We report on investigations of reactions of tBu(2)Zn with 8-hydroxyquinoline (q-H) and the influence of water on the composition and structure of the final product. A new synthetic approach to photoluminescent zinc complexes with quinolinate ligands was developed that allowed the isolation of a series of structurally diverse and novel alkylzinc 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes: the trinuclear alkylzinc aggregate [tBuZn(q)](3) (1(3)), the pentanuclear oxo cluster [(tBu)(3)Zn(5)(μ(4) -O)(q)(5)] (2), and the tetranuclear hydroxo cluster [Zn(q)(2)](2)[tBuZn(OH)](2) (3). All compounds were characterized in solution by (1)H NMR, IR, UV/Vis, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, TGA, and PL studies. Density functional theory calculations were also carried out for these new Zn(II) complexes to rationalize their luminescence behavior. A detailed analysis of the supramolecular structures of 2 and 3 shows that the unique shape of the corresponding single molecules leads to the formation of extended 3D networks with 1D open channels. Varying the stoichiometry, shape, and supramolecular structure of the resulting complexes leads to changes in their spectroscopic properties. The close-packed crystal structure of 1(3) shows a redshifted emission maximum in comparison to the porous crystal structure of 2 and the THF-solvated structure of 3.

Over the past two decades, crystalline microporous materials have attracted major interest, owing to their applications in gas sorption, separation, catalysis, and sensing. [1] Microporous crystalline materials can be constructed from coordinatively or covalently linked building blocks where rigid or semi-rigid molecular scaffolds separate void spaces of different size and geometry. Prominent examples of porous materials showing polymeric structures include zeolites, [2] hybrid metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs), [3] covalent organic frameworks (COFs), [4] and Hbonded supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs). [5] The formation of bonding interactions between building units is an important factor that defines and controls the stability and robustness of these porous polymeric materials. However, discrete molecules may also pack in the solid state to form 3D assemblies that exhibit high permanent porosity. [6] The resulting noncovalent porous materials (NPMs) are distinct from the above polymeric systems, as they are held together by weak noncovalent crystal-packing forces. Modifications of structure by cocrystallization of different building blocks [7] can tune the microcavities in the solid state, and the material can thus conform to the shape or functionality of guest molecules. Moreover, these materials can be highly solubile, an important advantage in their processing to form porous thin films. [7a, 8] NPMs can exhibit extrinsic and/or intrinsic porosity. Intrinsic porosity is associated with the structure of the single-molecule-containing voids, clefts, or cavities, as has been demonstrated for calixarenes, [9] cucurbiturils, [10] cyclodextrins, [11] organic cage compounds, [6, 7a,c] or discrete small organic molecules. [12] In contrast, materials with extrinsic porosity are those where individual molecules pack in the solid-state to form structures with empty spaces between the individual molecules. As discrete molecules tend to form close-packed solids with minimal void volume, extrinsic porosity in NPMs remains a rare phenomenon. [12a, 13] The rational design and preparation of NPMs showing extrinsic porosity based on molecular metal complexes is highly challenging and few examples have been reported. [14] We have demonstrated previously that alkylzinc hydroxides RZnOH can be efficiently transformed into multinuclear alkyzinc carbonate nanoclusters [15] or nanomaterials, such as discrete nanoparticulate zinc carbonate aerogels [15] and ZnO nanoparticles. [16] As shown in Scheme 1 a, the reactivity of the RZnOH species can be rationalized in terms of the presence of both a proton-reactive Zn À C bond and CO 2 -reactive Zn À OH groups. We argued that introduction of an additional auxiliary ligand L to the RZnOH system, followed by CO 2 fixation, could lead to the formation of novel molecular building blocks for new extrinsic NPMs. Herein, we report such a strategy in which the construction of a nanosized cluster [Zn 10 (m 6 -CO 3 ) 4 (L) 12 ] (WUT-1; WUT = War...

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We report on the activation of CO2 by the well-defined alkylzinc hydroxide (tBuZnOH)6 in the absence and presence of tBu2Zn as an external proton acceptor. The slight modifications in reaction systems involving organozinc precursors enable control of the reaction products with high selectivity leading to the isolation of the mesoporous solid based on ZnCO3 nanoparticles or an unprecedented discrete alkylzinc carbonate [(tBuZn)2(μ5-CO3)]6 cluster with the Zn-C bond intact, respectively.

Some animal organs contain mineralized tissues. These so-called hard tissues are mostly deposits of calcium salts, usually in the form of calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate. Examples of this include fish otoliths and mammalian otoconia, which are found in the inner ear, and they are an essential part of the sensory system that maintains body balance. The composition of ear stones is quite well known, but the role of individual components in the nucleation and growth of these biominerals is enigmatic. It is sure that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) play an important role in this aspect. They have an impact on the shape and size of otoliths. It seems probable that IDPs, with their inherent ability to phase separate, also play a role in nucleation processes. This review discusses the major theories on the mechanisms of biomineral nucleation with a focus on the importance of protein-driven liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). It also presents the current understanding of the role of IDPs in the formation of calcium carbonate biominerals and predicts their potential ability to drive LLPS.

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