Efficient light-induced phase transitions in halogen-bonded liquid crystals
Here, we present a new family of light-responsive, fluorinated supramolecular liquid crystals (LCs) showing efficient and reversible light-induced LC-to-isotropic phase transitions. Our materials design is based on fluorinated azobenzenes, where the fluorination serves to strengthen the noncovalent interaction with bond-accepting stilbazole molecules, and increase the lifetime of the cis-form of the azobenzene units. The halogen-bonded LCs were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, hot-stage polarized optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Simultaneous analysis of light-induced changes in birefringence, absorption, and optical scattering allowed us to estimate tha…
Definition of the chalcogen bond (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)
Abstract This recommendation proposes a definition for the term “chalcogen bond”; it is recommended the term is used to designate the specific subset of inter- and intramolecular interactions formed by chalcogen atoms wherein the Group 16 element is the electrophilic site.
Halogen bonding stabilizes a cis-azobenzene derivative in the solid state : A crystallographic study
Crystals oftrans- andcis-isomers of a fluorinated azobenzene derivative have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The presence of F atoms on the aromatic core of the azobenzene increases the lifetime of the metastablecis-isomer, allowing single crystals of thecis-azobenzene to be grown. Structural analysis on thecis-azobenzene, complemented with density functional theory calculations, highlights the active role of the halogen-bond contact (N...I synthon) in promoting the stabilization of thecis-isomer. The presence of a long aliphatic chain on the azobenzene unit induces a phase segregation that stabilizes the molecular arrangement for both thetrans- andcis-i…
In the Pursuit of Efficient Anion-Binding Organic Ligands Based on Halogen Bonding
The syntheses and the crystal structures of new multitopic anion-binding organic ligands based on a benzenoid scaffold and bearing two or three 2-iodo-imidazolium arms are reported. The quite short...
Dissecting the packing forces in mixed perfluorocarbon/aromatic co-crystals
We carried out a systematic evaluation of the packing forces in co-crystals featuring monoiodo- and diiodo-perfluoroalkanes and 1,2,4-oxadiazoles through single crystal X-ray diffraction and theoretical analysis. The molecules assemble via a combination of halogen bonding and specific dispersive interactions involving the perfluorinated units. We quantitatively elucidated the nature and strength of such interactions through solid-state calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis. One of the co-crystals, formed by two monoiodoperfluorodecane molecules, the longest perfluorinated chain ever solved at the atomic level, allowed us to fully highlight the role of fluorous interactions.
Halogen bond directionality translates tecton geometry into self-assembled architecture geometry
The structures of halogen-bonded infinite chains involving two diiodoperfluoroalkanes and a bent bis(pyrid-4′-yl)oxadiazole show that the geometry of the pyridyl pendant rings is translated into the angle between the formed halogen bonds.
Superfluorinated ionic liquid crystals based on supramolecular, halogen-bonded anions
Unconventional ionic liquid crystals in which the liquid crystallinity is enabled by halogen-bonded supramolecular anions [CnF2 n+1-I⋯I⋯I-CnF2 n+1]- are reported. The material system is unique in many ways, demonstrating for the first time 1) ionic, halogen-bonded liquid crystals, and 2) imidazolium-based ionic liquid crystals in which the occurrence of liquid crystallinity is not driven by the alkyl chains of the cation. Out of the ordinary: The high directionality of halogen bonds and the fluorophobic effect were exploited in the design and synthesis of a new family of unconventional superfluorinated ionic liquid crystals. The liquid crystallinity of the system is driven by halogen-bonded…
Coordination networks incorporating halogen-bond donor sites and azobenzene groups
Two Zn coordination networks, {[Zn(1)(Py)2]2(2-propanol)}n (3) and {[Zn(1)2(Bipy)2](DMF)2}n (4), incorporating halogen-bond (XB) donor sites and azobenzene groups have been synthesized and fully characterized. Obtaining 3 and 4 confirms that it is possible to use a ligand wherein its coordination bond acceptor sites and XB donor sites are on the same molecular scaffold (i.e., an aromatic ring) without interfering with each other. We demonstrate that XBs play a fundamental role in the architectures and properties of the obtained coordination networks. In 3, XBs promote the formation of 2D supramolecular layers, which, by overlapping each other, allow the incorporation of 2-propanol as a gues…
Supramolecular hierarchy among halogen and hydrogen bond donors in light-induced surface patterning
Halogen bonding, a noncovalent interaction possessing several unique features compared to the more familiar hydrogen bonding, is emerging as a powerful tool in functional materials design. Herein, we unambiguously show that one of these characteristic features, namely high directionality, renders halogen bonding the interaction of choice when developing azobenzene-containing supramolecular polymers for light-induced surface patterning. The study is conducted by using an extensive library of azobenzene molecules that differ only in terms of the bond-donor unit. We introduce a new tetrafluorophenol-containing azobenzene photoswitch capable of forming strong hydrogen bonds, and show that an io…
Dimensional encapsulation of I− I 2 I− in an organic salt crystal matrix
Bis(trimethylammonium)hexane diiodide encapsulates iodine from solution and through a gas/solid reaction yielding in a predictable and controllable manner the selective formation of the rare polyiodide species I(-)...I-I...I(-), which matches in length to the chosen dication.
Photoresponsive ionic liquid crystals assembled: Via halogen bond: En route towards light-controllable ion transporters
We demonstrate that halogen bonding (XB) can offer a novel approach for the construction of photoresponsive ionic liquid crystals. In particular, we assembled two new supramolecular complexes based on 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium iodides and azobenzene derivatives containing an iodotetrafluoro-benzene ring as XB donor, where the iodide anion acted as an XB acceptor. DSC and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the preferred stoichiometry between the XB donors and acceptors is 2 : 1, and that the iodide anions act as bidentate XB-acceptors, binding two azobenzene derivatives. Due to the high directionality of the XB, calamitic superanions are obtained, while the segregation occurring betw…
Azobenzene-based difunctional halogen-bond donor: Towards the engineering of photoresponsive co-crystals
Halogen bonding is emerging as a powerful non-covalent interaction in the context of supramolecular photoresponsive materials design, particularly due to its high directionality. In order to obtain further insight into the solid-state features of halogen-bonded photoactive molecules, three halogen-bonded co-crystals containing an azobenzene-based difunctional halogen-bond donor molecule, (E)-bis(4-iodo-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)diazene, C12F8I2N2, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of the non-iodinated homologue (E)-bis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)diazene, C12H2F8N2, is also reported. It is demonstrated that the stud…
CCDC 1445294: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1449804: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1541305: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1541306: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1446403: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1445292: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1025655: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Related Article: Marco Saccone, Valentina Dichiarante, Alessandra Forni, Alexis Goulet-Hanssens, Gabriella Cavallo, Jaana Vapaavuori, Giancarlo Terraneo, Christopher J. Barrett, Giuseppe Resnati, Pierangelo Metrangolo, Arri Priimagi|2015|J.Mater.Chem.C|3|759|doi:10.1039/C4TC02315C
CCDC 1445293: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1025656: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 2077920: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1449805: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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CCDC 1449802: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
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