published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This thesis is concerned with the synthesis and study of novel anion templated rotaxanes and catenanes for electrochemical anion sensing, as well as interlocked structures that possess different anion binding properties, higher-order topologies and the ability to undergo molecular motion. Chapter One provides an introduction to anion recognition and the preparation of interlocked structures. A short summary of fundamental aspects of supramolecular chemistry is followed by detailed surveys of current approaches to anion binding and sensing, as well as the templated synthesis of rotaxanes and catenanes. Chapter Two describes the preparation of rotaxanes and catenanes appended with ferrocene to allow for electrochemical anion sensing. The anion recognition properties of a [2]rotaxane and a [2]catenane, as investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electrochemical methods, are presented. The utilization of a ferrocene-appended macrocycle in the construction of surface confined anion templated rotaxanes and catenanes is also discussed. Chapter Three reports the work carried out to achieve electrochemical anion sensing by the incorporation of redox-active groups into the integral structures of interlocked structures. The syntheses of a bis-stoppered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-pentaphenylferrocene [2]rotaxane and a ferrocene containing [3]rotaxane are presented, along with their subsequent anion recognition studies. In addition, attempts to incorporate ferrocene into the macrocyclic components of rotaxanes and catenanes are outlined. Chapter Four details further investigations into the use of interlocked structures to achieve anion recognition. Doubly-charged [2]catenanes able to bind anions in aqueous solvent media, as well as the incorporation of alternative anion binding motifs into interlocked architectures are reported. The exploitation of anion templated synthesis to allow for the construction of higher order structures (including [3]catenanes, a “handcuff” catenane and a Janus [2]rotaxane), as well as a [2]catenane system with anion controlled molecular motion is also described. Chapter Five presents the experimental procedures and characterization data relating to the compounds prepared in Chapters Two, Three and Four. Chapter Six summarizes the main conclusions of the work contained within this thesis. Supplementary experimental information relating to titration protocols, investigations into self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and crystallographic data are provided in Appendices I, II and III.

Metaloporfirinas que incorporam complexos ligados ao anel macrocíclico podem apresentar efeitos supramoleculare, mimetizando, por exemplo, sistemas fotossintéticos, em relação à capacidade de promover transferência eletrônica intramolecular fotoinduzida, e a enzima citocromo-c oxidase, em seu papel de catalisador multieletrônico na redução do oxigênio molecular. Em vista desta potencialidade, demos início ao estudo de uma nova série de porfirinas polinucleares derivadas da mesotetra(4-piridil)porfina, [4-TPyPJ, por meio da complexação dos resíduos de piridina com íons pentaaminrutênia ou etilenodiaminatetraacetato(rutenato). Porfirinas com três íons pentaaminrutênio e quatro íons Ru(edta) ligados às piridinas foram isolados e caracterizados, por meio de técnicas espectroscópicas e eletroquímicas. O espectro eletrônico dos complexos apresenta as bandas Soret, α e β características, na região do visíveL. Nas espécies reduzidas foi observada uma nova banda, consistente com a transição de transferência de carga RuII---› py, na faixa de 440-470 nm. Os estudos por meio de voltametria cíclica proporcionaram evidências diretas da ligação dos complexos de rutênio às piridinas. As ondas reversíveis observadas estão deslocadas anodicamente com relação ao potenciaL redox do aquo complexo. Foi estudado, também, o comportamento eletroquímico das porfirinas polimetaladas na presença de dimetilsulfóxido, o quaL é um sequestrante de íons [Ru(edta)(H2 O)] . Na presença de oxigênio molecular, foi observada uma intensa onda catalítica no voltamograma cíclico da ferro porfirina polimetalada, sendo a mesma quase coincidente com o potencial de redução do íon ferro. O comportamento eletroquímico é consistente com a redução do dioxigênio à água. Esta reação é auxiliada pelos quatro complexos de rutênio periféricos, os quais agem como fonte de elétrons , melhorando a eficiência catalítica por meio de interações supramoleculares. / Metalloporphyrins containing peripheral meta l complexes attached to the macrocyclic ring can exhibit an interesting supramolecular chemistry, modeling , for instance, photosynthetic systems in their ability to undergo intramolecular photocatalyzed electron transfer; and cytochrome-c oxidase , by acting as multielectron redox catalysts in the reduction of molecular oxygen. In view of its relevance , we have investigated a new series of polynuclear porphyrins derived from meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin , [4-TPyP], by complexing the pyridine residues with ruthenium-ammines or ruthenium-EDTA íons. Typical species , containing three pentaammineruthenium (III) or four EDTA-ruthenium(III) ions attached to the porphyrin , were isolated and characterized based on spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The electronic spectra exhibited the characteristic Soret , α and β bands in the visible region. In the reduced species a new band , consistent with a Ru(II)-to-pyridine charge transfer transition , was detected in the 440-470 nm region. Cyclic voltammetry measuremen ts provided direct evidence of the attached ruthenium ions, displaying reversible waves, slightly shifted to less cathodic potentials with respect to the non-coordinated species. The electrochemical behaviour was also investigated in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide , wich is a scavenger for RuII (edta)(H2 O) complex. In the presence of dioxygen, a strong catalytic wave was observed for the polymetallated iron-porphyrin , almost coinciding with the electrachemical wave for the iron centre. The electrochemical behaviour was consistent with the reduction of dioxygen to water, at the iron-porphyrin centre. The process is assisted by the four ruthenium(II) ions which act as a source of electrons, improving the catalytic efficiency by means of the supramolecular interactions.

The halogen bond has recently risen in prominence as a non-covalent interaction for use in supramolecular chemistry, allowing for the rational design of materials, pharmaceuticals, and functional molecules. The occurrence of the σ-hole opposite to the C-X covalent bond (X = F, Cl, Br, I) renders the halogen bond a highly directional and tuneable interaction, offering desirable features to crystal engineers. The halogen bond can be divided into its two components: the halogen bond donor bearing the halogen atom, and the electron-rich halogen bond acceptor. In this thesis, we investigate the nature of the halogen bond, its role in supramolecular assembly and impact on the local dynamics, along with developing synthetic methods to prepare this class of materials. We begin by fully characterizing the halogen bond donor by using 35Cl ultra-wideline solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on a series of single-component chloronitriles exhibiting the C-Cl···N halogen bond. We then perform the first modern nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) investigations of the halogen bond, observing the 79/81Br and 127I nuclei in a series of cocrystals exhibiting the C-Br···N and C-I···N halogen bond, respectively. Computational results attribute the observed increases in the quadrupolar coupling constants (CQ) to a reduction in the carbon-halogen σ-bonding contribution to V33 and an increase in the lone-pair and core orbital contributions, providing the first model of the electronic changes occurring on the halogen bond donor upon the formation of the halogen bond. Attention is then turned on characterizing the halogen bond acceptor and its surrounding environment, beginning by investigating a solid-state NMR approach relying on the 19F nucleus to characterize perfluorinated cocrystals. This strategy has reduced analysis times from hours to minutes while providing higher sensitivity and resolution, with the resulting chemical shifts permitting the unambiguous identification of the halogen bond and allowing for the refinement of X-ray crystal structures. The halogen bond acceptor is then investigated in a series of isomorphous dimers exhibiting both the halogen bond and hydrogen bond in the C≡C-I···X-···H-N+ motif, revealing the halogen bond’s relative contribution to the electric field gradient increasing in the order of Cl- > Br- > I-, contrasting the contributions of the hydrogen bond. We then explore the impact of the halogen bond on the surrounding environment, using the rotating methyl groups of 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine as a model. Upon the introduction of a halogen bond, we observe a reduction in the rotational energy barrier of 56% on average, overshadowing the 36% reduction observed in the hydrogen bonded cocrystals. This is the first instance of the halogen bond directly catalyzing the local dynamics, coining the term “dynamics catalyst”. These results provide an effective strategy of enhancing the dynamics in molecular systems, such as molecular machines, supramolecular catalyst, as well as correcting the faulty dynamics encountered in diseased proteins. The role of halogen bonding in crystal engineering is then explored, reporting the first supramolecular triangle, a series of discrete charged dimers, and supramolecular architectures built from 1,3,5-tri(iodoethynyl)-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene, with the potential of creating fully organic porous structures for gas absorption. Mechanochemistry is then investigated as a synthetic method, allowing for the preparation of cocrystals featuring 3-iodoethynylbenzoic acid as the donor, with the resulting structures exhibiting concurrent halogen and hydrogen bonding. Mechanochemical ball milling is shown to reduce preparation times of powdered cocrystals from days to a single hour, while using a fraction of the organic solvent. Lastly, we pioneer cosublimation as a solvent-free synthetic technique for rapidly preparing halogen bonded cocrystals, yielding quality single crystals within a few hours, and a microcrystalline product within 15 minutes. Among its advantages, cosublimation offers a significant acceleration of discovery, while eliminating the environmental footprint associated with conventional synthetic methods.

The main focus of this thesis is to present the structural and photophysical characteristics of the coordination polymers [Ln(C7H3NO4)(C7H4NO4)(H2O)]n (Ln is Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Tb), as well as attempting to synthesize the novel organic linker 4,4'(4,8-Dihydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-4,8-diyl)dibenzoic acid (BDTDC). Various lanthanide salts were coordinated with 2,3-pyridinecarboxylate (2,3- pydc) via hydrothermal synthesis. ... Progress was made toward the synthesis of a novel metal-organic framework linker BDTDC. Synthesis of the intermediate benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene as well as the determination of the crystal structure, were performed successfully and are reported herein. / by Amanda Lyn Staggeer Ramirez. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. / Chirality is very important to the pharmaceutical industry as enantiomers have the same macroproperties except for their optical and pharmacological activity. Industrial research has thus focused to find the most effective resolution technique. However, our aim was to obtain more information regarding the discrimination process. In this project the structures of the hydrates of diquininium L-malate, (2QUIN+)(L-MA2-)·2H20 and the di-quininium O-malate, (2QUIN+)(D-MA2-)·2H20 have been investigated. (-)-Quinine (QUIN) did not show selectivity between the 0 and L malic acid and the structure of (2QUIN+)(DL-MA2-)·2H20 was obtained. Effect of solvents was demonstrated in the study and the structure of (QUIN+)(D-MA-)·H20) was reported. The relationship between C-O bonds of the carboxylate and carboxylic moieties and L'lpKa was explored in salt and co-crystal formation. Kinetics of absorption was conducted for the reaction of (+)-deoxycholic acid (DCA) with npropylamine and DCA with racemic sec-butylamine. The rate constants of the reactions were determined. Kinetics of desolvation was performed on the powder samples of mixtures of DCA and sec-butylamine and DCA with di-n-butylamine. Non-isothermal methods were used where a series of TG analyses was carried out at different heating rates (2, 4, 10, 32 K rnin'). The structures of DCA with n-propylamine and di-n-butylamine were elucidated. The selectivity of DCA was investigated. The host compound was found to be able to successfully resolve racemic sec-butylamine (2-BUAM) and 2-amino-3-methylbutane (MeBUAM). The structures of DCA with enantiomers of these guests are reported in the study. The structures of RBUAM and S-BUAM were solved in different space groups while R-MeBUAM and S-MeBUAM crystallized in the same space group.

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / Solvatomorphism of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is one of the most studied areas in pharmaceutical science. Since APIs are exposed to solvents during many stages of their production, knowledge of the consequences from such exposure is essential. Salt formation has been known to improve some physicochemical properties of an API. Amongst these properties, API solubility is one of the most important characteristics as their use in the market is determined by this feature. Research presented here investigated the solvates and salts of mefenamic acid (MA) and tolfenamic acid (TFA); both representing fenamic acids belonging to a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Solvates were obtained by reactions of TFA and MA with the solvents 2-picoline, 3-picoline, 4-picoline, 3-bromopyridine and 3-chloropyridine. A solvate polymorph of MA and 2-picoline was isolated. The salts were obtained by using diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, 1-methylpiperazine, and triethylamine in combination with the fenamic acids. Morpholine formed a salt with TFA, but not with MA. Instead a zwitterionic form of MA was synthesised when the latter was mixed with morpholine. The resulting compounds were characterised and their crystal structures analysed. It was found that the conformation of the acids in the solvate and the salt compounds differed. Moreover, within the solvates, the conformation of the fenamate backbone varied depending on the acid and the solvent used for crystallisation. Although similar solvents were utilized, the structural packing arrangements of TFA solvates were very different from the arrangements associated with MA. The thermal analyses of the salts/solvates were determined by using both thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The compounds were further investigated after manual grinding and the preparation of slurries. These preparation methods were successful for most compounds but not for MA•2PIC and (MA-)(EDM+). Instead, the recrystallization, grinding and slurry investigations of MA•2PIC yielded a polymorph of this particular solvate. In the case of (MA-)(EDM+), the PXRD results obtained from both the pulverised and slurry samples were completely different from one another and also from those determined for the starting materials. Generally, the desolvation studies of the MA salts and solvates produced the same crystal form as occurred in the starting material. The exception was (MA-)(TA+) wherein desolvation produced a mixture of two polymorphs of MA.

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Inclusion compounds of two hydroxyl hosts with a variety of guests have been investigated. These host compounds are bulky molecules and have the ability to interact with smaller organic guests to form new compounds. The host 9-(1-naphthyl)-9H-xanthen-9-ol (H1), forms inclusion compounds with pyridine (PYR), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), morpholine (MORP) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The crystal structures of H1•NMP, H1•DMA and H1•MORP1 were successfully solved in the triclinic space group PĪ, whereas the inclusion compound H1•PYR crystallised in the monoclinic space group P21/c. A different inclusion compound involving morpholine, H1•MORP2 resulted from dissolution of H1 in a 1:1 molar ratio of MORP: DMA. H1•MORP2 crystallised in the space group PĪ. All of the abovementioned inclusion compounds demonstrated a host: guest ratio of 1:1 except for H1•MORP1 (host: guest ratio = 1: ). H1 interacts with pyridine and morpholine guests via (Host)O-H•••N(Guest) hydrogen bonds and via (Host)OH•••O(Guest) hydrogen bonds with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and N,N-dimethylacetamide.

