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There is a need to develop rapidly responsive chemical sensors for the detection of low concentrations of volatile organic solvents (VOCs). Platinum pincer complexes have shown promise as sensors because of their colours and vapochromic and solvatochromic properties, that may be related to the non-covalent interactions between the pincer complexes and the guest VOCs. Here we report an investigation into a series of Pt(II) complexes based on the 1,3-di(pyridine)benzene tridentate (N⁁C⁁N) skeleton with the formula [Pt(N⁁C(R)⁁N)(CN)] (R = C(O)Me 2, C(O)OEt 3, C(O)OPh 4) with the fourth coordination site occupied by a cyanide ligand. Solid-state samples of the complexes have been tested with a range of volatiles including methanol, ethanol, acetone, dichloromethane and water, and while 2 displays thermochromism, 3 and 4 display rapidly reversible vapochromism and solvatochromism. These results are correlated with X-ray powder and single crystal X-ray structural data including an assessment of the crystal packing and the void space in the crystalline space. The cyanide ligand and the R substituents are involved in hydrogen bonding that creates the voids within the structures and interact with the solvent molecules that influence the Pt⋯Pt separation in the crystalline state.

Cellulose microfibrils in conifers, as in other woody materials, are aggregated into loose bundles called macrofibrils. The centre-to-centre spacing of the microfibrils within these macrofibrils can be estimated from the position of a broad diffraction peak in small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) after deuteration. A known spacing of 3.0 nm, increasing with moisture content, is consistent with direct microfibril to microfibril contact. However recent evidence indicates that conifer microfibrils are partially coated with bound xylan chains, and possibly with lignin and galactoglucomannan, implying a wider centre-to-centre spacing as found in angiosperm wood. Delignification of spruce wood allowed a weak SANS peak to be observed without measurable change in spacing. By deuterating spruce wood in mildly alkaline D2O and then re-equilibrating with ambient H2O, deuterium atoms were trapped in a position that gave a 3.8 nm microfibril spacing under dry conditions as in angiosperm wood, instead of the 3.0 nm spacing normally observed in conifers. After conventional vapour deuteration of spruce wood a minor peak at 3.8 nm could be fitted in addition to the 3.0 nm peak. These observations are consistent with some microfibril segments being separated by bound xylan chains as in angiosperms, in addition to the microfibril segments that are in direct contact.

Four novel ON donor Schiff bases (E)-3-((4-phenoxyphenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol (HL1),(E)-3-((4-(4-biphenyloxy)phenyliminomethyl)benzene-1,2-diol (HL2), (E)-3-((4-naphthoxyphenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol (HL3), (E)-3-((4-(2-naphthoxy)phenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol (HL4) and their copper(II) complexes bis((E)-3-((4-phenoxyphenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol) copper(II) (Cu(L1)2) bis((E)-3-((4-(4-biphenyloxy)phenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol) copper(II) (Cu(L2)2), bis((E)-3-((4-naphthoxyphenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol) copper(II) (Cu(L3)2), bis((E)-3-((4-(2-naphthoxy)phenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol) copper(II) (Cu(L4)2) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (FTIR, NMR, UV–visible) and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of HL1, HL2, HL3, and HL4 have been determined, which reveal intramolecular N-H⋯O (HL1, HL2, HL3, and HL4) hydrogen bonds in the solid state. Keto-amine and enol-imine tautomerism is exhibited by the Schiff bases in solid and solution states. The Schiff bases and their copper(II) complexes have been screened for their biological activities. In antimicrobial assays (antibacterial and antifungal), HL4 showed promising results against all strains through dual inhibition property while the rest of the compounds showed activity against selective strains. On the other hand, in cytotoxic, DPPH, and inhibition of hydroxyl (OH) free radical-induced DNA damage assays, the results were found significantly correlated with each other, i.e. the ligands HL1 and HL2 showed moderate activity while their complexes Cu(L1)2 and Cu(L2)2 exhibited prominent increase in activity. As the results of these assays are supporting each other, it represents the strong positive correlation and antioxidant nature of investigated compounds.

A family of multicomponent haloaniline/3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid molecular crystals with striking red-to-colourless temperature-induced thermochromism is identified and characterised. Four thermochromic pairs of 1 : 1 neutral cocrystals and ionic salts are identified which, unusually, grow concomitantly under the same conditions. The coloured cocrystals are found to be metastable, kinetically trapped during crystallisation, and convert via proton transfer to the more stable salt forms on heating. The colour of the neutral form and the temperature of the transition can be tuned through the halogen and by chemical substitution on the aniline component. From structural characterisation and first-principles modelling, we elucidate the origin of the metastability of the cocrystals and link structural changes through the phase transition to the striking visible colour change. By deliberately exploiting the uncertainty of the salt-cocrystal continuum, where the small pK a difference between components enables significant solid-state structural rearrangements induced by proton transfer, this work highlights a novel design paradigm for engineering new organic thermochromics with tailored physical properties.

