Controlling π–π Interactions through Coordination Bond Formation: Assembly of 1‑D Chains of acac-Based Coordination Compounds

• Published in: Crystal growth & design Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 3756 - 3769
• Main Authors: León-Zárate, Rafael, Valdés-Martínez, Jesús
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 07.07.2021
• ISSN: 1528-7483; 1528-7505
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.1c00083

We present a new approach for the construction of 1-D chains of acac-based copper coordination compounds assembled through π–π aromatic interactions. We use 3-(phenylethynyl)­pyridine derivatives as ligands that can establish aromatic interactions to intermolecularly bind the coordination compounds. The crystal networks of the free pyridines show that there is no control over aromatic interactions, since different interactions are present. On the other hand, the supramolecular behavior of the coordination compounds is very homogeneous since, in all of the crystal networks, the intended 1-D chains are present. Given the polarization of the aromatic rings due to coordination, reflected in the calculated molecular electrostatic potential maps, we gain control over the π–π interaction geometry, promoting a head to tail interaction between the coordinated 3-(phenylethynyl)­pyridines. This strategy to constructing 1-D chains is reliable and reproducible; thus, these types of π–π aromatic interactions are a useful supramolecular tool to control the molecular assembly in the solid state.