Probing anion-π interactions in 1-D Co(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) coordination polymers containing flexible pyrazine ligands

Two flexible thioether-containing heterocyclic ligands bis(2-pyrazylmethyl)sulfide (L1) and 2-benzylsulfanylmethylpyrazine (L2) have arene rings with differing pi-acidities which were used to probe anion-pi binding in five 1-D coordination polymers formed from the metal salts Co(ClO4)(2), Ni(NO3)(2), and Cd(NO3)(2). In {[Co(L1)(MeCN)(2)](ClO4)(2)}(infinity) (1), {[Ni(L1)(NO3)(2)]}(infinity) (2), and {[Cd-2(L1)(MeCN)(H2O)(NO3)(4)]center dot H2O}(infinity) (3 center dot H2O), the symmetrical ligand L1 was bound facially to the metal center and was bridged through a pyrazine donor to an adjacent metal forming a polymer chain. The folding of L1 formed U-shaped pi-pockets in 1 and 3 center dot H2O which encapsulated free and bound anions, respectively. The anions interacted with the pi-acidic centers in a variety of different binding modes including anion-pi-anion and pi-anion-pi sandwiching. A wider pi-pocket was formed in 2 which also contained anion-pi interactions. The polymer chains in 2 were interdigitated through a rare type of complementary T-shaped N(pyrazine)center dot center dot center dot pi interaction. In {[Co(L2)(H2O)(3)](ClO4)(2)center dot H2O}(infinity) (4 center dot H2O) and {[Cd(L2)(H2O)(NO3)(2)]}(infinity) (5), the unsymmetrical ligand L2 chelated the metal center and bridged through a pyrazine donor to an adjacent metal forming a polymer chain. The ligand arrangement resulted in the anions in both structures being involved in only anion-pi-anion sandwich interactions. In 4 center dot H2O, the noncoordinated ClO4- anions interacted with only one chain while in 5 the coordinated NO3- anions acted as anion-pi supramolecular synthons between chains. Comparison between the polymers formed with ligands L1 and L2 showed that only the more pi-acidic ring was involved in the anion-pi interactions.