A series of molecular complexes of the proton sponge 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) with mono-substituted halobenzoic acids are reported, illustrating the designed exploitation of the characteristics of the proton sponge to induce short, charge-assisted hydrogen bonds in a predictable and reproducible manner. In every case, a DMAN molecule extracts a proton from the carboxylic acid group of the benzoic acid, as a result of which a recurrent supramolecular unit between a neutral and a deprotonated benzoic acid molecule is formed featuring an extremely short, strong O-H•••O hydrogen bond, within a predominant crystallisation ratio of 1:2 (DMAN:benzoic acid).

A total of 18 molecular complexes of chloranilic acid (H2CA) and various isomeric dimethylpyridine (lutidine) bases (B) in a 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 stoichiometric ratio have been prepared and characterised structurally; 10 of the structural determinations used high resolution crystallography. Since proton transfer between the acid and base occurs in all the crystalline forms, they are most appropriately described as salts between the lutidinium cations [BH+] and the chloranilate mono- and dianions [HCA−] and [CA2−]. The formation of bifurcated or non-bifurcated charge-assisted hydrogen bonds is described and the influence of the different functional groups on symmetrical or asymmetrical bifurcated hydrogen bond formation are investigated. Previously unreported salts of the composition [BH+][HCA−] with 2,3- and 3,5-lutidine, and [BH+]2[CA2−] with 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2 ,6- and 3,4-lutidine are reported, as well as di- and trihydrate forms of the latter salt type with 2,4- and 3,4-lutidine respectively. For the 2,4- and 3,5-lutidines only, molecular complexes containing co-existing charged and neutral chloranilic acid molecules are also observed. The charge delocalisation in the chloranilate anions, which has an influence on the hydrogen bond distances, is confirmed by the deformation density plots, atomic net charge calculations and the density at the bond critical points. The QTAIM molecular graphs, which show the presence of bifurcated or non-bifurcated hydrogen bonds, are highly dependent on the exact refinement model. Lattice energy calculations based on the experimental charge densities also show a high dependence on the refinement strategy, while theoretical lattice energy calculations using different approaches provide no consistency in the rank order stabilities. We conclude that neither experimental nor theoretical approaches are currently sufficiently accurate to determine a definitive stability order for such isomeric complexes.

© 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Nine new molecular complexes of the proton sponge 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) with substituted benzoic acid co-formers have been engineered with varying component stoichiometries (1:1, 1:2 or 1:3). These complexes are all ionic in nature, following proton transfer between the acid co-former and DMAN; the extracted proton is held by DMAN in all instances in an intramolecular [N-H⋯N]+ hydrogen bond. A number of structural features are common to all complexes and are found to be tunable in a predictable way using systematic acid co-former substitution. These features include charge-assisted hydrogen bonds formed between acid co-formers in hydrogen bonding motifs consistent with complex stoichiometry, and weak hydrogen bonds which facilitate the crystal packing of DMAN and acid co-former components into a regular motif. Possible crystal structure tuning by co-former substitution can aid the rational design of such materials, offering the potential to target solid-state properties that may be influenced by these interactions.

The A-D fragment of gambieric acids A and C has been synthesized using an asymmetric Tsuji-Trost allylation reaction to couple the two key segments. The A ring fragment has been prepared by a short and highly efficient route involving diastereoselective Lewis acid mediated alkylation of an acetal. Iterative ring-closing metathesis reactions have been used to construct cyclic ethers and assemble the tricyclic B-D fragment.

In this paper we have prepared a series of Ti(IV), Hf(IV) and Al(III) complexes based on bipyrrolidine salan pro-ligands. The Hf(IV) complexes have all been characterised in the solid-state, the chiral ligands coordinate to Hf(IV) in an α-cis manner whereas the meso ligand coordinates in a β-cis geometry. The Hf(IV) complexes are all active for the ROP of rac-lactide in the melt, with the fluxional meso complex affording a strong isotactic bias Pm = 0.84. As expected Hf(3)(OiPr)2 polymerised L-LA faster than rac-LA (kapp = 5.9 x 10-3 mins-1 vs 3.8 x 10-3 mins-1). For Ti(IV) complexes atactic PLA was formed. The salan pro-ligands have also been complexed to Al(III), with the complexes being characterised in the solid and solution state generating a series of novel Al-Me and Al-OiPr species. Al(1)(OiPr) was fluxional on the NMR timescale, whereas Al(3)(OiPr) was locked in solution with no exchange. Interestingly, the Al(III) complexes of 3H2 produce PLA with a very strong heterotactic bias Pr upto 0.87, whereas atactic PLA is produced with 1H2. For Al(3)(OiPr) a linear relationship is observed with Mn and conversion. Experiments with the addition of an equivalent of rac-LA to the selective initiators have also been performed and are discussed.

