Guest-Induced Structural Transformations in a Porous Halogen-Bonded Framework

Stimuli-Responsive, Dynamic Supramolecular Organic Frameworks

Supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) are a class of three-dimensional, potentially porous materials obtained by the self-assembly of organic building blocks held together by weak interactions such as hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, π⋅⋅⋅π stacking and dispersion forces. SOFs are being extensively studied for their potential applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, guest encapsulation and sensing. The supramolecular forces that guide their self-assembly endow them with an attractive combination of crystallinity and flexibility, providing intelligent dynamic materials that can respond to external stimuli in a reversible way. The present review article will focus on SOFs showing dynamic behaviour when exposed to different stimuli, highlighting fundamental aspects such as the combination of tectons and supramolecular interactions involved in the framework formation, structure-property relationship and their potential applications.

A Halogen-Bonded Organic Framework (XOF) Emissive Cocrystal for Acid Vapor and Explosive Sensing, and Iodine Capture

There is a strong and urgent need for efficient materials that can capture radioactive iodine atoms from nuclear waste. This work presents a novel strategy to develop porous materials for iodine capture by employing halogen bonding, mechanochemistry and crystal engineering. 3D halogen-bonded organic frameworks (XOFs) with guest-accessible permanent pores are exciting targets in crystal engineering for developing functional materials, and this work reports the first example of such a structure. The new-found XOF, namely TIEPE-DABCO, exhibits enhanced emission in the solid state and turn-off emission sensing of acid vapors and explosives like picric acid in nanomolar quantity. TIEPE-DABCO captures iodine from the gas phase (3.23 g g-1 at 75 °C and 1.40 g g-1 at rt), organic solvents (2.1 g g-1 ), and aqueous solutions (1.8 g g-1 in the pH range of 3-8); the latter with fast kinetics. The captured iodine can be retained for more than 7 days without any leaching, but readily released using methanol, when required. TIEPE-DABCO can be recycled for iodine capture several times without any loss of storage capacity. The results presented in this work demonstrate the potential of mechanochemical cocrystal engineering with halogen bonding as an approach to develop porous materials for iodine capture and sensing.

Charge-Assisted Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks with Inorganic Ammonium Regulated Switchable Open Polar Sites

Surface open polar sites within the voids of porous molecular crystals define the localized physicochemical environment for critical functions such as gas separation and molecular recognition. This study presents a new charge-assisted hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) motif, by exploiting inorganic ammonium (NH₄ ⁺ ) cations as H-bond donors, to regulate the assembly of C₂ -symmetric carboxylic tectons for building robust H-bonded frameworks with permanent ultra-micropores and open oxygen sites. Diverse building blocks are bridged by tetrahedral NH₄ ⁺ to expand distinctive H-bonded networks with varied pore architectures. Particularly, the open polar oxygen sites can be switched by altering NH₄ ⁺ sources to tune the deprotonation of carboxyl-containing tectons. The activated porous PTBA·NH₄ ·DMF preserves the pore architecture and open polar oxygen sites, exhibiting remarkably selective sorption of CO₂ (107.8 cm³ g^-1 ,195 K) over N₂ (11.2 cm³ g^-1 , 77 K) and H₂ (1.4 cm³ g^-1 , 77 K).

Vapor Sorption and Halogen-Bond-Induced Solid-Form Rearrangement of a Porous Pharmaceutical

A porous, nonsolvated polymorph of the voltage-gated sodium channel blocker mexiletine hydrochloride absorbs iodine vapor to give a pharmaceutical cocrystal incorporating an I₂Cl^- anion that forms a halogen-π interaction with the mexiletine cations. The most thermodynamically stable form of the compound does not absorb iodine. This example shows that vapor sorption is a potentially useful and underused tool for bringing about changes in pharmaceutical solid form as part of a solid form screening protocol.

Selective and Reversible Solvent Uptake in Tetra-4-(4-pyridyl)phenylmethane-based Supramolecular Organic Frameworks

The dynamic behavior of supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) based on the rigid tetra-4-(4-pyridyl)phenylmethane (TPPM) organic tecton has been elucidated through 3D electron diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The SOF undergoes a reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation when exposed to vapours of selected organic solvents, moving from a closed structure with isolated small voids to an expanded structure with solvated channels along the b axis. The observed selectivity is dictated by the fitting of the guest in the expanded SOF, following the degree of packing coefficient. The effect of solvent uptake on TPPM solid-state fluorescence was investigated, evidencing a significant variation in the emission profile only in the presence of chloroform.