Incorporation of heteroaromatic rings (pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and thienyl) in the silver-ethynide supramolecular synthon led to a series of silver(I) double salts of various heterocyclic ethynide ligands. Through variation of the relative orientations between the ethynide moiety and heteroatom as well as between heteroatoms, different coordination networks were generated. / Synthetic and structural studies were carried out on a series of silver(I) complexes of phenylethynide and phenylethynide derivatives with alkyl substituents (methyl, tert- butyl, trifluoromethyl) at variable positions (p-, m-, o-) on the aromatic ring. The invariable appearance of the mu4- and mu5-ligation modes of the ethynide moiety in ten silver(I) complexes reaffirms the general utility of the silver-arylethynide supramolecular synthon Ar-C≡C⊃Agn( n = 4, 5) in coordination network assembly. / Systematic investigation on silver(I) tert-butylethynide complexes resulted in the establishment of the general utility of the silver-ethynide supramolecular synthon with an alkyl tail. Upon the addition of nitrile ligands from CH3CN, CH3CH2CN to (CH3) 3CCN, adjacent silver ethynide moieties tBu-C≡C⊃Ag 5 approach closer to each other, and the resulting crystal structure transforms from a 2-D hydrogen bonding network, through a 2-D network held by hydrogen bonding and coordination, to a 2-D coordination network. Employment of the multidentate dicarboxylate ligand O2CCF2CF 2CO2 and the dinitrile ligand NC(CH2)4CN led to the formation of higher-dimensional networks. / The above-mentioned structural studies of silver-ethynide complexes of aromatic or heteroaromatic ligands indicate that pi-pi stacking plays a pivotal role in the self-assembly of corresponding silver-ethynide synthons. Investigation of the silver(I) complexes of phenylethynide and its derivatives with different substituents (methyl, tert- butyl) in variable positions (o-, m-, p-) on the aromatic ring shows the relative position and the bulk of substituents both affect the pi-pi stacking between adjacent phenyl rings. Furthermore, a comparative study of pi-pi stacking in the nitrate complexes Ag2(m-C≡CC 6H4C≡C)] · 5AgNO3 · 3H 2O (38), [(3-AgC≡C)-py] · 3AgNO3 (45), 2[(2-AgC≡C)-pyraz] · 6AgNO3 3H 2O (50) and 2[2,3-(AgC≡C)2-thienyl] · 10AgNO3 (56) suggests that the pi-electron deficiency of the aromatic ring also weakens this non-covalent interaction. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / The ensuing study of silver(I) phenylenediethynide complexes led to the recognition of another kind of supramolecular synthon, Agn⊂ C2---R---C2⊃Agn (R= p-, m-, o-C6H4; n = 4, 5). / The reaction of Li-C≡C-Ca≡C-Li (generated in situ from hexachloro-1,3-butadiene and nBuLi) with AgNO3 led to the generation of a new silver carbide, silver 1,3-butadiynediide (Ag2C4). A series of fifteen double and multiple salts of Ag2C4 were synthesized by dissolving this polymeric starting material Ag2C4 in a concentrated aqueous solution of soluble silver salts (e.g. AgNO3, AgCF 3CO2, AgC2F5CO2). The silver-ethynide interaction may be conceived as a new kind of supramolecular synthon for the construction of 1-D, 2-D and 3-D coordination polymers. The terminal silver-ethynide interactions that are assigned in diverse configurations can be conveniently classified into three types: sigma, pi and mixed (sigma,pi), and tuned by variation of ancillary anionic ligands. In addition, the controlled hydrolysis of hexafluorophosphate led to the generation of the second silver quadruple salt Ag2C4 · 4AgNO3 · AgPF 2O2 · Ag3PO4 (4). The (F)2(H2O)18 fluoride-water tape in Ag 2C4 · 2AgF · 10AgC2F5CO 2 · CH3CN · 12H2O (10) and the (C4)3 Ag18 aggregate in 3Ag 2C4 · 12AgC2F5CO2 · 5[BzMe3N)C2F5CO2] · 4H 2O (15) are both unprecedented among silver(I)complexes. / This thesis describes our effort to explore, develop and utilize the silver-ethynide interaction in new kinds of metal-ligand supramolecular synthons for the construction of silver(I) coordination networks. / Zhao, Liang. / Adviser: Thomas C. W. Mak. / Includes supplementary digital materials. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: B, page: 1011. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-228). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Hu, Ting. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-198). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.