CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-17DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00129G
Manoj Kumar Baskey, Subhajit Ghosh, Sabir Ahmed and Parthasarathi Dastidar
{"title":"Carbamoyl azide–drug conjugates as supramolecular gelators: design, synthesis, crystal structures and anti-melanoma property","authors":"Manoj Kumar Baskey, Subhajit Ghosh, Sabir Ahmed and Parthasarathi Dastidar","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00129G","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00129G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Supramolecular gels are an important class of materials because of their various potential applications. However, designing supramolecular gelators is challenging. Herein, a crystal engineering-inspired, structure–property correlation-based strategy was employed to synthesize a series of carbamoyl azide–drug conjugates as potential supramolecular gelators. Five non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen (<strong>Ibu</strong>), naproxen (<strong>Nap</strong>), ketoprofen (<strong>Keto</strong>), flurbiprofen (<strong>Flur</strong>) and diclofenac (<strong>Diclo</strong>), were used as starting materials to synthesize carbamoyl azides. The synthesized carbamoyl azides were isolated in good yields and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) alongside FT-IR spectroscopy, <small><sup>1</sup></small>H and <small><sup>13</sup></small>C NMR and mass spectrometry. Single-crystal structural analysis revealed that the self-assembly of these molecules, leading to gelation-conducive 1D hydrogen-bonded networks in all the carbamoyl azides, is driven by N–H⋯O interactions involving the amide functionality, as anticipated. Two of the carbamoyl azide–drug conjugates, namely <strong>Nap-Az</strong> and <strong>Diclo-Az</strong>, were gelators, producing supramolecular gels in aqueous solvents (DMSO/water) at room temperature. The anti-inflammatory activity of <strong>Diclo-Az</strong> against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was confirmed by the PGE<small><sub>2</sub></small> assay. Studies conducted using the melanoma cell line (B16-F10) revealed that <strong>Diclo-Az</strong> exhibits appreciable anti-melanoma properties, displaying apoptosis induced cell death, whereas it was noncytotoxic toward the normal skin fibroblast cell line E. Derm. Interestingly, growth-delay experiments carried out on 3D multicellular spheroids derived from B16-F10 cells proved the effectiveness of <strong>Diclo-Az</strong> to retard and completely destroy the spheroids, thereby simulating its anti-tumour properties. The aqueous gel of <strong>Diclo-Az</strong> showed an excellent rheo-reversible property over a few cycles, suggesting its application <em>via</em> the topical route. Moreover, a small patch of <strong>Diclo-Az</strong> gel adherable to a commercially available medical bandage provided proof-of-concept for its utility as a vehicle-free drug delivery system.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 20","pages":" 3210-3224"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148011680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-17DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00117C
Joanna Bojarska, Martin Breza, Sepideh Jafari and Wojciech M. Wolf
{"title":"From conformational lability to conformational control in short-peptide crystals","authors":"Joanna Bojarska, Martin Breza, Sepideh Jafari and Wojciech M. Wolf","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00117C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00117C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Short peptides occupy a distinctive position between proteins and traditional small molecules. They combine the functional richness typical of biomolecules with the synthetic accessibility and crystallographic tractability characteristic of small-molecule systems. Their favourable physicochemical properties and exceptional structural diversity make them difficult to replicate with other classes of molecular building blocks, while enabling systematic exploration of sequence–structure relationships in crystalline materials. At the same time, short-peptide crystals are often regarded as conformationally labile, a feature that has traditionally been viewed as an obstacle to predictive peptide crystal engineering. Recent studies, however, suggest that conformational flexibility in short peptides can shift from being treated as a crystallographic complication to being explored as a potentially controllable structural variable. A key challenge is distinguishing genuine crystal-state conformational control from apparent structural changes arising from crystallisation pathways, phase conversion or recrystallisation. In this Highlight we propose a practical framework for identifying when conformational lability translates into experimentally demonstrable conformational control in peptide crystals. We discuss representative model systems, outline experimental strategies required to distinguish crystal-state conformational selection from pathway-dependent effects, and highlight emerging cases in which controlled peptide conformation influences structural organisation and functional behaviour in molecular materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 21","pages":" 3284-3292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/ce/d6ce00117c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148141600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-17DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00120C
Yang-Hong Liu, Hao Li, Hui-Ru Lou, Er-Xia Chen, Jin-Xia Yang and Qipu Lin
