The seventh blind test of crystal structure prediction: structure generation methods.

A seventh blind test of crystal structure prediction was organized by the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre featuring seven target systems of varying complexity: a silicon and iodine-containing molecule, a copper coordination complex, a near-rigid molecule, a cocrystal, a polymorphic small agrochemical, a highly flexible polymorphic drug candidate, and a polymorphic morpholine salt. In this first of two parts focusing on structure generation methods, many crystal structure prediction (CSP) methods performed well for the small but flexible agrochemical compound, successfully reproducing the experimentally observed crystal structures, while few groups were successful for the systems of higher complexity. A powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) assisted exercise demonstrated the use of CSP in successfully determining a crystal structure from a low-quality PXRD pattern.

Delocalized quinolinium-macrocyclic peptides, an atypical chemotype for CNS penetration.

Macrocyclic drugs can address an increasing range of molecular targets but enabling central nervous system (CNS) access to these drugs has been viewed as an intractable problem. We designed and synthesized a series of quinolinium-modified cyclosporine derivatives targeted to the mitochondrial cyclophilin D protein. Modification of the cation to enable greater delocalization was confirmed by x-ray crystallography of the cations.

Enzyme-like Acyl Transfer Catalysis in a Bifunctional Organic Cage.

Amide-based organic cage cavities are, in principle, ideal enzyme active site mimics. Yet, cage-promoted organocatalysis has remained elusive, in large part due to synthetic accessibility of robust and functional scaffolds. Herein, we report the acyl transfer catalysis properties of robust, hexaamide cages in organic solvent.

Solid State and Solution Structures of Lanthanide Nitrate Complexes of Tris-(1-napthylphosphine oxide).

Coordination complexes of lanthanide metals with tris-1-naphthylphosphine oxide (NapPO, L) have not been previously reported in the literature. We describe here the formation of lanthanide(III) nitrate complexes Ln(NO)L (Ln = Eu to Lu) and the structures of [Ln(NO)L]·2L (Ln = Eu, Dy, Ho, Er) and L. The core structure of the complexes is an eight-coordinate [Ln(NO)L] with the third and fourth ligands H-bonded via their oxygen atoms to one of the naphthyl rings.

Stellated cuboctahedron of Fe.

The solvothermal reaction of FeCl ⋅ 4HO and HTBC[4] in a basic dmf/EtOH solution affords an [Fe ] Keplerate conforming to a stellated cuboctahedron. Magnetic and heat capacity measurements reveal spin frustration effects arising from the high symmetry. A crossover between inverse and direct magnetocaloric effects is observed at ~10 K for applied-field changes lower than 3 T.

Statistical optimization of guest uptake in crystalline sponges: grading structural outcomes.

Investigation of the analyte soaking conditions on the crystalline sponge {[(ZnI)(tpt)·x(solvent)]} method using a statistical design of experiments model has provided fundamental insights into the influence of experimental variables. This approach focuses on a single analyte tested via 60 experiments (20 unique conditions) to identify the main effects for success and overall guest structure quality. This is employed as a basis for the development of a novel molecular structure grading system that enables the quantification of guest exchange quality.

Crystal structure of 4,4'-(disulfanedi-yl)dipyridinium chloride triiodide.

4,4'-(Disulfanedi-yl)dipyridinium chloride triiodide, CHNS ·Cl·I , () was synthesized by reaction of 4,4'-di-pyridyl-disulfide with ICl in a 1:1 molar ratio in di-chloro-methane solution. The structural characterization of by SC-XRD analysis was supported by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and FT-Raman spectroscopic measurements.

Tuning Excited State Character in Iridium(III) Photosensitizers and Its Influence on TTA-UC.

A series of mixed ligand, photoluminescent organometallic Ir(III) complexes have been synthesized to incorporate substituted 2-phenyl-1-naphtho[2,3-]imidazole cyclometalating ligands. The structures of three example complexes were categorically confirmed using X-ray crystallography each sharing very similar structural traits including evidence of interligand hydrogen bond contacts that account for the shielding effects observed in the H NMR spectra. The structural iterations of the cyclometalated ligand provide tuning of the principal electronic transitions that determine the visible absorption and emission properties of the complexes: emission can be tuned in the visible region between 550 and 610 nm and with triplet lifetimes up to 10 μs.

