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The use of nanotubes in the solution state is crucial not only for the exploration of physical and chemical behaviors at the molecular level but also for application such as thin-film fabrication. Surface modification is generally used to solubilize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and various synthetic nanotubes; however, this method may affect the surface properties of the original nanotubes, and the detailed crystal structure obtained after modification is unclear. Here, we report the synthesis of a crystalline and soluble metal-organic nanotube consisting of a cationic tubular framework and an anion with a long alkyl chain. The nanotubular structures are formed not only in the solid state but also in the solution state, as confirmed by an X-ray structural analysis, optical measurements, and electron microscopy studies. This nanotube system is realized in different states without any surface modification, which is quite different from typical CNTs and synthetic nanotubes. In addition, self-assembled crystalline bundles are directly observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the first time in a metal-organic nanotube system. The bundle structures are also confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations of thin nanotube films. We envisage a systematic design of such soluble metal-organic nanotubes that will enable direct observation of mass transport behavior in channels of bundles or a single nanotube, as well as a wide range of thin-film applications.

Chiral sulfoximines have recently been considered as promising bioisosteres in medicinal chemistry. However, methods for preparing chiral sulfoximines in a stereoselective manner are underdeveloped. Herein, we demonstrate an asymmetric synthesis of chiral sulfoximines through a stereospecific S -alkylation of readily accessible chiral sulfinamides under practical conditions. A key to establishing the practical conditions was the identification of the intermediate structure in our previously reported S -alkylation by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), made from various metal nodes and organic linkers, provide diverse research platforms for proton conduction. Here, we report on the superprotonic conduction of a Pt dimer based MOF, [Pt 2 (MPC) 4 Cl 2 Co(DMA)(HDMA)·guest] (H 2 MPC, 6-mercaptopyridine-3-carboxylic acid; DMA, dimethylamine). In this framework, a protic dimethylammonium cation (HDMA + ) is trapped inside a pore through hydrogen bonding with an MPC ligand. Proton conductivity and X-ray measurements revealed that trapped HDMA + works as a preinstalled switch, where HDMA + changes its relative position and forms an effective proton-conducting pathway upon hydration, resulting in more than 10 5 times higher proton conductivity in comparison to that of the dehydrated form. Moreover, the anisotropy of single-crystal proton conductivity reveals the proton-conducting direction within the crystal. The present results offer insights into functional materials having a strong coupling of molecular dynamic motion and transport properties., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Metal string complexes, linearly aligned transition metal arrays coordinated with the multidentate organic ligands, have gained much attention both in unique electronic/structural properties and in potential applications as conductive molecular nanowires. Here we report on a dimerized Ni II trinuclear complex, [Ni 6 Cl 2 (dpa) 8 ](I 5 ) 2 ·0.25I 2 (dpa - = 2,2'-dipyridylamide anion). X-ray structural analysis revealed that two trinuclear moieties are bridged by a Cl anion to form a dimerized string structure. This is the first example of two Ni string complexes that are connected. In the electronic absorption and Raman spectra, characteristic absorption bands and a vibration mode based on the dimer string structure were observed. In the solid state, dimer complexes align in one dimension in an MMMXMMMX (M = metal, X = halogen) manner, leading to the intra- and interdimer antiferromagnetic interactions.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films have recently attracted much attention as a new platform for surface/interface research, where unconventional structural and physical properties emerge. Among the many MOFs as candidates for fabrication of thin films, Hofmann-type MOFs {Fe(pz)[M(CN) 4 ]} [pz = pyrazine; M = Ni ( Nipz ), M = Pt ( Ptpz )] are attractive, because they undergo spin transitions with concomitant structural changes. Here, we demonstrate the first example of a strain-controlled spin transition in heterostructured MOF thin films. The spin transition temperature of Ptpz can be controlled in the temperature range of 300-380 K by fabricating a nanometer-sized heterostructured thin film with a Nipz buffer layer, where the smaller lattice of Nipz causes epitaxial compressive strain to the Ptpz layer. The fabricated heterostructured thin film exhibited a remarkable increase in spin transition temperature with a dynamic structural transformation, confirmed by variable-temperature (VT) X-ray diffraction and VT Raman spectroscopy. By verifying interfacial strain in a heterostructured thin film, we can rationally control the characteristics of MOFs-not only spin transition but also various physical properties such as gas storage, catalysis, sensing, proton conductivity, and electrical properties, among others.