The structure of cellulose microfibrils in situ in wood from the dicotyledonous (hardwood) species cherry and birch, and the vascular tissue from sunflower stems, was examined by wide-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (WAXS and WANS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Deuteration of accessible cellulose chains followed by WANS showed that these chains were packed at similar spacings to crystalline cellulose, consistent with their inclusion in the microfibril dimensions and with a location at the surface of the microfibrils. Using the Scherrer equation and correcting for considerable lateral disorder, the microfibril dimensions of cherry, birch and sunflower microfibrils perpendicular to the [200] crystal plane were estimated as 3.0, 3.4 and 3.3 nm respectively. The lateral dimensions in other directions were more difficult to correct for disorder but appeared to be 3 nm or less. However for cherry and sunflower, the microfibril spacing estimated by SANS was about 4 nm and was insensitive to the presence of moisture. If the microfibril width was 3 nm as estimated by WAXS, the SANS spacing suggests that a non-cellulosic polymer segment might in places separate the aggregated cellulose microfibrils.

On the way towards the development of a synthetic route aimed at obtaining new methylsilanediol derivatives with an aminocarbonyl group in β to silicon (which may have a potential biological interest), we have synthesized, isolated and purified five diphenylic possible precursors, namely chloromethyl(methyl)diphenylsilane, 2-{[methyl(diphenyl)silyl]methyl}-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, N-[(methyl(diphenyl) silanyl)-methyl]-benzamide, N-[(methyl(diphenyl)silyl)-methyl]-acetamide and N-[(methyl(diphenyl)silyl)-methyl]-formamide. The conformational landscape of the five species in this study are explored by means of DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G∗∗ level. The theoretical molecular structures predicted are confirmed by the reproduction of their respective IR and Raman spectral profiles, that are completely assigned. Some evidence in the vibrational spectra points to the occurrence of conformational mixtures in the samples. Further, single-crystal X-ray diffraction has allowed the elucidation of the crystalline structure of 2-{[methyl(diphenyl)silyl]methyl}-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione.

The known complex [Ni(medpt)(η-1NO2) (η2-ONO)] 1 (medpt = 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine) crystallises in the monoclinic space group P21/m with 1.5 molecules in the asymmetric unit with two different η1-NO ligand environments in the crystal structure. At 298 K the molecule (A) sitting in a general crystallographic site displays a mixture of isomers, 78% of the η1-NO isomer and 22% of an endo-nitrito- (η1-ONO) form. The molecule (B) sitting on a crystallographic mirror plane adopts the η-1NO isomeric form exclusively. However, a variable temperature crystallographic study showed that the two isomers were in equilibrium and upon cooling to 150 K the η1-ONO isomer converted completely to the η1- NO isomer, so that both independent molecules in the asymmetric unit were 100% in the η1-NO form. A kinetic analysis of the equilibrium afforded values of ΔH = -9.6 (±0.4) kJ mol∼1, ΔS = -21.5 (±1.8) J K∼1 mol and EA = -1.6 (±0.05) kJ mol∼1. Photoirradiation of single crystals of1 with 400 nm light, at 100 K, resulted in partial isomerisation of the η1-NO2 isomer to the metastable η-1ONO isomer, with 89% for molecule (A), and 32% for molecule (B). The crystallographic space group also reduced in symmetry to P21 with Z′ = 3. The metastable state existed up to a temperature of 150 K above which temperature it reverted to the ground state. An analysis of the crystal packing in the ground and metastable states suggests that hydrogen bonding is responsible for the difference in the conversion between molecules (A) and (B).

A series of seven 2 : 1 molecular complexes of urea (U) and methyl ureas with di-carboxylic acids (A) are reported, along with the results of their study by variable temperature diffraction. These all contain short, strong O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds and a recurring acid⋯amide heterodimer forming U–A–U synthons. Despite differences in the degree of saturation of the linking C–C groups of the di-carboxylic acids and the single or double methyl substitution of one of the N atoms of the urea, the packing arrangements are remarkably similar in five of the complexes; the exceptions being N-methylurea oxalic acid and N,N-dimethylurea fumaric acid. The five similar molecular complexes all show contraction of one unit cell parameter on increasing temperature due to rearrangements of the weaker interactions which hold together the U–A–U units. The strength of the short, strong O–H⋯O hydrogen bond is shown to be linked both to the length of the connecting bridge between the carboxylic acid groups of the acid, and to the ΔpKa values between the two components.