Low-Coordinate Erbium(III) Single-Molecule Magnets with Photochromic Behavior

The structures and magnetic properties of photoresponsive magnets can be controlled or fine-tuned by visible light irradiation, which makes them appealing as candidates for ternary memory devices: photochromic and photomagnetic at the same time. One of the strategies for photoresponsive magnetic systems is the use of photochromic/photoswitchable molecules coordinated to paramagnetic metal centers to indirectly influence their magnetic properties. Herein, we present two erbium(III)-based coordination systems: a trinuclear molecule {[Er^III(BHT)₃]₃(dtepy)₂}^.4C₅H₁₂ (1) and a 1D coordination chain {[Er^III(BHT)₃(azopy)}_n·2C₅H₁₂ (2), where the bridging photochromic ligands belong to the class of diarylethenes: 1,2-bis((2-methyl-5-pyridyl)thie-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene (dtepy) and 4,4′-azopyridine (azopy), respectively (BHT = 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate). Both compounds show slow dynamics of magnetization, typical for single-molecule magnets (SMMs) as revealed by alternating current (AC) magnetic susceptibility measurements. The trinuclear compound 1 also shows an immediate color change from yellow to dark blue in response to near-UV irradiation. Such behavior is typical for the photoisomerization of the open form of the ligand into its closed form. The color change can be reversed by exposing the closed form to visible light. The chain-like compound 2, on the other hand, does not show significant signs of the expected trans–cis photoisomerization of the azopyridine in response to UV irradiation and does not appear to show photoswitching behavior.

Three-coordinate [Er^III(BHT)₃] single ion magnets undergo ligand addition reaction in pentane to form linear trinuclear photochromic nanomagnets where both functionalities persist.

Supramolecular networks by imine halogen bonding

Halogen bonding of neutral donors using imine groups of porous organic cage compounds as acceptors leads to the formation of halogen-bonded frameworks. We report the use of two different imine cages, in combination with three electron-poor halogen bond donors. Four resulting solid-state structures elucidated by single-crystal X-ray analysis are presented and analysed for the first time by plane-wave DFT calculations and QTAIM-analyses of the entire unit cells, demonstrating the formation of halogen bonds within the networks. The supramolecular frameworks can be obtained either from solution or mechanochemically by liquid-assisted grinding.

Towards hydrogen and halogen bonded frameworks based on 3,5-bis(triazolyl)pyridinium motifs

Construction of supramolecular assemblies using hydrogen and halogen bonding between anions and the 3,5-bis(triazolyl)pyridinium motif was investigated.

Halogen bonding regulated functional nanomaterials

Non-covalent interactions have gained increasing attention for use as a driving force to fabricate various supramolecular architectures, exhibiting great potential in crystal and materials engineering and supramolecular chemistry. As one of the most powerful non-covalent bonds, the halogen bond has recently received increasing attention in functional nanomaterial design. The present review describes the latest studies based on halogen bonding induced self-assembly and its applications. Due to the high directionality and controllable interaction strength, halogen bonding can provide a facile platform for the design and synthesis of a myriad of nanomaterials. In addition, both the fundamental aspects and the real engineering applications are discussed, which encompass molecular recognition and sensing, organocatalysis, and controllable multifunctional materials and surfaces.

Photoswitchable Nitrogen Superbases: Using Light for Reversible Carbon Dioxide Capture

Using light as an external stimulus to alter the reactivity of Lewis bases is an intriguing tool for controlling chemical reactions. Reversible photoreactions associated with pronounced reactivity changes are particularly valuable in this regard. We herein report the first photoswitchable nitrogen superbases based on guanidines equipped with a photochromic dithienylethene unit. The resulting N-heterocyclic imines (NHIs) undergo reversible, near quantitative electrocyclic isomerization upon successive exposure to UV and visible irradiation, as demonstrated over multiple cycles. Switching between the ring-opened and ring-closed states is accompanied by substantial pK_a shifts of the NHIs by up to 8.7 units. Since only the ring-closed isomers are sufficiently basic to activate CO₂ via the formation of zwitterionic Lewis base adducts, cycling between the two isomeric states enables the light-controlled capture and release of CO₂ .