{"title":"Ligand modification on organotin-oxo clusters for enhanced third-order nonlinear optical response","authors":"Yang-Hong Liu, Hao Li, Hui-Ru Lou, Er-Xia Chen, Jin-Xia Yang and Qipu Lin","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00120C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00120C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Elucidating the influence of intermolecular weak interactions on third-order nonlinear optical (TONLO) responses remains a significant challenge in materials science. Herein, two isostructural enantiomeric pairs of tetranuclear organotin-oxo clusters, denoted as <small>D</small>/<small>L</small>-Sn<small><sub>4</sub></small>-Boc and <small>D</small>/<small>L</small>-Sn<small><sub>4</sub></small>-Cbz, were synthesized <em>via</em> a solvothermal approach. Both clusters feature an identical distorted S-shaped framework, functionalized with chiral alanine derivatives bearing <em>tert</em>-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) or benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) groups. The peripheral alkyl and aryl substituents impart remarkable chemical robustness and hydrophobicity. Notably, the presence of an additional benzene ring in the Cbz-functionalized carboxylate ligand introduces more C–H⋯π interaction sites relative to the Boc-functionalized analogue, shortening the contact distance from 3.06 to 2.89 Å and inducing a more compact helical packing. Consequently, the Cbz-modified cluster exhibits a substantially enhanced nonlinear absorption coefficient (<em>β</em> = 3.5 × 10<small><sup>−8</sup></small> m W<small><sup>−1</sup></small>) compared to the Boc-modified analogue (<em>β</em> = 1.0 × 10<small><sup>−8</sup></small> m W<small><sup>−1</sup></small>). This study demonstrates that subtle ligand modifications can effectively tune weak intermolecular forces, thereby offering a viable strategy for optimizing the TONLO performance of metal-oxo clusters.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 21","pages":" 3298-3304"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148141602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-17DOI: 10.1039/D5CE01218J
Mengwen Hu, Piyu Gong, Jumiao Shi, Shuo Tao, Haibo Li, Suyuan Zeng and Lei Wang
{"title":"Study on the preparation of Mn2V2O7 microstructure with enhanced electrochemical lithium storage performance","authors":"Mengwen Hu, Piyu Gong, Jumiao Shi, Shuo Tao, Haibo Li, Suyuan Zeng and Lei Wang","doi":"10.1039/D5CE01218J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CE01218J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >In this work, Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>V<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>7</sub></small> microstructures were synthesized and utilized as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The kinetic process of Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>V<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>7</sub></small> electrode reactions was investigated by cyclic voltammetry at different scan rates, and the lithium-ion diffusion kinetics in the electrode materials were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique. The formed plate-shaped Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>V<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>7</sub></small> microstructure offered a discharge capacity of 635.7 mA h g<small><sup>−1</sup></small> after 1000 cycles as tested at 5.0 A g<small><sup>−1</sup></small>. The plate stacked porous microstructure contributes to the transport of lithium ions, the synergistic effect between Mn and V improves the electrochemical activity, and the pseudocapacitive effect enhances the lithium storage capacity. Therefore, the formed plate-shaped Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>V<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>7</sub></small> microstructure presents a promising application in energy storage devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 19","pages":" 3056-3063"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147967881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-16DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00106H
Jianghe Liao, Fuming Deng, Ziyi Liu, Yong Li, Qiang Chen, Houzhen Chen, Xiaotian Xing, Wenli Deng and Yishuang Xu
{"title":"Effect of N–H–S codoping on high-pressure synthesized diamond along the (100) crystal plane","authors":"Jianghe Liao, Fuming Deng, Ziyi Liu, Yong Li, Qiang Chen, Houzhen Chen, Xiaotian Xing, Wenli Deng and Yishuang Xu","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00106H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00106H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The synthesis of diamonds containing specific target elements is crucial for developing diamond properties. Nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and sulfur (S) are key elements that alter the characteristics of diamond. But, further development of diamonds is hindered by the difficulty in synthesizing high-quality diamonds due to the presence of S. In order to diversify the preparation routes for diamonds containing specific target elements and to synthesize high-quality sulfur cooperative multi-element-doped diamonds, this study selected CH<small><sub>4</sub></small>N<small><sub>2</sub></small>S doping within the FeNiCo–C synthesis system to simulate the sulphide multi-element interaction environment present in natural diamond growth and successfully synthesized yellow diamonds exhibiting a hexa-octahedron morphology. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicates a gradual increase in nitrogen content in the synthesized diamonds with increasing CH<small><sub>4</sub></small>N<small><sub>2</sub></small>S doping concentration. The nitrogen existence form transitions from nitrogen C-centers to a coexisting form of nitrogen C-centers and A-aggregated nitrogen. Combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, it was found that the diamond synthesized with 1.6 wt% CH<small><sub>4</sub></small>N<small><sub>2</sub></small>S doping contained the target dopant elements nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and sulfur (S). Specifically, H existed in the diamond as –CH<small><sub>2</sub></small>– bonds and –CH<small><sub>3</sub></small> groups, while S was present as C–S bonds. Raman spectroscopy characterization indicates that all three synthesized diamond samples exhibit a single sp<small><sup>3</sup></small>-hybridized diamond phase with good crystalline quality. This study provides experimental data for synthesizing diamonds containing specific elements. It also offers some reference value for understanding the formation of natural diamonds.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 18","pages":" 2947-2953"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147872233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-16DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00162A
Feng Xie, Guoyang Wang, Liang Yu and Shuangquan Fang
{"title":"Ion doping induced photoconductivity enhancement and fast photorefractive response in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals: defect structure evolution and mechanism","authors":"Feng Xie, Guoyang Wang, Liang Yu and Shuangquan Fang","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00162A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00162A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Lithium niobate (LiNbO<small><sub>3</sub></small>, LN) and lithium tantalate (LiTaO<small><sub>3</sub></small>, LT) crystals are two of the most important photorefractive materials with extensive applications in holographic storage and optical information processing. However, their long photorefractive response time and relatively low sensitivity have significantly restricted their practical applications. In this work, a systematic study on the ion doping effects on the photorefractive properties of LN and LT crystals was performed. Pr:Fe:LiNbO<small><sub>3</sub></small> and Zn:LiTaO<small><sub>3</sub></small> crystals with different doping concentrations were successfully grown by the conventional Czochralski method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy were employed to investigate the defect structure evolution and ion occupation mechanism in Zn:LiTaO<small><sub>3</sub></small> crystals. The results revealed that Zn<small><sup>2+</sup></small> ions preferentially replace the antisite tantalum (Ta<small><sub>Li<small><sup>4+</sup></small></sub></small>) defects at low doping concentrations, while occupying both Li and Ta sites simultaneously above the threshold concentration, forming a Zn<small><sub>Ta<small><sup>3−</sup></small></sub></small>–3Zn<small><sub>Li<small><sup>+</sup></small></sub></small> self-compensation structure. Two-wave coupling experiments demonstrate that both doping strategies significantly enhance the photorefractive response speed. In Pr:Fe:LiNbO<small><sub>3</sub></small>, the introduction of Pr ions reduces the response time from 142 s to 35 s while maintaining a high exponential gain coefficient. In Zn:LiTaO<small><sub>3</sub></small>, increasing Zn concentration leads to a monotonic decrease in response time, attributed to the alteration of the dominant charge transport mechanism. Theoretical analysis confirms that the enhancement in photoconductivity, driven by the modification of defect structures, is the primary mechanism responsible for the fast response in both crystal systems. These results provide a comprehensive guide for optimizing ferroelectric crystals for real-time optical information processing.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 18","pages":" 2954-2964"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147872234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A pentagonal bipyramidal cobalt(ii) single-ion magnet tape","authors":"Meng-Tan Cai, Akshay Pratap Singh, Zi-Han Xu, Dong Shao, Si-Chen Zhang, Jiong Yang, Bing-Shan Zhao and Saurabh Kumar Singh","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00257A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00257A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A one-dimensional (1D) coordination tape with a ladder topology featuring pentagonal bipyramidal cobalt(<small>II</small>) centers was synthesized and magnetically characterized. Magnetic studies combined with <em>ab initio</em> calculations reveal the large easy-plane magnetic anisotropy of the tape, along with field-induced single-ion magnet (SIM) properties, which renders this coordination tape the first seven-coordinate SIM tape.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 18","pages":" 2905-2910"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147872228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-16DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00187D
Prasitaditya Kuri and Jagadeesh Babu Nanubolu
{"title":"Synthon-driven polymorphism in the favipiravir–theophylline cocrystal","authors":"Prasitaditya Kuri and Jagadeesh Babu Nanubolu","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00187D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00187D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Screening polymorphs in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and evaluating their stability aspects are crucial for selecting the desired crystalline form that exhibits optimal solid-state properties. In this study, we report and discuss the elusive nature of the second form (form II) of the favipiravir–theophylline cocrystal. This form was obtained only once and never appeared again despite extensive crystallisation efforts. In contrast, the previously identified form I has consistently emerged under a wide range of crystallisation experiments. This observation prompted us to investigate the underlying structural, thermal and energetic characteristics of the system. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed distinct structural differences between the two forms; form I exhibits a homosynthon, whereas form II contains a heterosynthon between favipiravir and theophylline. Variations in synthons impart distinct crystal packing arrangements to each form. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) were employed to assess thermal behaviour and phase transitions. The results indicate that form I is the thermodynamically stable polymorph, while form II represents the kinetic polymorph. Furthermore, lattice energy calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis confirm the greater stability of form I. Despite the favourable synthon energy associated with the heterosynthon in form II, form I is favoured due to its overall higher lattice stabilisation energy. Additionally, packing efficiency and crystal density calculations showed that form I has a higher packing index, which contributes to its enhanced stability over form II. This study highlights the intricate kinetic-thermodynamic balance governing polymorphic landscapes and provides valuable insights into the phenomenon of disappearing polymorphs in the favipiravir–theophylline cocrystal.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 17","pages":" 2721-2735"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-14DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00024J
