Acetylation-Tagging-Assisted Cocrystallization of Stubborn Molecules with Trinuclear Complexes

Crystallographic analysis has become the most reliable method for elucidating the chemical structures and absolute configurations of natural products. In this study, we present an in situ acetylation-tagging approach to enable the cocrystallization of difficult-to-crystallize molecules bearing hydroxyl or amino groups with cyclic trinuclear complexes (Ag3Pz3). Single crystals are readily obtained upon slow evaporation after adding acetylating reagents and then Ag3Pz3 into an NMR tube. This acetylation tagging procedure introduces electron-rich acetyl groups with conformational flexibility that serve as beacons for electron-deficient Ag3Pz3, leading to effective π-acid···base supramolecular interactions. Using…

• SA
  Scientific and Technological Planning Project of Guangzhou City

  Award: 202102070001
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 82293681(82293680), 82321004, 82574271, 22431006, 22475083, 22271120, 82525062, 92461309
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Award: 21625333
• BA
  Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Awards: 2019B030302009, 2024A1515012434