Supramolecular Assembly of pH-Sensitive Triphenylene Derived π-Gelators and Their Application as Molecular Template for the Preparation of Silica Nanotubes.

The gelation properties and mode of self-assembly of six asymmetrical hexaether triphenylene derivatives mono-functionalized with carboxylic and primary amine groups were investigated. The presence of a carboxylic and amine group attached to the triphenylene core generated stable, thermo- and pH-sensitive supramolecular π-organogels with a reversible response to both stimuli. In order to understand the gelation process, we studied the effect of the spacer length and found a different gelation scope for the acid and basic derivatives that accounts for a different supramolecular self-assembly. The presence of the basic group on the amino derivatives was used to guide and catalyze the templated in situ sol-gel polymerization of TEOS and allowed us, under controlled hydrolytic conditions, to prepare an entangled fibrillar network of silica nanotubes.

Relative influence of noncovalent interactions on the melting points of a homologous series of 1,2-dibromo-4,5-dialkoxybenzenes.

Crystal structures are presented for two members of the homologous series of 1,2-dibromo-4,5-dialkoxybenzenes, viz. those with decyloxy and hexadecyloxy substituents, namely 1,2-dibromo-4,5-bis(decyloxy)benzene, C(26)H(44)Br(2)O(2), (II), and 1,2-dibromo-4,5-bis(hexadecyloxy)benzene, C(38)H(68)Br(2)O(2), (III). The relative influences which halogen bonding, π-π stacking and van der Waals interactions have on these structures are analysed and the results compared with those already found for the lightest homologue, 1,2-dibromo-4,5-dimethoxybenzene, (I) [Cukiernik, Zelcer, Garland & Baggio (2008). Acta Cryst. C64, o604-o608]. The results confirm that the prevalent interactions stabilizing the structures of (II) and (III) are van der Waals contacts between the aliphatic chains. In the case of (II), weak halogen C-Br···(Br-C)' interactions are also present and contribute to the stability of the structure. In the case of (III), van der Waals interactions between the aliphatic chains are almost exclusive, weaker C-Br···π interactions being the only additional interactions detected. The results are in line with commonly accepted models concerning trends in crystal stability along a homologous series (as measured by their melting points), but the earlier report for n = 1, and the present report for n = 10 and 16, are among the few providing single-crystal information validating the hypothesis.

Comparison of halogen bonding and van der Waals and pi-pi interactions in 4,5-dibromo-2-hexyloxyphenol.

The title compound, C(12)H(16)BrO(2), is an interesting case of a simple organic molecule making use of five different types of intra- and intermolecular interactions (viz. conventional and nonconventional hydrogen bonds, and pi-pi, Br...Br and Br...O contacts), all of them relevant in the molecular and crystal structure geometry. The molecules are strictly planar, with an intramolecular O-H...O hydrogen bond, and associate into two-dimensional structures parallel to (201) through two different types of halogen bonding. The planar structures, in turn, stack parallel to each other interlinked by C-H...pi and pi-pi contacts. Also discussed are the relevant structural features leading to the rather low melting point of the compound.