a SDT Q600 V5.0 Build 63 simultaneous thermobalance and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), respectively, at 20ºC min^-1 to a maximum temperature of 825ºC in dynamic dinitrogen atmosphere of approximately 150 cm³ min^-1.

Synthesis of the title compound

Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (0.25g, 1 mmol) was dissovled in water (10 mL), then, a DMF solution (10 mL) of 2,2'-bipyridine (0.16g, 1mmol), and 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (0.16 g, 1 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring at 298 K temperature. Then the reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate stood for about two weeks until the blue single crystals were obtained. The prism shaped crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were collected by filtration, washed with water and ethanol and dried in air. Yield 40%. Anal. Calcd for C₂₂ H₄₆ N₈ O₂₀ Cu₃ (%) C, 28.29; H, 4.93; N, 12.00. Found: C, 28.36; H, 5.02; N, 11.88.

X-ray crystallography

All measurements were made on a Bruker Smart-1000 CCD diffractometer with graphite monochromated Mo-Kα radiation (λ = 0.071073 nm) using ω-scan technique. Determination of the Laue class, orientation matrix, and cell dimensions were performed according to the established procedures. Lorentz polarization and absorption corrections were applied. Absorption corrections were applied by fitting a pseudoellipsoid to the ω-scan data of selected strong reflections over a wide range of 2θ angles. Most of the non-hydrogen atoms in the crystal structure were located with the direct methods, and subsequent Fourier syntheses were used to derive the remaining non-hydrogen atoms. All of non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically, and all of the hydrogen atoms were held stationary and included in the final stage of full-matrix least-squares refinement based on F2 using the SHELXS-97 and SHELXL-97 programs package[31-32]. The crystal data are given in Table 1. The select bond lengths and bond angles are given in Table 2. The hydrogen bonding data is given in table 3.

Results and discussion

Crystal structures

Determination of the structure by X-ray crystallography reveals that the complex consists of zero-dimensional lattices of [Cu₃(pdc)₂(H₂O)₈]^. 4DMF trimers. The trinuclear unit is nearly co-planar which contains a six-coordinate and two five-coordinate Cu(II) ions bridged by two dcp ^3- trianions. The basic trinuclear unit does not link to the adjacent trimers, which results in the formation of the crystallographic 0-D lattices. Four DMF molecules link to the unit through hydrogen bonds. Compared to [Cu₃(dcp)₂(H₂O)₄], in which a copper atom lies on a crystallographic inversion center [33], this complex doesn't have an inversion center. Here, dcp^3- coordinates as a tetradentate ligand.

As shown in figure 1, Cu (1) atom is six-coordinated and has a distorted octahedron geometry. A pyrazole nitrogen N (1) and a carboxylate oxygen O (2) from one carboxylate group of a pdc ^3- trianion occupy two coordination sites on Cu (1). Four further positions are occupied by oxygens from four H₂O molecules. The angles subtended the Cu(1) range from 89.70(15).º to 92.62(16).º The distortion from octahedral geometry of the Cu(1) site is a result of ligand constraints and the Jahn-Teller effect. the latter is responsible for the elongated axial bonds.

In the case of the central pentacoordinate copper in the trimeric unit, the geometry of Cu(2) atom is a transmutative square-pyramidal which is defined by Cu(2), O(4), O(5), N(2), N(3) and O(12). Two pyrazole nitrogen atoms [Cu(2)-N(3), 1.996(4) Å; Cu(2)-N(2) 1.983(4) Å], and Two carboxylate oxygen atoms [Cu(2)-O(5), 1.962(4) Å; Cu(2)-O(4) 1.961(4) Å], from pdc ^3- ligands form the distorted equatorial plane around Cu(2) with a chelating angle O(5)-Cu(2)-N(3) of only 82.10(16)ºC. The remaining axial coordination sites are occupied by an oxygen from a H₂O molecule [Cu(2)-O(12), 2.247(4) Å].

The Cu(3) atom has a pentacoordinate geometry which is intermediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal. A pdc ^3- ligand chelate to Cu(3) through a carbaxylate oxygen and adjacent nitrogen atoms(O(7)/N(4)), occupying two coordination sites of Cu(3), the others are taken by three H₂O molecules(O(3),O(14),O(15) ).

As shown in Figure 2, strong intermolecular hydrogen bond exists between the trimers, resulting in an one-dimensional supramolecular ribbon, which is strengthened by π-π stacking interaction. Further hydrogen-bonding among the ribbons leads to a two-dimensional H-bonded sheet (Fig.3). A sandwich structure has been formed in the whole three-dimensional stacking (see Fig.4). The DMF guest in the title compound disposed between the mutually parallel planes of two planes of Fig. 3 and is coordinated to each of them by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and other interactions.

The structure of the complex is shown in an undulated one-dimension ribbon constructed by hydrogen bonds and π...π stacking interactions, Fig. 2. Undoubtedly, the hydrogen bonding plays important roles in the stabilization of the title complex. Two neighboring HMA⁺ cations are held together by N–H N hydrogen bond, meanwhile, there are strong π...π stacking interactions between two HMA⁺ cations from adjacent layers to yield molecular ribbon. HMA⁺ cations in adjacent unit cell related by an inverse centre are connected by pairs to form undulate ribbons via R²₂(8) ring motifs, each composed of two pairs of N–H N hydrogen bonds [ N(7) N(10) #6 2.994(6)Å, N(2) N(6) #7 3.048(7)Å]. The R²₂ (8) hydrogen-bonded motifs involving N–H N hydrogen bonds has been found in the crystal structures of many MA complexes [27,29, 37-39].

