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Abstract: In a recent paper (Couzi et al. 2018 R. Soc. open sci.5, 180058. (doi:10.1098/rsos.180058)), we proposed a new phenomenological model to account for the I↔II↔“III” phase sequence in incommensurate n-alkane/urea inclusion compounds, which represents an alternative interpretation to that proposed in work of Toudic et al. In a Comment (Toudic et al. 2019 R. Soc. open sci.6, 182073. (doi:10.1098/rsos.182073)), Toudic et al. have questioned our assignment of the superspace group of phase II of n-nonadecane/urea, which they have previously assigned, based on a (3 + 2)-dimensional superspace, as C2221(00γ)(10δ). In this Reply, we present new results from a comprehensive synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of n-nonadecane/urea, involving measurements as a detailed function of temperature across the I↔II↔“III” phase transition sequence. Our results demonstrate conclusively that “main reflections” (h, k, l, 0) with h+k odd are observed in phase II of n-nonadecane/urea (including temperatures in phase II that are just below the transition from phase I to phase II), in full support of our assignment of the (3+1)-dimensional superspace group P212121(00γ) to phase II. As our phenomenological model is based on phase II and phase “III” of this incommensurate material having the same (3+1)-dimensional superspace group P212121(00γ), it follows that the new X-ray diffraction results are in full support of our phenomenological model.

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Abstract: We report a new water-stable multivariate (MTV) Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) prepared by combining two different oxamide-based metalloligands derived from the natural amino acids L-serine and L-methionine. This unique material features hexagonal channels decorated with two types of flexible and functional “arms” (–CH2OH and –CH2CH2SCH3) capa-ble to act, synergistically, for the simultaneous and efficient removal of both inorganic (heavy metals like Hg2+, Pb2+ and Tl+) and organic (dyes such as Pyronin Y, Auramine O, Brilliant Green and Methylene Blue) contaminants and, in addi-tion, this MTV-MOF is completely reusable. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) measurements allowed to solve the crystal structure of a host-guest adsorbate, containing both HgCl2 and Methylene Blue, and offered unprecedented snap-shots about this unique dual capture process. This is the very first time that a MOF can be used for the removal of all sorts of pollutants from water resources, thus opening new perspectives for this emerging type of MTV-MOFs.

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Abstract: We report on the stereoselective synthesis of trefoil knots of single topological handedness in up to 90 % yield (over two steps), through the formation of trimeric circular helicates from ligand strands containing either imine or, unexpectedly, amide chelating units and metal ion templates of the appropriate coordination character (zinc(II) for imines; cobalt(III) for amides). The coordination stereochemistry of the octahedral metal complexes is determined by asymmetric carbon centers in the strands, ulti-mately translating into trefoil knots that are a single enantiomer, both physically and in terms of their fundamental topology. Both the imine-zinc and amide-cobalt systems display self-sorting behavior, with racemic ligands forming knots that individually contain only building blocks of the same chirality. The knots and the corresponding trimeric circular helicate intermediates (Zn(II)3 com-plex for the imine ligands; Co(III)3 complex for the amide ligands) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The latter confirms the trefoil knots as 84-membered macrocycles with each of the metal ions sited at crossing points for three parts of the strand. The stereochemistry of the octahedral coordination centers impart alternating crossings of the same handedness. The expression of chirality of the knotted molecules was probed by circular dichroism: the topological handedness of the demetallated knots was found to have a greater effect on the CD response than the Euclidean chirality of individual chiral centers.

Open Access

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Abstract: Traditionally small-molecule crystallographers have not usually observed or recognized significant radiation damage to their samples during diffraction experiments. However, the increased flux densities provided by third-generation synchrotrons have resulted in increasing numbers of observations of this phenomenon. The diversity of types of small-molecule systems means it is not yet possible to propose a general mechanism for their radiation-induced sample decay, however characterization of the effects will permit attempts to understand and mitigate it. Here, systematic experiments are reported on the effects that sample temperature and beam attenuation have on radiation damage progression, allowing qualitative and quantitative assessment of their impact on crystals of a small-molecule test sample. To allow inter-comparison of different measurements, radiation-damage metrics (diffraction-intensity decline, resolution fall-off, scaling B-factor increase) are plotted against the absorbed dose. For ease-of-dose calculations, the software developed for protein crystallography, RADDOSE-3D, has been modified for use in small-molecule crystallography. It is intended that these initial experiments will assist in establishing protocols for small-molecule crystallographers to optimize the diffraction signal from their samples prior to the onset of the deleterious effects of radiation damage.

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Abstract: A series of symmetrically bis‐4‐methoxybenzyl (4MB) N‐substituted 1,4‐diketopyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole (DPP) derivatives have been synthesized. The 4MB unit makes the DPP core soluble, and shows subtle modification of up to 0.2 eV in ground and excited states of the core when compared with related alkyl derivatives. Absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well as electrochemical and computational methods have been employed to prove the importance of the peripheral aryl units on the donor/ acceptor properties of the molecules. The 4MB products are highly fluorescent (quantum yields approaching 100 % in solution), with a unique distribution of frontier states shown by spectroelectrochemistry. The solid‐state fluorescence correlates with the X‐ray crystal structures of the compounds, a Stokes shift of approximately 80 nm is seen for two of the compounds. The frontier energy levels show that this subtle substitutional change could be of future use in molecular energy level tailoring in these, and related, materials for organic (opto)electronics.