Azine Steric Hindrances Switch Halogen Bonding to N-Arylation upon Interplay with σ-Hole Donating Haloarenenitriles

An interplay between 4-bromo- and 4-iodo-5-nitrophthalonitriles (XNPN, X=Br or I) and any one of the azines (pyridine 1, 4-dimethylaminopyridine 2, isoquinoline 3, 4-cyanopyridine 4, 2-methylpyridine 5, 2-aminopyridine 6, quinoline 7, 1-methylisoquinoline 8, and 2,2'-bipyridine 9) proceeds differently depending on steric and electronic effects of the heterocycles. Sterically unhindered azines 1-3 underwent N-arylation to give the corresponding azinium salts (characterized by ¹ H and ¹³ C{H} NMR and high-resolution ESI-MS). In contrast, azines 4-9 with sterically hindered N atoms or bearing an electron-withdrawing substituent, form stable co-crystals with XNPN, where two interacting molecules are bound by halogen bonding. In all obtained co-crystals, X⋅⋅⋅N structure-directed halogen bonds were recognized and theoretically evaluated including DFT calculations (PBE0-D3/def2-TZVP level of theory), QTAIM analysis, molecular electrostatic potential surfaces, and noncovalent interaction plot index. Estimated energies of halogen bonding vary from -7.6 kcal/mol (for 6 ⋅ INPN) to -11.4 kcal/mol (5 ⋅ INPN).

Guest-occupiable space in the crystalline solid state: a simple rule-of-thumb for predicting occupancy

The generally greater degree of thermal motion of guest molecule(s) relative to the host often impedes their accurate modelling in crystal structures. We propose a 'rule-of-thumb' for estimating the maximum number of guest molecules that can be accommodated in a given amount of accessible space in an adequately modelled host structure. A survey of the Cambridge Structural Database was carried out to evaluate the fractional occupancy θ of the accessible space for almost 40 000 solvates involving 20 common solvents. Using widely accessible software tools, the volume of a guest is estimated as its van der Waals surface, while the guest-occupiable space of a potentially porous host is determined as that available to a virtual spherical probe. We propose terminology more appropriate to the supramolecular interpretation of surface typology: the probe-traversable and probe-accessible boundaries as traced out by the locus and surface of a spherical probe, respectively. High-throughput analysis using commercial and free software packages yielded a mean θ = 51.1(4)%, ranging from 45.3(6)% for hexane to 60(1)% for acetic acid.

Phototriggered Guest Release from a Nonporous Organic Crystal: Remarkable Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation of a Binary Cocrystal Solvate to a Ternary Cocrystal

The development of organic solids for applications in materials science requires a fundamental understanding of how close packing of molecules can affect structure and function. We report here nonporous organic crystals that release entrapped guest molecules upon application of UV light. We show components of binary cocrystal solvates to undergo an intermolecular photoreaction to generate ternary cocrystals that results in release of entrapped solvent molecules. The phototriggered guest release occurs in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation that is in the absence pores and channels in the solid. The cocrystals are composed of a tetratopic hydrogen-bond-acceptor molecule synthesized in the solid state. The UV-light results in [2 + 2] photodimerization of an isocoumarin to generate a ternary cocrystal with cyclobutane molecules that support guest release.

Hypervalent Iodine(III) Compounds as Biaxial Halogen Bond Donors

“Hypervalent” iodine(III) derivatives have been established as powerful reagents in organic transformations, but so far only a handful of studies have addressed their potential use as halogen-bonding noncovalent Lewis acids. In contrast to “classical” halogen-bond donors based on iodine(I) compounds, iodine(III) salts feature two directional electrophilic axes perpendicular to each other. Herein we present the first systematic investigation on biaxial binding to such Lewis acids in solution. To this end, hindered and unhindered iodolium species were titrated with various substrates, including diesters and diamides, via ¹H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. Clear evidence for biaxial binding was obtained in two model systems, and the association strengths increased by 2 orders of magnitude. These findings were corroborated by density functional theory calculations (which reproduced the trend well but underestimated the absolute binding constants) and a cocrystal featuring biaxial coordination of a diamide to the unhindered iodolium compound.