A series of twelve multi-component molecular crystals of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) piroxicam (PX) have been synthesised and their structures analysed with respect to their supramolecular motifs and degree of intermolecular hydrogen transfer observed on formation of the various complexes. The multi-component crystals of PX formed with a series of basic N-heterocycles are contrasted with those formed with strong haloanilic acids, with PX found to adopt different ionisation states. The effect of the formation of these multi-component molecular crystals on the physical property of solubility, often crucial in API formulation, has been investigated and these solubility determinations are compared with those of the parent PX material. Enhanced solubility is evident in some of the multi-component crystals formed.

Many strong biological materials exist in the form of fibres that are partially crystalline but contain a substantial proportion of disordered domains, which contribute to the mechanical performance but result in broadening of the reflections in the diffraction patterns of such materials and make structure determination difficult. Where multiple forms of disorder are simultaneously present, many of the accepted ways of modelling the influence of disorder on a fibre diffraction pattern are inapplicable. Lateral disorder in cellulose fibrils of flax fibres was characterized by a multi-step approach. First, a scattering component derived from domains less uniformly oriented than the rest was isolated. A second scattering component giving rise to asymmetry in the radial profiles of the equatorial reflections was then quantified and subtracted. This component was associated with domains that could be related to the crystalline cellulose lattice, but with more variable and, on average, wider equatorial d spacings. A further partially oriented component with highly disordered lateral d spacings unrelated to any of the cellulose lattice dimensions was identified. This component may be derived from non-cellulosic polysaccharides. The remaining broadening was then separated into a contribution from disorder within the crystalline lattice, including known disorder in hydrogen bonding, and a Scherrer contribution from the microfibril diameter. The methods described are likely to find applications in the study of both natural and synthetic polymer fibres in which mechanical properties are influenced by disorder.

The synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of four polynuclear iron(III)-containing polynuclear complexes are reported, [Fe6NaO2(HL)2(H2L)2(PhCO2)9]·2MeCN (1·2MeCN), [Fe6NaO2(HL)2(H2L)2(O2CCMe3)9]·2MeCN (2·2MeCN), [Fe8O4(HL)2(O2CC6H4OPh)10(NO3)2]·6MeCN (3·6MeCN) and [Fe12O6(OH)2(HL)2(H2L)2(PhCO2)16(PhCO2H)2]·6MeCN (4·6MeCN) {H3L = 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol, H2NC(CH2OH)3 or Tris}. The flexibility of the ligand, in both binding mode and level of deprotonation, has allowed isolation of complexes with a range of core topologies. All four complexes were prepared using iron oxo-centred carboxylate (pivalate, benzoate or 2-phenoxybenzoate) triangles {Fe3O(O2CR)6}0/+1 as starting materials and combining these with the Tris ligand or the trisodium salt of the ligand. The cores of complexes 1 and 2 are composed of {Fe3O} units; 3 of {Fe4O2} units and 4 of fused {Fe3O} units. Complexes 1 and 2 display a previously unseen core topology in iron-oxo chemistry. The magnetic properties of the complexes are dominated by antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. Magnetic characterization reveals small non-zero spin ground states for 1, 2 and 4 that are not well isolated, while 3 has a spin ground state of zero.

Single crystals of Cu2ZnSnS4 have been produced within sealed quartz ampoules via the chemical vapour transport technique using I2 as the transporting agent. The effects of temperature gradient and I2 load on the crystal habit and composition are considered. Crystals have been analyzed with XRD, SEM, and TEM for compositional and structural uniformities at both microscopic and nanoscopic levels. The synthesized crystals have suitable (I2-load dependent) properties and are useful for further solar absorber structural and physical characterizations. A new chemical vapour transport method based on longitudinally isothermal treatments is attempted. Based on a proposed simplistic mechanism of crystal growth, conditions for crystal enlargement with the new method are envisaged.

The carboxylic acid dimer is a frequently observed intermolecular association used in crystal engineering and design, which can show proton disorder across its hydrogen bonds. Proton disorder in benzoic acid dimers is a dynamic, temperature-dependent process whose reported occurrence is still relatively rare. A combination of variable temperature X-ray and neutron diffraction has been applied to demonstrate the effect of local crystalline environment on both the degree and onset of proton disorder in 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid dimers. Dimers which have significantly asymmetric local intermolecular interactions are found to have a higher onset temperature for occupation of a second hydrogen atom site to be observed, indicating a greater energy asymmetry between the two configurations. Direct visualization of the electron density of hydrogen atoms within these dimers using high resolution X-ray diffraction data to characterize this disorder is shown to provide remarkably good agreement with that derived from neutron data.