Programmable synthesis of organic cages with reduced symmetry.

Integrating symmetry-reducing methods into self-assembly methodology is desirable to efficiently realise the full potential of molecular cages as hosts and catalysts. Although techniques have been explored for metal organic (coordination) cages, rational strategies to develop low symmetry organic cages remain limited. In this article, we describe rules to program the shape and symmetry of organic cage cavities by designing edge pieces that bias the orientation of the amide linkages.

Luminescent Pt(II) Complexes Using Unsymmetrical Bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolate Analogues.

A series of ligands based upon a 1,3-diimino-isoindoline framework have been synthesized and investigated as pincer-type (NNN) chelates for Pt(II). The synthetic route allows different combinations of heterocyclic moieties (including pyridyl, thiazole, and isoquinoline) to yield new unsymmetrical ligands. Pt()Cl complexes were obtained and characterized using a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques: H and C NMR, IR, UV-vis and luminescence spectroscopies, elemental analyses, high-resolution mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and one example via X-ray crystallography which showed a distorted square planar environment at Pt(II).

A redox switch allows binding of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions in the cyanobacterial iron-binding protein FutA from .

The marine cyanobacterium is a main contributor to global photosynthesis, whilst being limited by iron availability. Cyanobacterial genomes generally encode two different types of FutA iron-binding proteins: periplasmic FutA2 ABC transporter subunits bind Fe(III), while cytosolic FutA1 binds Fe(II). Owing to their small size and their economized genome ecotypes typically possess a single gene.

Alkyl chain functionalised Ir(iii) complexes: synthesis, properties and behaviour as emissive dopants in microemulsions.

Six iridium(iii) complexes of the general form [Ir(C^N)(N^N)]X (where C^N = cyclometalating ligand; N^N = disubstituted 2,2'-bipyridine), and incorporating alkyl chains of differing lengths (C8, C10, C12), have been synthesised and characterised. The complexes have been characterised using a variety of methods including spectroscopies (NMR, IR, UV-Vis, luminescence) and analytical techniques (high resolution mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction). Two dodecyl-functionalised complexes were studied for their behaviour in aqueous solutions.

Synthesis and crystal structures of two related Co and Mn complexes: a celebration of collaboration between the universities of Dakar and Southampton.

We report the synthesis and structures of two transition-metal complexes involving 2-(2-hy-droxy-phen-yl)benzimidazole (2hpbi - a ligand of inter-est for its photoluminescent applications), with cobalt, namely, bis-[μ-2-(1-1,3-benzo-diazol-2-yl)phenolato]bis-[ethanol(thio-cyanato)-cobalt(II)], [Co(CHNO)(NCS)(CHO)], (), and manganese, namely, bis-[μ-2-(1-1,3-benzo-diazol-2-yl)phenolato]bis-{[2-(1-1,3-benzo-diazol-2-yl)phenolato](thio-cyanato)-mang-an-ese(III)} dihydrate, [Mn(CHNO)(NCS)]·2HO, (). These structures are two recent examples of a fruitful collaboration between researchers at the Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination Organique/Organic Coordination Chemistry Laboratory (LCCO), University of Dakar, Senegal and the National Crystallography Service (NCS), School of Chemistry, University Southampton, UK. This productive partnership was forged through meeting at Pan-African Conferences on Crystallography and quickly grew as the plans for the AfCA (African Crystallographic Association) developed.

Halogen bonding with carbon: directional assembly of non-derivatised aromatic carbon systems into robust supramolecular ladder architectures.

Carbon, although the central element in organic chemistry, has been traditionally neglected as a target for directional supramolecular interactions. The design of supramolecular structures involving carbon-rich molecules, such as arene hydrocarbons, has been limited almost exclusively to non-directional π-stacking, or derivatisation with heteroatoms to introduce molecular assembly recognition sites. As a result, the predictable assembly of non-derivatised, carbon-only π-systems using directional non-covalent interactions remains an unsolved fundamental challenge of solid-state supramolecular chemistry.

