Ricerc@Sapienza

A systematic analysis using single crystal X-ray diffraction was performed to explore the role exerted by potential intercomponent proton-transfer reactions in the supramolecular structures of A–B cocrystals formed by 5-haloderivatives of uracil (A), coupled with 2-aminoadenine simulants (aminoazines, B). Twelve new heterodimers were synthesized in different stoichiometries and cocrystallized by solvent cogrinding followed by solution crystallization.

The unambiguous quantification of the proton transfer in Protic Ionic Liquids (PILs) and its differentiation from the concept of ionicity are still unsolved questions. Albeit researchers awfully quickly treat them as synonyms, the two concepts are intrinsically different and imply a dramatic modification in the expected chemical and physical properties of a PIL. Some attempts have been made to shed light on this discrimination, but single-technique-based approaches fail in giving a clear answer.

We present a computational characterisation of Aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP) and its potential use as an anionic partner for conductive ionic liquids (ILs). We argue that for an IL to be a good candidate for a conducting medium, two conditions must be fulfilled: (i) the charge must be transported by light carriers; and (ii) the system must maintain a high degree of ionisation. The result trends presented herein show that there are molecular ion combinations that do comply with these two criteria, regardless of the specific system used.