On-surface solvent-free crystal-to-co-crystal conversion by non-covalent interactions

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Fabricating molecular assemblies via intermolecular interactions is crucial in chemistry.
• Controlling crystal growth and surface confinement of materials presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel solvent-free, on-surface crystal-to-co-crystal conversion process.
• To utilize halogen bonding (XB) as the driving force for co-crystal formation.
• To explore the application of this method for non-crystalline materials.

Main Methods:

• Exposing polycrystalline organic materials (XB-acceptor) to complementary XB-donor vapors.
• Utilizing a stepwise vapor-based approach for material transformation.
• Applying the method to both crystalline and non-crystalline starting materials.

Main Results:

• Successfully formed halogen-bonded co-crystals from polycrystalline precursors.
• Demonstrated the conversion of non-crystalline materials into surface-confined organic composites.
• Achieved a solvent-free, on-surface transformation process.

Conclusions:

• The developed vapor-based approach provides a new strategy for fabricating hybrid supramolecular materials.
• This method enables controlled co-crystal formation and surface confinement.
• Halogen bonding is an effective intermolecular force for on-surface material transformation.