A series of monometallic and bimetallic Al(III) complexes with substituted naphthyl based Schiff base ligands have been prepared and characterised. When 1-aminonaphthalene based ligands were reacted with AlMe3 monometallic complexes were isolated, however, with 1,5 and 1,8- diaminonaphthalene based ligands bimetallic complexes were formed. In all cases 4-coordinate tetrahedral Al(III) centres were observed in the solid state and in solution. There was little difference in rate of polymerisation of rac-lactide between the monometallic and bimetallic complexes based on 1,5-diaminonaphthalene. However, for the 1,8-diaminonaphthalene the complex was an order of magnitude faster than the monometallic and the analogous 1,5-system. Moreover, this complex was active at room temperature, which is rare for aluminium initiators, and PLA with a high degree (Pm = 0.82) of isotacticity was observed.

We report a series of 3d-4f complexes {Ln2 Cu3 (H3 L)2 Xn } (X=OAc(-) , Ln=Gd, Tb or X=NO3 (-) , Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) using the 2,2'-(propane-1,3-diyldiimino)bis[2-(hydroxylmethyl)propane-1,3-diol] (H6 L) pro-ligand. All complexes, except that in which Ln=Gd, show slow magnetic relaxation in zero applied dc field. A remarkable improvement of the energy barrier to reorientation of the magnetisation in the {Tb2 Cu3 (H3 L)2 Xn } complexes is seen by changing the auxiliary ligands (X=OAc(-) for NO3 (-) ). This leads to the largest reported relaxation barrier in zero applied dc field for a Tb/Cu-based single-molecule magnet. Ab initio CASSCF calculations performed on mononuclear Tb(III) models are employed to understand the increase in energy barrier and the calculations suggest that the difference stems from a change in the Tb(III) coordination environment (C4v versus Cs ).

A transferable, simple, method for producing previously elusive and novel polymorphic forms of important active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs; paracetamol (acetaminophen), piroxicam and piracetam) is demonstrated. Nitrogen heterocyclic co-molecules are employed to influence the self-assembly crystallisation process in a multi-component environment. Previously unknown solvates have also been synthesised by this method.

Proton behavior within the hydrogen bond (HB) networks of five molecular complexes of the proton sponge DMAN and different organic acids is investigated by single crystal neutron diffraction. The complexes form with either 2:1 (acid:DMAN) or 1:1 stoichiometric ratios and contain common structural motifs. All show proton transfer from an acid to DMAN forming a DMANH+ moiety and hydrogen bonded acid dimers; complexes with halobenzoic acids have acid molecules linked by short, strong, charge-assisted HBs, while all complexes contain a short, strong, intramolecular N-H•••N HB in DMANH+. The hydrogen atom behavior within the short, strong HBs, accurately described from the neutron data, is rationalized in terms of weak interactions in the local crystal environment, with the position of the proton within both sets of short, strong HBs affected by a combination of the weak interactions in the vicinity of the HBs. A correlation is also found between the thermal motion of the bound proton in the N H•••N HB of DMANH+ and nearby oxygen atoms when they are sufficiently close to one another. This work shows that all interactions in the local environment combine to determine the behavior of protons within short, strong HBs and that by taking these interactions into account further control over the crystal structure and properties may be achievable.

Herein we report the synthesis and characterisation of a series of salalen and salan ligands derived from 2-(aminomethyl)piperidine. Depending on the choice of starting salicylaldehyde, a bicyclic salan type ligand (1-3H2) or imino salalen type ligand (4-6H, 7-9H2) were prepared. The ligands were successfully complexed to group 4 metals and aluminium; with hafnium and zirconium octahedral complexes, M(1-3)2, were realised; whilst with aluminium tetrahedral and trigonal bipyramidal complexes, Al(1-9)Mex (x = 1,2), were isolated. The complexes have been characterised in solution via(1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The group 4 complexes were observed to have a fac-fac arrangement of ligands and there were two isomers present when 3H2 was ligated. The imino aluminium complexes Al(7-9)Me were isolated as a mixture of diastereoisomers. The resultant complexes were trialed in the ring opening polymerisation of rac-lactide with both heterotactic and isotactic PLA being demonstrated. Tacticity was found to be dependent on the nature of the ligand and metal used; the M(1-3)2 complexes were generally found to have a heterotactic preference (Pr = 0.67-0.76) and the aluminium polymerisation outcome was dictated more by the steric influence of the ligand, particularly for Al(4/6)Me2/Al(7/9)Me.

