4,4'-Bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxymethyl)-2,2'-bipyridine.

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Crystallography

Background:

• Polyfluorinated bipyridyl (bpy) ligands are crucial in coordination chemistry.
• Understanding ligand structure-property relationships is key for designing new materials.
• Novel fluorinated ligands offer unique electronic and steric properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel polyfluorinated bipyridyl ligand containing the smallest fluorinated group (CF3).
• To investigate the crystal structure and intermolecular interactions of the title compound.
• To understand the conformational preferences and packing motifs of this new ligand.

Main Methods:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was employed to determine the molecular and crystal structure.
• Analysis of bond lengths, bond angles, and intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking).
• Conformational analysis of the bipyridyl skeleton and substituent orientation.

Main Results:

• The title compound, C(16)H(14)F(6)N(2)O(2), features a CF3 group and resides on a crystallographic inversion center.
• The bipyridyl skeleton adopts an anti conformation due to steric repulsion between nitrogen atoms.
• Significant pi-pi interactions between bpy rings drive crystallization, alongside weak C-H...N and C-H...F intermolecular interactions.

Conclusions:

• The smallest fluorinated polyfluorinated bipyridyl ligand was successfully synthesized and characterized.
• Crystal packing is dominated by pi-pi stacking, with additional stabilizing intermolecular forces.
• The observed conformational and interaction patterns provide insights for designing related metal complexes.