Dongxu Han, Haijun Pan, Zhan Huang, Guili Xu, Songwei Wang and Guangyu Li
{"title":"Investigating the synergistic strengthening in additively manufactured CuCrZr alloys: an in situ study of heterogeneous microstructure deformation and CPFEM analysis","authors":"Dongxu Han, Haijun Pan, Zhan Huang, Guili Xu, Songwei Wang and Guangyu Li","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00024J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00024J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Additive manufacturing of CuCrZr alloys produces unique heterogeneous microstructures of co-existing coarse and fine grains, leading to high room-temperature strength. However, the specific mechanisms governing this enhancement are not yet well understood. Here, we combine <em>in situ</em> micromechanical testing with CPFEM to analyze the deformation behavior. <em>In situ</em> DIC reveals that the soft, coarse grains accommodate initial plastic strain, while the hard, fine grains constrain deformation and contribute to the overall strength. This strain incompatibility drives the formation of high-density GNDs at the interfaces between coarse and fine grains, as observed through <em>in situ</em> EBSD and quantified by CPFEM. We demonstrate that the resulting long-range back stresses from these GNDs produce a potent HDI hardening effect, which our CPFEM model quantifies as an additional back-stress contribution of an approximately 16% increment in yield strength. This HDI effect acts as a secondary strengthening contribution that complements traditional grain-boundary effects. This work examines the interaction within heterogeneous structures and offers a strategy for designing advanced additively manufactured alloys.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 19","pages":" 3144-3156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147967863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CrystEngCommPub Date : 2026-04-14DOI: 10.1039/D6CE00172F
Ilia D. Shutilov, Pavel A. Volodin, Lyubov V. Frantsuzova, Aidar T. Gubaidullin, Alexander S. Ovsyannikov, Svetlana E. Solovieva and Igor S. Antipin
{"title":"Coordination pyramid inversion, angular cluster core and homochiral single-stranded helix formation in polynuclear Mn(ii) assemblies supported by a bicompartmental salen-type ligand based on an o-xylylenediamine platform","authors":"Ilia D. Shutilov, Pavel A. Volodin, Lyubov V. Frantsuzova, Aidar T. Gubaidullin, Alexander S. Ovsyannikov, Svetlana E. Solovieva and Igor S. Antipin","doi":"10.1039/D6CE00172F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CE00172F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Although salen-type compartmental ligands have a rich history, these fascinating compounds still attract considerable attention due to the wide potential applications that their complexes can exhibit. By varying the flexibility of the spacer group, connecting two NO-chelating salicylideneamine moieties, and adjusting the type of anchored additional binding sites or co-ligands used, the formation of 3d metal clusters with the desired nuclearity can be achieved. In this work, we report the synthesis of two new binuclear {Mn<small><sup>II</sup></small><small><sub>2</sub></small>} (<strong>1-Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>Cl<small><sub>3</sub></small></strong> and <strong>1-Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>Cl<small><sub>2</sub></small></strong>) clusters and one angular (pseudo-linear) trinuclear {Mn<small><sup>II</sup></small><small><sub>3</sub></small>} (<strong>1<small><sub>2</sub></small>-Mn<small><sub>3</sub></small>Cl<small><sub>2</sub></small></strong>) cluster, supported by an <em>o</em>-xylylenediamine Schiff base derivative, bearing <em>o</em>-methoxy-substituted salicylideneamine units and acting as a bicompartmental ligand. The structures of prepared Mn-based complexes were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), revealing the role of <em>o</em>-xylylenediamine platform on the diversity of observed coordination motifs. For the first time, in the case of {Mn<small><sup>II</sup></small><small><sub>2</sub></small>} clusters, displaying a similar coordination motif, it was established that the Mn atom, accommodated within the N<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> coordination pocket, can adopt two different orientations of the MnN<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small>Cl coordination pyramid relative to the <em>o</em>-xylylene spacer group. Additionally, the simultaneous effect of H-bonding, electrostatic and CH/π interactions between the anionic <strong>1-Mn<small><sub>2</sub></small>Cl<small><sub>3</sub></small></strong> cluster and the NHEt<small><sub>3</sub></small> cation species leads to the formation of helices, stacked in a homochiral crystal with the polar chiral <em>P</em>4<small><sub>1</sub></small> space group, which is reported for the first time for complexes based on salen-type ligands. Finally, the formation of the trinuclear complex <strong>1<small><sub>2</sub></small>-Mn<small><sub>3</sub></small>Cl<small><sub>2</sub></small></strong>, exhibiting an unusual angular motif of the cluster core, stabilized by the ligand structure and intramolecular CH/π-bonding, is observed.</p>","PeriodicalId":70,"journal":{"name":"CrystEngComm","volume":" 20","pages":" 3232-3240"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148011682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}