In the primary walls of growing plant cells, the glucose polymer cellulose is assembled into long microfibrils a few nanometers in diameter. The rigidity and orientation of these microfibrils control cell expansion; therefore, cellulose synthesis is a key factor in the growth and morphogenesis of plants. Celery (Apium graveolens) collenchyma is a useful model system for the study of primary wall microfibril structure because its microfibrils are oriented with unusual uniformity, facilitating spectroscopic and diffraction experiments. Using a combination of x-ray and neutron scattering methods with vibrational and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we show that celery collenchyma microfibrils were 2.9 to 3.0 nm in mean diameter, with a most probable structure containing 24 chains in cross section, arranged in eight hydrogen-bonded sheets of three chains, with extensive disorder in lateral packing, conformation, and hydrogen bonding. A similar 18-chain structure, and 24-chain structures of different shape, fitted the data less well. Conformational disorder was largely restricted to the surface chains, but disorder in chain packing was not. That is, in position and orientation, the surface chains conformed to the disordered lattice constituting the core of each microfibril. There was evidence that adjacent microfibrils were noncovalently aggregated together over part of their length, suggesting that the need to disrupt these aggregates might be a constraining factor in growth and in the hydrolysis of cellulose for biofuel production.

The synthesis of the C1–C16 framework of the ajudazols has been achieved taking advantage of a highly selective isobenzofuran oxidative rearrangement and a key Stille coupling to introduce the key C14–C15 bond.

A highly interactive research-led learning session for chemistry undergraduates is described, which aims to lead students to an awareness of the applications of crystallography technique through a mentored hands-on crystal structure solution and refinement session. The research-based environment is inherent throughout the 4.5 h program and is emphasized by several features in the learning experience.

Iodo-enamides were synthesised in a single step, in good yield and with complete selectivity from N-formyl imides. The β-iodo-enamides are stable and were converted efficiently into novel geometrically defined β-yn-enamides.

The regioselective alkylation and oxidative rearrangement of isobenzofurans has been achieved to generate substituted 4,8-dihydroxyisochromanones in good yields and with complete regiocontrol.

The multicomponent ternary complex of 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (4-DABA), 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (3,5-DNBA), and 4,4′-bipyridine (BIPY) has been studied by variable temperature X-ray and neutron diffraction. Proton disorder is observed within the 4-DABA homodimers present and quantitatively evaluated from neutron data. The effect of the crystal environment and in particular the pyramidalization of the nitrogen atom within the 4-DABA molecule and the consequential effect on the presence of hydrogen atom disorder are discussed with reference to the previously determined pure 4-DABA structure and the binary cocrystal with 3,5-DNBA.

Multiple temperature single crystal neutron diffraction studies of a new polymorphic form of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and of the isomer 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, are presented, together with static and dynamic solid-state density functional theory calculations. The studies present an unambiguous analysis of the potential for cooperativity and hydrogen atom disorder in the hydrogen bond network of both materials. The neutron diffraction experiments establish clearly that there is no disorder, and hence that no hydrogen bond cooperativity is present in either system at temperatures up to 150 K. The findings are supported by DFT calculations, from which lattice and hydrogen bond configuration energies are also obtained, together with computed vibrational spectra.

Chloranilic acid (2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxybenzoquinone, CA) readily forms molecular complexes with the three methylpyridine (picoline) isomers in both 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 ratios. In each case a predictable hydrogen-bonded supramolecular unit is formed consisting of a P:C:C:P or a P:C:P arrangement for each of the stoichiometric ratios, respectively. At least one proton is transferred from a chloranilic acid molecule to the nitrogen of the picoline in all the structures. The molecules are held together by a series of bifurcated hydrogen bonds in which a large degree of variation in the directionality can be observed. The proton depleted chloranilate ions show a delocalisation of charge across the entire molecule in the presence of highly bifurcated hydrogen bonds. The variation of the supramolecular units is discussed with particular reference to the degree of bifurcation in the hydrogen bonds.

The crystal structure of 4-chloronitrobenzene, C(6)H(4)ClNO(2), a material that exhibits disorder in the solid state, is re-examined using multiple-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Our results show a marked improvement on previous crystal structure determinations and our comprehensive multiple temperature measurements help to rationalize the structural anomalies. 4-Chloronitrobenzene exhibits twofold orientational disorder of the NO(2)/Cl substituents, with the molecule lying across an inversion centre. There is also evidence of large thermal motion, which exists at all temperatures and reflects the presence of significant disorder in this material. The nitro group shows possible libration, with one O atom exhibiting larger thermal motion than the other across the whole temperature range. This is explained by a difference in hydrogen-bonding environment.