As we can see from Fig. 3, the ribbons are held together in a three-dimensional microporous arrangement by the intense intermolecular (N–H O and O–H O) hydrogen bonds. Between the protonated aromatic/amino nitrogen atoms of MA and the sulfate oxygenatoms, the ribbons of HMA⁺ cations and SO₄^2- anions are interconnected alternatively, giving rise to a 14-membered hydrogen bonded R³₃(14) ring motifs[ N(3) N(11) 3.093(7) Å, N(1) O(2) 2.849(6) Å, N(8) O(3) 2.989(6) Å] to generate corrugated layers. Interestingly, the O(2) and O(3) atoms of SO₄^2- bridge two amino hydrogen atoms from two different HMA⁺ cations respectively, while O(1) and O(4) atoms connect two triazine nitrogen atoms from two different HMA⁺ cations and two oxygen atoms from two water molecules [O(1) O(6) 2.815(7) Å, O(2) #1 O(6) 2.904(7) Å]. The adjacent ribbons are also hydrogen-bonded through water molecules to the amino groups [N(2) O(6) #8 3.025(7) Å, N3 O(6) #4 2.941(7) Å]. Such ribbons extend into a layer structure. These layers are stacking into a 3-D microporous network (Fig. 3) by (N–H O, N–H N, O–H O) hydrogen bonds. Meanwhile, there are strong π...π stacking interactions between the HMA⁺ cations from adjacent layers, which are found to consolidate the undulated ribbons.

Thermal analysis

DMF molecules linked to the trimmer by weak hydrogen bonds. This action is weaker than the coordination action of water molecules and pdc^3- trianions obviously. Compare to tetradentate pdc^3- l trianions, water molecules only coordinate copper(II) ion by one oxygen atom. So, the decomposed order is DMF, water and pdc^3- ligand.

The thermal behavior of the title coordination compound has been deduced from the TG analysis in nitrogen atmosphere. A crystalline sample was heated at a constant rate of 10ºC/min from 40 to 800ºC. The sample lost weight immediately. Just as what we have been supposed: the weight loss at 50-200 ºC is considered as the loss of four DMF guests in each formula unit 31.0% (calcd 31.3%). And the sheet (see Fig.2) is left. The weight loss at 200-250ºC is considered as the loss of eight ligand water molecules, 15.0% (calcd 15.4%). This means the complex has been disassembled. At 250-650ºC, there is a obviously exothermic progress. It is ascribed to decomposition of the organic acid ligands.

The thermal decomposition behavior of the title supramolecular complex has been followed up to 800 ºC by the thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis. The TGA curve shows that the complex is stable up to 500 ºC, above which its structure begins to collapse. The TGA and DSC curves exhibit a continuous weigh loss, indicating a multi-step decomposition of the complex.

The TGA curve shows that the weight loss of 9.54% in the temperature range 50-310 ºC can be attributed to the removal of two water molecules (Cacld 9.3%). The violently exothermic peak between 310-400 ºC is attributed to the degradation of the sulfate dianion with the weight loss of 24.24% which is in good agreement with the result obtained from X-ray diffraction (24.85% for one sulfate dianion). The weight loss of 35.11% in the temperature range 400-500 ºC is in agreement with the weight loss calculated for the loss of melamine molecules (Calcd 32.64%). The weight drops off sharply between 500 and 610 ºC attributed to framework decomposition. The decomposition process of the complex ends at around 650 ºC.

The DSC curve display three endothermic peaks at 135, 355 and 490 ºC due to the elimination of water molecule, sulfate dianion, MA, respectively, and a exothermic peak at 610 ºC which is ascribed to decomposition of melamine cations. The TGA and DSC curves reveal the intensity of interactions in the complex (Water molecules < sulfate dianion <MA). According to the DSC curve, Water molecules and sulfate dianion link to MA only with hydrogen bonds. When the complex is heated, water molecule is vaporized first, then is sulfate dianion. This phenomena indicates that the hydrogen bonding interaction of water molecules is much weaker than sulfate dianion. The MA cation disconnect last at 500 ºC due to the intense hydrogen bonding and aromatic π-π stacking interaction between MA cations.

Conclusions

A trimer complex of [Cu₃(pdc)₂(H₂O)₈]^. 4DMF is prepared by solution method. Its structure is a zero-dimensional lattice. The weak interactions (hydrogen bonding and aromatic π-π stacking interaction) between each unit result in a sandwich supramolecule .

A new MA-sulfate cocrystal is obtained, which exhibits interesting hydrogen bonding patterns and 3-D microporous structure. This kind of hydrogen bonding patterns and 3-D microporous structure is rarely seen in other similar MA complexes. There are three kinds of hydrogen bonds (N-H O, N–H N, O-H O) which sustain the microporous structure. The hydrogen-bonding patterns include the commonly observed R²₂(8) ring motifs and the less commonly observed R³₃(14) ring motifs. The results demonstrate that the main driving forces in the formation of the final 3D structures are intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The thermal analysis supports the results of this supramolecular structure and reveals the intensity of interactions in the complex.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge financial support by the S & T project of Zhejiang Province (No. 2007C31035), the S & T project of Wenzhou (No. G20060097 and G20060090), and the Nation Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 50772075 and 50472018).

Supporting Information Available

CCDC-628830 contains the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper. These data can be obtained free of charge at www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/conts/ retrieving.html [or from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center, 12, Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, UK; fax: (internat.) +44-1223/336-033; E-mail: [e-mail]].

Received 26 February 2008

Accepted 28 April 2008

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  17 July 2008
• Date of issue
  2008

History

• Received
  26 Feb 2008
• Accepted
  28 Apr 2008