Large negative linear compressibility of a porous molecular co-crystal

Flexible and transformable molecules, particularly those responding to external stimuli, are needed for designing sensors and porous compounds capable of storing or separating gases and liquids. Under normal conditions the photochromic compound, 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5-(pyridyl)-3thienyl]cyclopentene (BTCP) forms a porous co-crystal with 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (dItFB). It traps acetone (Ac) molecules in the pores. Owing to a unique system of pores in the polar framework, the crystal is sensitive to the humidity in the air and to the chosen liquid environment. When compressed in non-penetrating media, the crystal displays a strong negative linear compressibility (NLC) along [100].

Two Orthogonal Halogen-Bonding Interactions Directed 2D Crystalline Supramolecular J-Dimer Lamellae

Dye assemblies exhibit fascinating properties and performances, both of which depend critically on the mutual packing arrangement of dyes and on the supramolecular architecture. Herein, we engineered, for the first time, an intriguing chlorosome-mimetic 2D crystalline J-dimer lamellar structure based on halogenated dyes in aqueous media by employing two distinct orthogonal halogen-bonding (XB) interactions. As the only building motif, antiparallel J-dimer was formed and stabilized by single π-stacking and dual halogen⋅⋅⋅π interactions. With two substituted halogen atoms acting as XB donors and the other two acting as acceptors, the constituent J-dimer units were linked by quadruple highly-directional halogen⋅⋅⋅halogen interactions in a staggered manner, resulting in unique 2D lamellar dye assemblies. This work champions and advances halogen-bonding as a remarkably potent tool for engineering dye aggregates with a controlled molecular packing arrangement and supramolecular architecture.

From Frustrated Packing to Tecton-Driven Porous Molecular Solids

Structurally divergent molecules containing bulky substituents tend to produce porous materials via frustrated packing. Two rigid tetrahedral cores, tetraphenylmethane and 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyladamantane, grafted peripherally with four (trimethylsilyl)ethynyl moieties, were found to have only isolated voids in their crystal structures. Hence, they were modified into tecton-like entities, tetrakis(4-(iodoethynyl)phenyl)methane [I4TEPM] and 1,3,5,7-tetrakis(4-(iodoethynyl)phenyl)adamantane [I4TEPA], in order to deliberately use the motif-forming characteristics of iodoethynyl units to enhance crystal porosity. I4TEPM not only holds increased free volume compared to its precursor, but also forms one-dimensional channels. Furthermore, it readily co-crystallizes with Lewis basic solvents to afford two-component porous crystals.

Switching porosity of stable triptycene-based cage via solution-state assembly processes

It is a great challenge to tune the porosity of porous materials. As most porous organic cages are soluble, solution processability can be a possible way to regulate the porosity of such materials. Herein, a triptycene-based cage (TC) is demonstrated to be stable in acid, base or boiling water. Meanwhile, its porosity can be tuned by adjusting the solution-state assembly processes. TC molecules crystallized slowly from solution exhibit nearly no porosity to nitrogen (off-state). While, after rapid precipitating from methanol/dichloromethane solution, the obtained TC (TC-rp) is in a porous state and exhibit a high BET surface area of 653 m² g⁻¹ (on-state).

Here, a kind of triptycene-based cage is demonstrated to have good chemical stability in acid, base and boiling water. Moreover, its porosity can be tuned by varying the solution-state assembly processes.

Two-dimensional halogen-bonded organic frameworks based on the tetrabromobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid building molecule

2D halogen-bonded organic frameworks were readily engineered by strong and directional effects of the primary Br⋯O and the secondary Br⋯π halogen bonding interactions from the tetrabromobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid building molecule involving 100% supramolecular yields.

Anion templated crystal engineering of halogen bonding tripodal tris(halopyridinium) compounds

Crystal engineering of halogen bonding tripodal receptors is found to be highly dependent on solvent and choice of anion.

Selective signalling of alcohols by a molecular lattice and mechanism of single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations

A molecular material undergoes spin-switching as it exchanges MeOH, EtOH or ⁿPrOH with acetone from the lattice. The subsequent thermal single-crystal-to-single-crystal desorption of ⁿPrOH is followed by single crystal X-ray diffraction snapshots.

