Construction of macrocycle-based molecular stairs having pendant 4-aminopyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine and isonicotinonitrile groups

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.

Self-assembly directed by dinuclear zinc(II) macrocyclic species with 4-aminopyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine and isonicotinonitrile produces three trans molecular stair elements and a 1D polymeric stair, which are stabilized by coordination bonding, H-bonding and face-to-face π–π stacking interactions. Controlled synthesis of the cis and trans isomers is achieved in the case of 4-aminopyridine, which is further verified by theoretic calculations.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide