Thermal-induced transformation of glutamic acid to pyroglutamic acid and self-cocrystallization: a charge–density analysis

Thermal-induced transformation of glutamic acid to pyroglutamic acid is well known. However, confusion remains over the exact temperature at which this happens. Moreover, no diffraction data are available to support the transition. In this article, we make a systematic investigation involving thermal analysis, hot-stage microscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction to study a one-pot thermal transition of glutamic acid to pyroglutamic acid and subsequent self-cocrystallization between the product (hydrated pyroglutamic acid) and the unreacted precursor (glutamic acid). The melt upon cooling gave a robust cocrystal, namely, glutamic acid–pyroglutamic acid–water (1/1/1), C5H7NO3·C5H9NO4·H2O, whose structure has been elucidated from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected at room temperature. A three-dimensional network of strong hydrogen bonds has been found. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out to make a quantitative estimation of the intermolecular interactions. In order to gain insight into the strength and stability of the cocrystal, the transferability principle was utilized to make a topological analysis and to study the electron-density-derived properties. The transferred model has been found to be superior to the classical independent atom model (IAM). The experimental results have been compared with results from a multipolar refinement carried out using theoretical structure factors generated from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Very strong classical hydrogen bonds drive the cocrystallization and lend stability to the resulting cocrystal. Important conclusions have been drawn about this transition.

Crystallographic characterization of three cathinone hydrochlorides new on the NPS market: 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one (4-MPHP), 4-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one (α-PiHP) and 2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)pentan-1-one (4-MPD)

Cathinones belong to a group of compounds of great interest in the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market. Constant changes to the chemical structure made by the producers of these compounds require a quick reaction from analytical laboratories in ascertaining their characteristics. In this article, three cathinone derivatives were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The investigated compounds were confirmed as: 1-[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxohexan-2-yl]pyrrolidin-1-ium chloride (1, C17H26NO+·Cl−, the hydrochloride of 4-MPHP), 1-(4-methyl-1-oxo-1-phenylpentan-2-yl)pyrrolidin-1-ium chloride (2; C16H24NO+·Cl−, the hydrochloride of α-PiHP) and methyl[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxopentan-2-yl]azanium chloride (3; C13H20NO+·Cl−, the hydrochloride of 4-MPD). All the salts crystallize in a monoclinic space group: 1 and 2 in P21/c, and 3 in P21/n. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first detailed and comprehensive crystallographic data on salts 1–3.

Crystal structures of 3/4-pyridyl-based thiosemicarbazones and related Cu and Ni coordination compounds

In this investigation, the crystal structures of the thio-ligands 3-formylpyridine 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone (C13H12N4S, 1) and 4-benzoylpyridine 4-ethylthiosemicarbazone (C15H16N4S, 2), and of two new coordination compounds, chlorido(3-formylpyridine 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone-κS)bis(triphenylphosphane-κP)copper(I) acetonitrile monosolvate, [CuCl(C13H12N4S)(C18H15P)2]·CH3CN, 3, and bis(3-formylpyridine 4-ethylthiosemicarbazonato-κ2 N 1,S)nickel(II), [Ni(C9H11N4S)2], 4, are reported. In complex 3, the thio-ligand coordinates in a neutral form to the Cu atom through its S-donor atom, and in complex 4, the anionic thio-ligand chelates to the Ni atom through N- and S-donor atoms. The geometry of complex 3 is distorted tetrahedral [bond angles 99.70 (5)–123.23 (5)°], with the P—Cu—P bond angle being the largest, while that of complex 4 is square planar, with trans-S—Ni—S and N—Ni—N bond angles of 180°.

Psilocybin: crystal structure solutions enable phase analysis of prior art and recently patented examples

Psilocybin {systematic name: 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-1H-indol-4-yl dihydrogen phosphate} is a zwitterionic tryptamine natural product found in numerous species of fungi known for their psychoactive properties. Following its structural elucidation and chemical synthesis in 1959, purified synthetic psilocybin has been evaluated in clinical trials and has shown promise in the treatment of various mental health disorders. In a recent process-scale crystallization investigation, three crystalline forms of psilocybin were repeatedly observed: Hydrate A, Polymorph A, and Polymorph B. The crystal structure for Hydrate A was solved previously by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This article presents new crystal structure solutions for the two anhydrates, Polymorphs A and B, based on Rietveld refinement using laboratory and synchrotron X-ray diffraction data, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Utilizing the three solved structures, an investigation was conducted via Rietveld method (RM) based quantitative phase analysis (QPA) to estimate the contribution of the three different forms in powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns provided by different sources of bulk psilocybin produced between 1963 and 2021. Over the last 57 years, each of these samples quantitatively reflect one or more of the hydrate and anhydrate polymorphs. In addition to quantitatively evaluating the composition of each sample, this article evaluates correlations between the crystal forms present, corresponding process methods, sample age, and storage conditions. Furthermore, revision is recommended on characterizations in recently granted patents that include descriptions of crystalline psilocybin inappropriately reported as a single-phase `isostructural variant.' Rietveld refinement demonstrated that the claimed material was composed of approximately 81% Polymorph A and 19% Polymorph B, both of which have been identified in historical samples. In this article, we show conclusively that all published data can be explained in terms of three well-defined forms of psilocybin and that no additional forms are needed to explain the diffraction patterns.

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of two CoII/NiII isostructural coordination polymers based on an asymmetric semirigid tricarboxylate ligand

Two new isostructural complexes, namely, poly[aqua[μ3-2-(4-carboxyphenoxy)terephthalato-κ3 O 1:O 4:O 4′](1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)cobalt(II)], [Co(C15H8O7)(C12H8N2)(H2O)] n or [Co(μ3-Hcpota)(phen)(H2O)] n , I, and poly[aqua[μ3-2-(4-carboxyphenoxy)terephthalato-κ3 O 1:O 4:O 4′](1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)nickel(II)], [Ni(C15H8O7)(C12H8N2)(H2O)] n or [Ni(μ3-Hcpota)(phen)(H2O)] n , II, have been synthesized by solvothermal reactions. Complexes I and II were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analyses, and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They both present two-dimensional structures based on [M 2(μ-COO)2]2+ (M = CoII or NiII) dinuclear metal units with a fes topology and a vertex symbol (4·82). Interestingly, the positions of the two dimeric metal motifs and the two partially deprotonated Hcpota2− ligands reproduce regular flying butterfly arrangements flipped upside down and sharing wings in the ab plane. Magnetic studies indicate antiferromagnetic interactions (J = −5.21 cm−1 for I and −11.53 cm−1 for II) in the dimeric units, with Co...Co and Ni...Ni distances of 4.397 (1) and 4.358 (1) Å, respectively, that are related to double syn–anti carboxylate bridges.

A novel hydrogen-bonding N-oxide–sulfonamide–nitro N—H...O synthon determining the architecture of benzenesulfonamide cocrystals

The structures of novel cocrystals of 4-nitropyridine N-oxide with benzenesulfonamide derivatives, namely, 4-nitrobenzenesulfonamide–4-nitropyridine N-oxide (1/1), C5H4N2O3·C6H6N2O4S, and 4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide–4-nitropyridine N-oxide (1/1), C6H6ClNO2S·C5H4N2O3, are stabilized by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, with the sulfonamide group acting as a proton donor. The O atoms of the N-oxide and nitro groups are acceptors in these interactions. The latter is a double acceptor of bifurcated hydrogen bonds. Previous studies on similar crystal structures indicated competition between these functional groups in the formation of hydrogen bonds, with the priority being for the N-oxide group. In contrast, the present X-ray studies indicate the existence of a hydrogen-bonding synthon including N—H...O(N-oxide) and N—H...O(nitro) bridges. We present here a more detailed analysis of the N-oxide–sulfonamide–nitro N—H...O ternary complex with quantum theory computations and the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) approach. Both interactions are present in the crystals, but the O atom of the N-oxide group is found to be a more effective proton acceptor in hydrogen bonds, with an interaction energy about twice that of the nitro-group O atoms.

Influence of protonation on the geometry of 2-{[(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)ethyl]amino}-1-phenylethan-1-ol: crystal structures of the free base and of its chloride and 3-hydroxybenzoate salt forms

The aroxyalkylaminoalcohol derivatives are a group of compounds known for their pharmacological action. The crystal structures of four new xylenoxyaminoalcohol derivatives having anticonvulsant activity are reported, namely, 2-{[2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)ethyl]amino}-1-phenylethan-1-ol, C18H23NO2, 1, the salt N-[2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)ethyl]-1-hydroxy-1-phenylethan-2-aminium 3-hydroxybenzoate, C18H24NO2 +·C7H5O3 −, 2, and two polymorphs of the salt (R)-N-[2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)ethyl]-1-hydroxy-1-phenylethan-2-aminium chloride, C18H24NO2 +·Cl−, 3 and 3p. Both polymorphs crystallize in the space group P21212 and each has two cations and two anions in the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). The molecules in the polymorphs show differences in their molecular conformations and intermolecular interactions. The crystal packing of neutral 1 is dominated by intermolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of one-dimensional chains. In the crystal structures of the salt forms (2, 3 and 3p), each protonated N atom is engaged in a charge-assisted hydrogen bond with the corresponding anion. The protonation of the N atom also influences the conformation of the molecular linker between the two aromatic rings and changes the orientation of the rings. The crystal packing of the salt forms is dominated by intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the creation of chains and rings. Structural studies have been enriched by the calculation of Hirshfeld surfaces and the corresponding fingerprint plots.

FeIII in a high-spin state in bis(5-bromosalicylaldehyde 4-ethylthiosemicarbazonato-κ3 O,N 1,S)ferrate(III) nitrate monohydrate, the first example of such a cationic FeIII complex unit

The synthesis and crystal structure (100 K) of the title compound, [Fe(C10H11BrN3OS)2]NO3·H2O, is reported. The asymmetric unit consists of an octahedral [FeIII(HL)2]+ cation, where HL − is H-5-Br-thsa-Et or 5-bromosalicylaldehyde 4-ethylthiosemicarbazonate(1−) {systematic name: 4-bromo-2-[(4-ethylthiosemicarbazidoidene)methyl]phenolate}, a nitrate anion and a noncoordinated water molecule. Each HL − ligand binds via the thione S, the imine N and the phenolate O atom, resulting in an FeIIIS2N2O2 chromophore. The ligands are orientated in two perpendicular planes, with the O and S atoms in cis and the N atoms in trans positions. This [Fe(HL)2](anion)·H2O compound contains the first known cationic FeIII entity containing two salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone derivatives. The FeIII ion is in the high-spin state at 100 K. In addition, a comparative IR spectroscopic study of the free ligand and the ferric complex is presented, demonstrating that such an analysis provides a quick identification of the degree of deprotonation and the coordination mode of the ligand in this class of metal compounds. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (5–320 K) are consistent with the presence of a high-spin FeIII ion with a zero-field splitting D = 0.439 (1) cm−1.

Deep hydration of an Li7–3x La3Zr2 M III x O12 solid-state electrolyte material: a case study on Al- and Ga-stabilized LLZO

Single crystals of an Li-stuffed, Al- and Ga-stabilized garnet-type solid-state electrolyte material, Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), have been analysed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the pristine structural state immediately after synthesis via ceramic sintering techniques. Hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C for 28 d induces a phase transition in the Al-stabilized compound from the commonly observed cubic Ia\overline{3}d structure to the acentric I\overline{4}3d subtype. LiI ions at the interstitial octahedrally (4 + 2-fold) coordinated 48e site are most easily extracted and AlIII ions order onto the tetrahedral 12a site. Deep hydration induces a distinct depletion of LiI at this site, while the second tetrahedral site, 12b, suffers only minor LiI loss. Charge balance is maintained by the incorporation of HI, which is bonded to an O atom. Hydration of Ga-stabilized LLZO induces similar effects, with complete depletion of LiI at the 48e site. The LiI/HI exchange not only leads to a distinct increase in the unit-cell size, but also alters some bonding topology, which is discussed here.

Structure determination of riboflavin by synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction

The crystal structure of the stable form of vitamin B2 or riboflavin (C17H20N4O6) was solved using high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The high-resolution PXRD pattern of riboflavin was recorded at room temperature at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France). The starting structural model was generated using a Monte Carlo simulated annealing method. The final structure was obtained through Rietveld refinement. The positions of the H atoms belonging to hydroxy groups were estimated from computational energy minimizations. The symmetry is orthorhombic with the space group P212121 and the following lattice parameters: a = 20.01308, b = 15.07337 and c = 5.31565 Å.