The spin-crossover phenomenon in nanomaterials has been the subject of exploratory investigations for stimuli-responsive switching properties at nanoscale. Using variable-temperature Raman spectroscopy, we investigated changes in the temperature-driven spin-transition property of {Fe(py) 2 [Pt(CN) 4 ]} (py = pyridine) induced by a size reduction from a bulk polycrystalline powder to an ultrathin film (crystallite size, 15 nm). When the crystallite size was reduced, the spin-transition temperature shifted lower and the spin-transition curves became less steep. In the thin-film form, the residual high-spin fraction was found to be about 20%.

Two types of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), including {P(CH 2 OH) 4 } 6 [Mn II 3 {Cr III (ox) 3 } 4 ]·10H 2 O·2EtOH ( 1 ) and {P(CH 2 OH) 4 }[M II Cr III (ox) 3 ]·H 2 O (M = Fe ( 2 ), and Co ( 3 )), are selectively formed by a reaction of {P(CH 2 OH) 4 }Br, MCl 2 , and (NH 4 ) 3 [Cr(ox) 3 ]. 1 has the 3-D anionic framework, [Mn 3 {Cr(ox) 3 } 4 ] n 6 n - , consisting of the Mn 4 Cr 4 octagonal and Mn 6 Cr 6 dodecagonal channels, in which {P(CH 2 OH) 4 } + ions and the solvation molecules (H 2 O and EtOH) are accommodated. 2 and 3 have a 2-D network of oxalate-bridged bimetallic sheets with an intercalation of {P(CH 2 OH) 4 = 5.6 K for + , 10.6 K for T , and 12.2 K for C = 5.6 K for 1 , 10.6 K for 2 , and 12.2 K for 3 . The {P(CH 2 OH) 4 } + ions in the MOFs promote proton transfer via the vehicle mechanism, which gives rise to a significant room-temperature conductivity of 1.03 × 10 -4 S cm -1 at 70% RH for 1 , 4.60 × 10 -6 S cm -1 at 60% RH for 2 , and 3.04 × 10 -5 S cm -1 at 70% RH for 3 .

Neutral triangular macrocyclic compounds, [PdX 2 (4,7-phen)] 3 ·(DMF) 3 ·Et 2 O (X = Cl, Br; 4,7-phen = 4,7-phenanthroline; DMF = N, N'-dimethylformamide; Et 2 O = diethyl ether), were synthesized, and their molecular structures were characterized. Solution-state 1 H NMR results suggested the formation of metal-ligand bonds, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography revealed clear triangular structures. A detailed examination of the structures indicated the formation of two kinds of cavities in the solid state, where a triangular unit works as a halogen-based receptor for polar and apolar solvents through weak hydrogen-bonding and dipole-dipole interaction.

Mechanical control of the molecular energy landscape is an important issue in modern materials science. Mechanophores play a unique role in that the mechanical responses are induced against the activation barrier for intramolecular transformation with the aid of external forces. Here we report an unprecedented activation process of a flexible flapping mechanophore. Namely, thermal void collapse in a crystalline phase triggers mechanophore compression in a definite proportion. Unfavored conformational planarization of the flapping mechanophore is compulsorily induced by packing force, leading to a total energy gain in crystal packing. Fluorescence chromism indicates extended π conjugation resulting from the mechanophore compression, giving rise to an energy transfer from the unpressed to compressed conformers.

We report the fabrication and characterization of the first example of a tetracyanonickelate-based two-dimensional-layered metal-organic framework, {Fe(py) 2 Ni(CN) 4 } (py = pyridine), thin film. To fabricate a nanometer-sized thin film, we utilized the layer-by-layer method, whereby a substrate was alternately soaked in solutions of the structural components. Surface X-ray studies revealed that the fabricated film was crystalline with well-controlled growth directions both parallel and perpendicular to the substrate. In addition, lattice parameter analysis indicated that the crystal system is found to be close to higher symmetry by being downsized to a thin film.

