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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
Crystal supramolecular motifs: columns of embracing Ph3PMe+ or Ph3PCI+ cations controlling formation of
Abstract:
The crystal structures of (Ph3PCl)2[Cu3Cl8] (1) (triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.480(6) A, b = 10.243(8) A, c = 11.232(6) A, alpha = 86.76(4) degrees, beta = 66.62(5) degrees, gamma = 83.92(4) degrees, Z = 1) and (Ph3PMe)2[Cu3Br8] (2) (triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.795(4) A, b = 10.472(4) A, c = 11.392(4) A, alpha = 86.67(3) degrees, beta = 66.67(3)degrees, gamma = 83.14(3) degrees, Z = 1), reported here, demonstrate a new supramolecular motif for cations of the type Ph3PY+ where Y is CH3 or Cl. The crystals contain columns of cations propagated by alternating 6-fold phenyl embraces (6PE) and pseudo-6PE: the pseudo-6PE described here contains four phenyl rings and two hetero groups (Cl or CH3), and is symbolized as 4P2Y. The zigzag sequence of cations engaged in ...6P...4P2Y...6P...4P2Y... is similar to the zigzag chain of infinite 6-fold phenyl embraces (ZZI6PE) frequently adopted by Ph4P+ cations in crystals. One-dimensionally nonmolecular anion chains with repeat unit [Cu3X8] run parallel to and between the columns of cations. The coordination geometry in the [Cu3X8(2-)]1 to infinity chain has not been observed in crystals with other cations, and it is postulated that the attractive interactions between cations in the pseudo-ZZI6PE crystal supramolecular motif control the geometry of the anions through the requirement for commensurability of cation columns and anion chains.
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