Wei Huang, Zhao-lian Chu, S. Gou
May 1, 2007
Citations
1
Influential Citations
20
Citations
Journal
Polyhedron
Abstract
Abstract Self-assembly directed by dinuclear zinc(II) macrocyclic species with 4-aminopyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine and isonicotinonitrile produces four novel trans macrocycle-based complexes, namely three molecular stair elements and one one-dimensional (1D) polymeric stair. Controlled synthesis of the cis or trans isomers of 4-aminopyridine macrocyclic complexes ( 2a or 2b ), where the same rigid macrocyclic platform and counterion are used, can be achieved merely by the substitution of a protonic solvent for a non-protonic solvent, and that is further verified by theoretical calculations. However, when the two hydrogen atoms of the amino group are replaced by methyl groups (i.e. 4-dimethylaminopyridine) in order to block the formation of effective hydrogen bonds, only the trans isomers ( 3a and 3b ) can be obtained, either in protonic or non-protonic solvents. Moreover, when an isonicotinonitrile molecule, which has a stronger coordination ability and may act as a bidentate bridging ligand, is used, an infinite 1D macrocycle-based stair ( 4b ) is generated via compensatory coordinative bonds as well as hydrogen bonding and face-to-face π–π stacking interactions.