Fabrication of thin films made of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been intensively pursued for practical applications that use the structural response of MOFs. However, to date, only physisorption-induced structural response has been studied in these films. Chemisorption can be expected to provide a remarkable structural response because of the formation of bonds between guest molecules and reactive metal sites in host MOFs. Here, we report that chemisorption-induced two-way structural transformation in a nanometer-sized MOF thin film. We prepared a two-dimensional layered-type MOF Fe[Pt(CN) 4 ] thin film using a step-by-step approach. Although the as-synthesized film showed poor crystallinity, the dehydrated form of this thin film had a highly oriented crystalline nature (Film-D) as confirmed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surprisingly, under water and pyridine vapors, Film-D showed chemisorption-induced dynamic structural transformations to Fe(L) 2 [Pt(CN) 4 ] thin films [L = H 2 O (Film-H), pyridine (Film-P)], where water and pyridine coordinated to the open Fe 2+ site. Dynamic structural transformations were also confirmed by in situ XRD, sorption measurement, and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. This is the first report of chemisorption-induced dynamic structural response in a MOF thin film, and it provides useful insights, which would lead to future practical applications of MOFs utilizing chemisorption-induced structural responses.

An electrically conductive D-A-D aggregate composed of a single component was first constructed by use of a protonated bimetal dithiolate (complex 1H 2 ). The crystal structure of complex 1H 2 has one-dimensional (1-D) π-stacking columns where the D and A moieties are placed in a segregated-stacking manner. In addition, these segregated-stacking 1-D columns are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The result of a theoretical band calculation suggests that a conduction pathway forms along these 1-D columns. The transport property of complex 1H 2 is semiconducting (E a = 0.29 eV, ρ rt = 9.1 × 10 4 Ω cm) at ambient pressure; however, the resistivity becomes much lower upon applying high pressure up to 8.8 GPa (E a = 0.13 eV, ρ rt = 6.2 × 10 Ω cm at 8.8 GPa). The pressure dependence of structural and optical changes indicates that the enhancement of conductivity is attributed to not only an increase of π-π overlapping but also a unique pressure-induced intramolecular charge transfer from D to A moieties in this D-A-D aggregate.

One-dimensional (1D) electronic systems have attracted significant attention for a long time because of their various physical properties. Among 1D electronic systems, 1D halogen-bridged mixed-valence transition-metal complexes (the so-called MX chains) have been thoroughly studied owing to designable structures and electronic states. Here, we report the syntheses, structures, and electronic properties of three kinds of novel neutral MX-chain complexes. The crystal structures consist of 1D chains of Pt-X repeating units with (1R,2R)-(-)-diaminocychlohexane and CN(-) in-plane ligands. Because of the absence of a counteranion, the neutral MX chains have short interchain distances, so that strong interchain electronic interaction is expected. Resonance Raman spectra and diffuse-reflectance UV-vis spectra indicate that their electronic states are mixed-valence states (charge-density-wave state: Pt(2+)···X-Pt(4+)-X···Pt(2+)···X-Pt(4+)-X···). In addition, the relationship between the intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) band gap and the degree of distortion of the 1D chain shows that the neutral MX chains have a larger IVCT band gap than that of cationic MX-chain complexes. These results provide new insight into the physical and electronic properties of 1D chain compounds.

Highly oriented crystalline thin films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have promising practical applications, such as in gas separation, catalysis, and sensing. We report on the successful fabrication of highly oriented crystalline thin films of three-dimensional porous MOFs, Fe(pz)[M(CN)4] (M = Ni, Pd; pz = pyrazine). Synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies reveal not only the highly oriented crystalline nature but also the remarkable shrunken structure of the thin films (∼3-7% volume shrinkage) compared with bulk samples. Furthermore, because of lattice shrinkage, these films exhibit large lattice expansions upon guest adsorption, in marked contrast to the almost unchanged lattice in the bulk samples.

Understanding the role that crystal imperfections or defects play on the physical properties of a solid material is important for any application. In this report, the highly unique crystal structure of the metal-organic framework (MOF) zirconium 2-sulfoterephthalate is presented. This MOF contains a large number of partially occupied ligand and metal cluster sites which directly affect the physical properties of the material. The partially occupied ligand positions give rise to a continuum of pore sizes within this highly porous MOF, supported by N2 gas sorption and micropore analysis. Furthermore, this MOF is lined with sulfonic acid groups, implying a high proton concentration in the pore, but defective zirconium clusters are found to be effective proton trapping sites, which was investigated by a combination of AC impedance analysis to measure the proton conductivity and DFT calculations to determine the solvation energies of the protons in the pore. Based on the calculations, methods to control the pKa of the clusters and improve the conductivity by saturating the zirconium clusters with strong acids were utilized, and a 5-fold increase in proton conductivity was achieved using these methods. High proton conductivity of 5.62 × 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 95% relative humidity and 65 °C could be achieved, with little change down to 40% relative humidity at room temperature.