Fluorinated azobenzenes as supramolecular halogen-bonding building blocks

ortho-Fluoroazobenzenes are a remarkable example of bistable photoswitches, addressable by visible light. Symmetrical, highly fluorinated azobenzenes bearing an iodine substituent in para-position were shown to be suitable supramolecular building blocks both in solution and in the solid state in combination with neutral halogen bonding acceptors, such as lutidines. Therefore, we investigate the photochemistry of a series of azobenzene photoswitches. Upon introduction of iodoethynyl groups, the halogen bonding donor properties are significantly strengthened in solution. However, the bathochromic shift of the π→π* band leads to a partial overlap with the n→π* band, making it slightly more difficult to address. The introduction of iodine substituents is furthermore accompanied with a diminishing thermal half-life. A series of three azobenzenes with different halogen bonding donor properties are discussed in relation to their changing photophysical properties, rationalized by DFT calculations.

Unraveling the Sorption Mechanism of CO2 in a Molecular Crystal without Intrinsic Porosity

The facile uptake of CO₂ gas in a nonporous molecular crystal constituted by long molecules with carbazole and ethynylphenyl moieties was reported in experiments recently. Herein, the mechanism of gas uptake by this crystal is elucidated using atomistic molecular simulations. The uptake of CO₂ is shown to be facilitated by (i) the capacity of the crystal to expand in volume because of weak intermolecular interactions, (ii) the parallel orientation of the long molecules in the crystal, and (iii) the ability of the molecule to marginally bend, yet not lose crystallinity because of the anchoring of the terminal carbazole groups. The retention of crystallinity upon sorption and desorption cycles is also demonstrated. At high enough pressures, near-neighbor CO₂ molecules sorbed in the crystal are found to be oriented parallel to each other.

Understanding the effect of host flexibility on the adsorption of CH4, CO2 and SF6 in porous organic cages

Molecular simulations for gas adsorption in microporous materials with flexible host structures is challenging and, hence, relatively rare. To date, most gas adsorption simulations have been carried out using the grand-canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method, which fundamentally does not allow the structural flexibility of the host to be accounted for. As a result, GCMC simulations preclude investigation into the effect of host flexibility on gas adsorption. On the other hand, approaches such as molecular dynamics (MD) that simulate the dynamic evolution of a system almost always require a fixed number of particles in the simulation box. Here we use a hybrid GCMC/MD scheme to include host flexibility in gas adsorption simulations. We study the adsorption of three gases – CH4, CO2 and SF6 – in the crystal of a porous organic cage (POC) molecule, CC3-R, whose structural flexibility is known by experiment to play an important role in adsorption of large guest molecules [L. Chen, P. S. Reiss, S. Y. Chong, D. Holden, K. E. Jelfs, T. Hasell, M. A. Little, A. Kewley, M. E. Briggs, A. Stephenson, K. Mark Thomas, J. A. Armstrong, J. Bell, J. Busto, R. Noel, J. Liu, D. M. Strachan, P. K. Thallapally, A. I. Cooper, Separation of rare gases and chiral molecules by selective binding in porous organic cages. Nat. Mater. 2014, 13, 954, D. Holden, S. Y. Chong, L. Chen, K. E. Jelfs, T. Hasell, A. I. Cooper, Understanding static, dynamic and cooperative porosity in molecular materials. Chem. Sci. 2016, 7, 4875]. The results suggest that hybrid GCMC/MD simulations can reproduce experimental adsorption results, without the need to adjust the host–guest interactions in an ad hoc way. Negligible errors in adsorption capacity and isosteric heat are observed with the rigid-host assumption for small gas molecules such as CH4 and CO2 in CC3-R, but the adsorption capacity of the larger SF6 molecule in CC3-R is hugely underestimated if flexibility is ignored. By contrast, hybrid GCMC/MD adsorption simulations of SF6 in CC3-R can accurately reproduce experiment. This work also provides a molecular level understanding of the cooperative adsorption mechanism of SF6 in the CC3-R molecular crystal.

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange in columnar assembled brominated triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles

Crystals of brominated triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles are robust materials which can undergo single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange inside 1-dimensional columns.

[2+2] Halogen-bonded boxes employing azobenzenes

Herein, we report the synthesis and crystal structures of three [2+2] supramolecular boxes assembled by halogen bonding.

Fluorinated porous molecular crystals: vapor-triggered on–off switching of luminescence and porosity

Fluorinated porous molecular crystals (PMCs) were fabricated from platinum(ii) dihalide complexes with 9-pentafluorophenyl-9-arsafluorene. The diiodide complex formed a PMC exhibiting open–close switching of porosity as well as on–off switching of luminescence.