2-(Thienyl)quinoxaline derivatives and their application in Ir(III) complexes yielding tuneable deep red emitters.

The synthesis and characterisation of eleven different 2-(thienyl)quinoxaline species that incorporate different points of functionality, including at the thiophene or quinoxaline rings, are described. These species display variable fluorescence properties in the visible region ( = 401-491 nm) depending upon the molecular structures and extent of conjugation. The series of 2-(thienyl)quinoxaline species were then investigated as cyclometalating agents for Ir(III) to yield [Ir(C^N)(bipy)]PF (where C^N = the cyclometalated ligand; bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine).

Chirality: a key parameter in chemical probes.

Many small molecule bioactive and marketed drugs are chiral. They are often synthesised from commercially available chiral building blocks. However, chirality is sometimes incorrectly assigned by manufacturers with consequences for the end user ranging from: experimental irreproducibility, wasted time on synthesising the wrong product and reanalysis, to the added cost of purchasing the precursor and resynthesis of the correct stereoisomer.

N=8 Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons: Solution Synthesis and High Charge Carrier Mobility.

Structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have emerged as promising candidates for nanoelectronic devices. Low band gap (<1 eV) GNRs are particularly important when considering the Schottky barrier in device performance. Here, we demonstrate the first solution synthesis of 8-AGNRs through a carefully designed arylated polynaphthalene precursor.

Ammonium -(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate (AmPicOxam): A Novel Precursor of Calcium Oxalate Coating for Carbonate Stone Substrates.

Ammonium -(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate (AmPicOxam), synthesized from -methyl--(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate, was spectroscopically and structurally characterized and assayed as a novel precursor for the protection and consolidation of carbonate stone substrates. An in-depth characterization of treated and untreated biomicritic limestone and white Carrara marble samples was carried out by means of SEM microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, helium pycnometry, determination of water transport properties, and pull-off tests. The improved solubility (1.

A systematic study of the interplay between guest molecule structure and intermolecular interactions in crystalline sponges.

Utilization of the crystalline sponge {[(ZnI)(tpt)·x(solvent)]} method has enabled characterization of a novel family of synthetic organic oils. The systematic structural differences and diversity of functional groups offered by 13 related molecular adsorbates provide a detailed quantitative understanding of the relationship between the guest structure, its conformation, and the type of intermolecular interactions adopted with neighbouring guests and the host framework. This analysis is extended to assess the connection of these factors to the resulting quality indicators for a particular molecular structure elucidation.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Copper Complexes Containing "R-Substituted" Bis-7-Azaindolyl Borate Ligands.

The coordination chemistry of scorpionate ligands based on borates containing the 7-azaindole heterocycle is relatively unexplored. Thus, there is a requirement to further understand their coordination chemistry. This article outlines the synthesis and characterization of a family of complexes containing anionic flexible scorpionate ligands of the type [(R)(bis-7-azaindolyl)borohydride] ([]), where R = Me, Ph or naphthyl.

β,β-Directly Linked Porphyrin Rings: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties, and Fullerene Binding.

Cyclic porphyrin oligomers have been studied as models for photosynthetic light-harvesting antenna complexes and as potential receptors for supramolecular chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis of unprecedented β,β-directly linked cyclic zinc porphyrin oligomers, the trimer () and tetramer (), by Yamamoto coupling of a 2,3-dibromoporphyrin precursor. Their three-dimensional structures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Structural (XRD) Characterization and an Analysis of H-Bonding Motifs in Some Tetrahydroxidohexaoxidopentaborate(1-) Salts of -Substituted Guanidinium Cations.

The synthesis and characterization of six new substituted guanidium tetrahydroxidohexaoxidopentaborate(1-) salts are reported: [C(NH)(NHMe)][BO(OH)]·HO (), [C(NH)(NH{NH})][BO(OH)] (), [C(NH)(NMe)][BO(OH)] (), [C(NH)(NMe)][BO(OH)] (), [C(NHMe)(NMe)][BO(OH)]·B(OH) (), and [TBDH][BO(OH)] () (TBD = 1,5,7-triazabicyclo [4.4.0]dec-5-ene).