Analysis of neutron and high-resolution X-ray diffraction data on form (III) of carbamazepine at 100 K using the atoms in molecules (AIM) topological approach afforded excellent agreement between the experimental results and theoretical densities from the optimized gas-phase structure and from multipole modelling of static theoretical structure factors. The charge density analysis provides experimental confirmation of the partially localized π-bonding suggested by the conventional structural formula, but the evidence for any significant C—N π bonding is not strong. Hirshfeld atom refinement (HAR) gives H atom positional and anisotropic displacement parameters that agree very well with the neutron parameters. X-ray and neutron diffraction data on the dihydrate of carbemazepine strongly indicate a disordered orthorhombic crystal structure in the space groupCmca, rather than a monoclinic crystal structure in space groupP21/c. This disorder in the dihydrate structure has implications for both experimental and theoretical studies of polymorphism.

Experimental studies of a range of molecular materials containing short, strong hydrogen bonding motifs are presented, with a particular focus on the determination of the hydrogen atom parameters in these materials under non-ambient and varying external conditions. Various experimental techniques have been developed and exploited, including the implementation of single crystal neutron diffraction on single crystals at pressures of up to 5 kbar and temperatures down to 30 K, the use of a multiple-crystal technique to facilitate data collection, and the exploitation of X-ray methods based on the imaging potential of Fourier techniques on evolving structures which have proven to be unexpectedly valuable in this context. The parallel application of advanced computational methods to the understanding of molecular structure in the solid state has also formed an important strand of this work. The power of modern neutron single crystal diffraction in structural studies of this nature is emphasised. To cite this article: C.C. Wilson, L.H. Thomas, C. R. Chimie 8 (2005).

The symmetric hydrogen bond in potassium hydrogen maleate has been re-investigated by diffraction and computational methods. Single crystal neutron diffraction under varying temperature (30-295 K) and pressure (ambient-4 kbar) confirmed the crystallographically-constrained symmetric disposition of the hydrogen atom in the short, strong hydrogen bond for each of eight sets of (p, T) conditions. Plane-wave DFT calculations show the hydrogen atom still to occupy this symmetric position even when crystallographic symmetry is removed, in stark contrast to the results from isolated molecule ab initio calculations. These results demonstrate that the symmetric (or close to symmetric) nature of this hydrogen bond is intrinsic

In methanol under solvothermal conditions, we show how the nuclearity of the complex can be tuned from a monomer [CrIII(H3L)Cl] (1) to a tetramer [CrIII4(H2L)4] (2) with an unusual twisted {M4O4} core topology {Bis–tris, H5L = (HOCH2CH2)2NC(CH2OH)3}. The magnetic data for 2 can be fitted to a simple 1J model with J = − 20.25(5) cm− 1.

A simple route to crystallization of the pharmaceutically important paracetamol form II is reported. The method is based around multicomponent crystallization techniques, involving various second components containing carboxylic acid groups and a range of solvents. These crystallization experiments do not produce multicomponent molecular complexes, but instead they provide the conditions in which the metastable paracetamol form II is reliably produced in 100% yields and with stability of greater than one year. To date, batches of paracetamol form II have been produced easily on the 100 mg scale with clear potential for bulk production.

Herein we report the synthesis and characterisation of a series of Zr(iv) 2,2'-bipyrrolidine-salan derived complexes and their exploitation for the ring opening polymerisation of rac-lactide to afford highly isotactically enriched polymers.

New {TbCu3} and {DyCu3} single-molecule magnets (SMMs) containing a low-symmetry Ln(III) center (shape measurements relative to a trigonal dodecahedron and biaugmented trigonal prism are 2.2-2.3) surrounded by three Cu(II) metalloligands are reported. SMM behavior is confirmed by frequency-dependent out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals and single-crystal temperature and sweep rate dependent hysteresis loops. The ferromagnetic exchange interactions between the central Ln(III) ion and the three Cu(II) ions could be accurately measured by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy and modeled effectively. The excitations observed by INS correspond to flipping of Cu(II) spins and appear at energies similar to the thermodynamic barrier for relaxation of the magnetization, ~15-20 K, and are thus at the origin of the SMM behavior. The magnetic quantum number M(tot) of the cluster ground state of {DyCu3} is an integer, whereas it is a half-integer for {TbCu3}, which explains their vastly different quantum tunneling of the magnetization behavior despite similar energy barriers.

Six molecular complexes resulting from co-crystallisation experiments of 4-iodoaniline or the related 4-iodo-2-methylaniline with dinitrobenzoic acids are reported. The individual components are not coloured or very pale in colour, but when molecular complexes are formed combining the two, vividly red crystals are obtained when layered crystal structures prevail. Where proton transfer results in completely ionic co-components, colourless crystals are formed. Molecular disorder is also found to favour layered, coloured crystals. In the pair of thermochromic molecular complexes comprised of 4-iodo-2-methylaniline with 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, proton transfer from one molecule to the other is shown to result in a colour change from red to colourless.