Proton conduction of the La(III)M(III) compounds, LaM(ox)3·10H2O (abbreviated to LaM; M = Cr, Co, Ru, La; ox(2-) = oxalate) is studied in view of their networks. LaCr and LaCo have a ladder structure, and the ladders are woven to form a channel network. LaRu and LaLa have a honeycomb sheet structure, and the sheets are combined to form a layer network. The occurrence of these structures is explained by the rigidness versus flexibility of [M(ox)3](3-) in the framework with large La(III). The channel networks of LaCr and LaCo show a remarkably high proton conductivity, in the range from 1 × 10(-6) to 1 × 10(-5) S cm(-1) over 40-95% relative humidity (RH) at 298 K, whereas the layer networks of LaCr and LaCo show a lower proton conductivity, ∼3 × 10(-8) S cm(-1) (40-95% RH, 298 K). Activation energy measurements demonstrate that the channels filled with water molecules serve as efficient pathways for proton transport. LaCo was gradually converted to La(III)Co(II)(ox)2.5·4H2O, which had no channel structure and exhibited a low proton conductivity of less than 1 × 10(-10) S cm(-1). The conduction-network correlation of LaCo(ox)2.5·4H2O is reported.

We report that a new 2D 3d-4f phosphonate [Co(III)La(III)(notpH)(H2O)6]ClO4·5H2O (CoLa-II) can undergo a phase transition above 45 °C and 93% relative humidity, resulting in [H3O][CoLa(notp)(H2O)4]ClO4·3H2O (CoLa-III). The transition is accompanied by the release of the proton from intralayer to interlayer, and thus the proton conductivity of the material is increased by 1 order of magnitude.

Ladder systems situated in a crossover from one dimensionality to two dimensionalities have been an attractive research target, because the physical properties, which are associated with dimensionality, are strongly dependent on the number of constituent legs. However, control of the intraladder configuration and electronic properties based on the substitution of structural components remain challenging tasks in materials science. On the other hand, structural design using coordination chemistry offers crucial advantages for architectural and electronic variations through substitutions of metal-organic building blocks. Here, we show the rational design and electronic properties of novel metal complex-based two-legged ladder compounds with several organic rung units: 4,4'-bipyridine, trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane, and 4,4'-azopyridine. Single-crystal X-ray studies show that these two-legged ladder compounds are composed of halogen-bridged mixed-valence one-dimensional chains (MX chains) as their constituent legs. Depending on the molecular shape of the organic rung units, unique configurations of two-legged ladder lattices with periodic distortion of the legs are achieved. In addition, the electronic absorption spectra show that intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) band gap of the two-legged ladder system increases with increasing degree of distortion of the leg. We have demonstrated for the first time that a two-legged ladder system shows a unique relationship between IVCT energy and the distortion parameter of the leg, as distinct from a single MX chain system. These systematic investigations, not only of configurations based on the rung variation but also of electronic states in metal-organic ladder system, provide the possibility for wide and rational tunings of physical and electronic properties of metal complex-based functional materials.

The electrical properties of a highly oriented crystalline MOF nanofilm were studied. This nanofilm has low activation energy and a proton conductivity that is among the highest value reported for MOF materials. The study uncovered the reasons for the excellent performance of this nanofilm and revealed a new pathway for proton transport in MOF materials; besides the channels inside a MOF, the surface of the MOF nanocrystal can also dominate proton transport.

The preparation of crystalline, ordered thin films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) will be a critical process for MOF-based nanodevices in the future. MOF thin films with perfect orientation and excellent crystallinity were formed with novel nanosheet-structured components, Cu-TCPP [TCPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin], by a new "modular assembly" strategy. The modular assembly process involves two steps: a "modularization" step is used to synthesize highly crystalline "modules" with a nanosized structure that can be conveniently assembled into a thin film in the following "assembly" step. With this method, MOF thin films can easily be set up on different substrates at very high speed with controllable thickness. This new approach also enabled us to prepare highly oriented crystalline thin films of MOFs that cannot be prepared in thin-film form by traditional techniques.

