Despite an ever growing number of reports concerning the anion-π interaction, controversy surrounding the nature of these weak supramolecular interactions continues. In an effort to further explore the nature and properties of anion-π interactions, experimental and computational methods were employed to study their occurrence in inorganic, organic and biological systems. As part of ongoing research in the Dunbar group on the topic of anion-π based supramolecular interactions, the ligand 3,6-bis(2′-pyrimidyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bmtz) was synthesized and reacted with [Cu(NCMe)4][BF4] to form the octanuclear complex [Cu8(bmtz)6][BF6]6·6MeCN. Crystallographic evidence indicates an in situ reduction of two of the complexed bmtz ligands to radical anions. A second blue compound has also been observed in this reaction, and recent work has resulted in a direct synthesis of this compound. Preliminary results indicate that this second compound contains Cu(II) centers, as expected. Further work is necessary to identify the second blue compound. In an effort to explore the fundamental question of whether or not anion-π interactions can occur between complex anions and olefins a series of Density Functional Theory and ab initio computations have been preformed for the tetracyanoethylene, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-1,2,4,5-tetrafluoroquinodimethane and octacyanoquinodimethane molecules with the anions tetrafluoroborate and hexaflurophosphate. These optimizations indicate favorable interactions for all cases and are further supported by critical point analysis, performed using the Atoms in Molecules theory, and Natural Bond Orbitals analysis. DFT and NBO computations were also employed to explore the simultaneous anion-π and π-type charge transfer interactions observed between 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarbonitrile and the chloride, bromide and iodide anions, as observed previously by the Dunbar group. Computations involving chloride and bromide anions are in full agreement with the previously reported spectroscopic and crystallographic evidence. Finally, the question of whether or not anion-π interactions occur in proteins was investigated by searching the Protein Data Bank for interactions between chloride or iodide anion and the aromatic moieties of the phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan residues. Computer scripts were specifically written for this search and revealed promising interactions between chloride anions and all three amino acids. Procedural and statistical considerations preclude these examples from being definitive.

Research into anion-pi interactions has shifted from attempts to establish the legitimacy of the interaction to the incorporation of anion-pi interactions into supramolecular architectures. The research discussed in this dissertation explores the subtle effects of ligand, anion, and metal ion on supramolecular architectures of tetrazine-based ligands in the context of anion-pi interactions and their importance in the design and synthesis of supramolecular architectures. Computational studies highlight the importance of the arene quadrupole moment, molecular polarizability, and substituent effects on the strength of anion-pi interactions. More importantly, however, this work establishes that there is a distinct directionality inherent to the anion-pi interaction between polyatomic anions and N-heterocycles, which can be used to direct ligands in supramolecular architectures as demonstrated through the work of the Dunbar group in recent years, particularly that of the square and pentagonal metallacycles. The extension of metallacycles of bptz to CoII and FeII demonstrates the ability to tune the size of the metallacyclic cavity by simply changing the metal ion and results in the surprising encapsulation of two [SbF6]- anions in [Fe5(bptz)5(NCCH3)10][SbF6]10. 1H NMR spectroscopy and electrochemical studies reveal slight but significant differences characteristic of the square and pentagonal metallacycles and support the presence of anion-pi interactions in solution and highlight the importance of the encapsulated anion in the templation and stability of the metallacycles. A study of the interconversion between the square and pentagonal metallacycles via 1H NMR is presented for the first time. Increasing the pi-acidity of the chelating ligand from bptz to bmtz results in the encapsulation of only one [SbF6]- anion in [Fe5(bmtz)5(NCCH3)10][SbF6]10, maximizing anion-pi interactions with the ligand despite the tighter fit. A significant hurdle in the incorporation of different anions into the metallacyclic structures was overcome with the development of a new synthetic protocol for [Fe(NCCH3)6]2+ salts of a wide range of anions from sodium salts and Fe4Cl8(THF)6. Also, the nuclearity of the less stable [Fe5(bptz)5(NCCH3)10][PF6]10 metallacycle was established via a combination of MS, electrochemistry and 1H NMR experiments through comparisons with known FeII metallacycle solution behavior.

