Tris(biimidazolato)chromium(III) as a building block for hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies

Abstract

The trischelate [Cr(H2biim)3](NO3)3 complex of 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim) was obtained by reacting CrCl3·3THF with [Ag(H2biim)](NO3) in methanol. In the solvent-free material, each ligand forms two N-H···O bonds to a nitrate ion and generates locally neutral [Cr(H2biim)3](NO3)3 units. A methanol solvate was also obtained in which intermolecular interactions involve optimal use of the hydrogen-bonding ability of the [Cr(H2biim)3]3+ cations, NO3– anions, and methanol molecules. In both cases, there is no long-range regular organization of the complex units. Deprotonation of [Cr(H2biim)3](NO3)3 with NaOCH3 yielded neutral Cr(Hbiim)3. Its powder pattern is similar to that of Ru(Hbiim)3, suggesting that it also consists of mutually perpendicular interlocked honeycomb sheets. Recrystallization by slow diffusion of diisopropyl ether into a methanol solution yielded a porous material of composition Cr(Hbiim)3·2.6C6H14O in which superposed honeycomb sheets create infinite channels (~13 Å diameter) filled with disordered solvent molecules. A totally different structure is adopted by the solvate Cr(Hbiim)3·C6H6·2H2O, where the benzene molecule is encapsulated in a cavity created by five complex molecules.Key words: chromium, biimidazole, supramolecular, crystal structure, hydrogen bonding.