Fabrication of a crystalline ordered thin film based on the porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is one of the practical applications of the future functional nanomaterials. Here, we report the creation of a highly oriented three-dimensional (3-D) porous pillared-layer-type MOF thin film on a metal substrate using a step-by-step approach based on liquid-phase epitaxy. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) study clearly indicates that the thin film is crystalline and its orientation is highly controlled in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to the substrate. This report provides the first confirmation of details of not only the crystallinity but also the orientation of 3-D MOF thin film using synchrotron XRD. Moreover, we also demonstrate its guest adsorption/desorption behavior by using in situ XRD measurements. The results presented here would promise useful insights for fabrication of MOF-based nanodevices in the future.

Intramolecular hydroarylation of 4-benzofuranyl alkynoates using Pd(OAc)(2) as catalyst took place selectively and efficiently, giving angular furocoumarin derivatives in high yields. The parent angelicin was obtained in 80% yield by this method. The starting 4-benzofuranyl alkynoates were easily accessible from readily available 4-hydroxybenzofurans and alkynoic acids.

The aim of this study is to investigate the biodistribution of phosphatidylinositol (PI) after oral administration and its anti-obesity effect. When a suspension of radiolabeled PI was orally administered to mice and the biodistribution was examined, PI radioactivity accumulated in the liver compared to myo-inositol radioactivity at 48 h or later after administration. Then, a PI suspension was orally administered to diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice every 4 days, and the anti-obesity effect of PI was examined. As a result, PI suppressed the body weight increase of DIO mice and significantly reduced the plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol. Furthermore, PI regulated the expression of some genes in the liver involved in lipid synthesis and metabolism. The present study demonstrated that PI accumulated in the liver after oral administration and exerted its anti-obesity effect on DIO by regulating the expression of certain genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver.

We report the hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, and thermal, optical, and magnetic properties of two isostructural layered coordination polymers, [M(II)(5)(OH)(2)(chtc)(2)(H(2)O)(10)]·2H(2)O where M = Co (1Co) or Ni (2Ni) and chtc = cis,cis,cis-1,2,4,5-cyclohexanetetracarboxylate. The structures consist of segregated layers where each layer is formed of M(3)(OH)(2) diamond chains, involving edge- and corner-sharing octahedra, bridged by M(chtc)(2). In the space created by the chains and the bridges exists channels, which house the coordinated and noncoordinated water molecules, all hydrogen bonded to form a dodecamer, with a central cyclohexane chair shape ring. Interestingly, the water molecules of 2Ni are more difficult to remove than those of 1Co, but pyrolysis of the latter takes place at higher temperature. The magnetic properties are characterized by Néel transition to fully compensated antiferromagnets at 5.8 K (1Co) and 3.0 K (2Ni). The moments are easily reversed in an applied field of 150 Oe (1Co) and 300 Oe (2Ni) to a ferrimagnet with one uncompensated moment followed by a nonlinear increase to a saturation corresponding to a ferrimagnet with three uncompensated moments. Further, point charge calculations to estimate the weak bonding energies between the various types of interaction are reported.

The electrical resistivity and X-ray oscillation photograph measurements for an MMX-chain complex, Pt2(dtp)4I (dtp = C2H5CS2-), under high pressure were performed. We observed the most stable metallic phase (TMI = 70 K, under 2.2 GPa) in the 1-D purely d-electronic conductors and pressure-induced metal-insulator transition including the structural phase transition at 3.0 GPa.

Quantitative analyses of the chemical state of the 16c residue of the alpha 1 chain of bone collagen were performed on samples from fetal (4-6-month embryo) and mature (2-3 year old) bovine animals. All of this residue could be accounted for in terms of three chemical states, in relative amounts which depended upon the age of the animal. Most of the residue was incorporated into either bifunctional or trifunctional cross-links. Some of it, however, was present as free aldehyde, and the content increased with maturation. This was established by isolating and characterizing the aldehyde-containing peptides generated by tryptic digestion of NaB3H4-reduced mature bone collagen. We have concluded that the connectivity of COOH-terminal cross-linking in bone collagen fibrils changes with maturation in the following way: at first, each 16c residue in each of the two alpha 1 chains of the collagen molecule is incorporated into a sheet-like pattern of intermolecular iminium cross-links, which stabilizes the young, nonmineralized fibril as a whole. In time, some of these labile cross-links maturate into pyridinoline while others dissociate back to their precursor form. The latter is likely due to changes in the molecular packing brought about by the mineralization of the collagen fibrils. The resultant reduction in cross-linking connectivity may provide a mechanism for enhancing certain mechanical characteristics of the skeleton of a mature animal.