La presente tesis consta de dos vertientes interrelacionadas. La primera se centra en intentar cuantificar experimentalmente la contribución energética en disolución de la interacción anión-, mediante el uso de calix[4]pirroles aril substituidos en las posiciones meso- como moléculas modelo. El trabajo realizado muestra que la interacción anión- es repulsiva para anillos con valores de ESP negativos y a medida que el efecto electrón atrayente de los sustituyentes aumenta la interacción se vuelve menos repulsiva, hasta que, cuando el valor de ESP en el centro del anillo aromático es positivo la interacción se vuelve ligeramente atractiva. La segunda en el uso de estos receptores simples para obtener arquitecturas supramoleculares más complejas, y su autoensamblaje en capsulas. Los estudios muestran que calix[4]pirroles sustituidos con grupos urea en sus anillos aromáticos se autoemsamblan en capsulas diméricas en presencia de un huesped adecuado como los N-óxidos de alquil aminas y piridinas en disolventes apolares. / This thesis consists of two interrelated aspects. The first one pretends to quantify experimentally the energetic contribution in solution of the anion- interaction, using aryl extended calix[4] pyrroles substituted in their meso- positions as a model system. The work performed shows that the anion- interaction is repulsive for aromatic rings with negative ESP values, as the electron withdrawing character of the substituent increases the interaction becomes less repulsive, until eventually, when the ESP value in the center of the aromatic ring is positive the interaction turns into slightly attractive.The second one is based on the use of these simple receptors as scaffolds to obtain complex structures and their self-assembly into capsules. The studies performed show that aryl extended calix[4]pyrroles substituted with urea functions on their upper rim self-assemble into dimeric capsules in the presence of a suitable guest like the N-oxides of alkyl amines and pyridines in non-polar solvents.

xx, 281 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / More than two-thirds of all enzyme substrates and cofactors are anionic, emphasizing the essential role that anions play in biological processes. Moreover, anions can have detrimental effects on the environment by causing ground water contamination when anions such as perchlorate, phosphate and nitrate develop in intolerable levels. Owing to the prevalent nature of anions, traditional strategies employed to target anions--including hydrogen bonding, metal ion coordination and electrostatic interactions--have been extensively studied. An alternative approach to anion binding would complement the powerful array of existing techniques. Recently, in the supramolecular chemistry community, new insight has been cast on how anions attractively interact with electron-deficient arenes, suggesting that aromatic rings are a viable anion binding strategy to balance existing methods. Chapter I provides a historical perspective of anions interacting with electron- deficient arenes. This outlook has its origins in the late 1800s with the discovery of colored charge-transfer complexes between donor and acceptor molecules and continues with the progression of the field leading up to the recent supramolecular fascination. Chapter II represents our initial efforts at measuring anion/arene interactions in solution. In particular, sulfonamide based hydrogen bonding receptors were developed with pendant aromatic rings to test the strength of anion/arene interactions in solution. Complementary computational chemistry and crystallography were utilized to supplement the solution studies. Chapter III describes our quantum calculations and crystallographic efforts at using only electron-deficient arenes to bind halides. A Cambridge Structure Database survey supports our emphasis of understanding multiple anion/arene interactions. Chapter IV illustrates how tripodal anion receptors can be developed to bind anions using only electron-deficient aromatic rings. Furthermore, subtle changes in anion binding geometries are observed with isomeric receptors and corroborated with Density Functional Theory calculations. Chapter V is dedicated to the preparation of electron-deficient anion receptors that are conformationally stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Chapter VI is committed to using our knowledge of anion binding to study a series of ethynyl-pyridine sulfonamides capable of hydrogen bonding to small molecules and anions. In conclusion, Chapter VII is a summary and future prospective for the field of anion/arene interactions. This dissertation includes previously published and co-authored material. / Adviser: Darren W. Johnson

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