The synthesis and crystal structures of a series of six magnesium pyridinecarboxylic and dicarboxylic acid complexes are reported. These complexes have been prepared to establish the nature of the hydrogen-bonding within this series and to investigate the potential of using these complexes as precursors in the self-assembly of network materials. Two Mg picolinic acid complexes (Mg1, Mg2) display a 1:2 metal:ligand ratio and are polymorphic. A Mg isonicotinic acid complex (Mg3) is a constitutional isomer of Mg1 and Mg2, while a 1:1 Mg picolinic acid complex (Mg4) is also reported and compared to the other members of the series. The set of complexes reported is completed by the synthesis and structural characterisation of two complexes containing the 2,4- pyridinedicarboxylic acid (2,4pdca) ligand, both a 1:1 (Mg5) and 1:2 (Mg6) Mg 2,4pdca acid complex, in which the presence of the additional carboxylate functionality provides clearer potential to form materials with extended network structures.

4-Phenoxyphenol crystallises to yield discrete ~60 Å(3) cavities that are capable of enclathrating small solvent molecules; the cavities are capped by constricted 6-membered hydrogen-bonded rings and these potential apertures do not appear to facilitate gated porosity when the material is subjected to static CO2 pressure.

Controlled introduction of proton transfer into the design of a series of molecular complexes is described, delivering the systematic production of ionic molecular complexes (molecular salts). The controlled production of molecular salts has relevance as a potential strategy in the design of pharmaceutical materials. In nine molecular complexes consisting of bromanilic acid with the N-heterocyclic compounds 2-, 3- and 4-picoline [bis(2/3/4-methylpyridinium) 2,5-dibromo-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,4-diolate, 2C6H8N+·C6Br2O42−], 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- and 3,5-lutidine [2,3/2,4/2,5/3,5-dimethylpyridinium 2,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, C7H10N+·C6HBr2O4−], and 3-bromo-4-methylpyridine [3-bromo-4-methylpyridinium 2,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, C6H7BrN+·C6HBr2O4−] and 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine [2-bromo-3-methylpyridine–2,5-dibromo-3,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (1/1), C6H6BrN·C6H2Br2O4], proton transfer occurs readily between the bromanilic acid molecule and the N heteroatom of the pyridine ring, in all cases producing a charge-assisted bifurcated N—H...O hydrogen bond. This reinforces the value of this motif as a design tool in the crystal engineering of such complexes. The protonation state (and stoichiometry) significantly affect the supramolecular synthons obtained, but 1:2 stoichiometries reliably give rise to PBP synthons and 1:1 stoichiometries to PBBP synthons (where P indicates a methylpyridine co-molecule and B a bromanilic acid molecule). The influence of halogen interactions on the wider crystal packing is also discussed, with C—H...Br and Br...O interactions the most prevalent; only one Br...Br interaction is found.

The enantioselective total syntheses of 10 cladiellin natural products have been completed, starting from the known allylic alcohol (+)-14, which can be prepared in large quantities. The bridged tricyclic core of the cladiellins has been constructed via three ring-forming reactions: (i) an intramolecular reductive cyclization between an aldehyde and an unsaturated ester, mediated by samarium(II) iodide, to form a tetrahydropyranol; (ii) reaction of a metal carbenoid, generated from a diazo ketone, with an ether to produce an ylide-like intermediate that rearranges to produce E- or Z-oxabicyclo[6.2.1]-5-undecen-9-one; and (iii) a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction to construct the third ring found in the core structure of the cladiellins. The key ring-forming reaction, in which a diazo ketone is converted into a bridged bicyclic ether, can be tuned to give either of the isomeric oxabicyclo[6.2.1]-5-undecen-9-ones as the major product by switching from a copper to a rhodium catalyst and selecting the appropriate reaction conditions. The tricyclic products obtained from the three-step sequence involving the Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction can be employed as advanced intermediates to prepare a wide range of cladiellin natural products.

The phenomenon of solid-state proton migration within molecular complexes containing short hydrogen bonds is investigated in two dimethylurea-oxalic acid complexes. Extensive characterisation by both X-ray and neutron diffraction shows that proton migration along the hydrogen bond can be induced in these complexes as a function of temperature. This emphasises the subtle features of the hydrogen bond potential well in such short hydrogen bonded complexes, both intrinsically and in the effect of the local crystalline environment. Based on these findings, the synthesis and analysis of a series of solid-state molecular complexes is shown to be a potential route to designing materials with tuneable proton migration effects.