Parallel-stacked aromatic molecules in hydrogen-bonded inorganic frameworks.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

• Precise molecular construction and supramolecular assembly yield novel properties and functionalities.
• Understanding reversible weak interactions like hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions is key for developing advanced materials.
• Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) offer a strategy for designing functional materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt the HOFs strategy for inorganic materials science.
• To utilize the cubic octamer of orthosilicic acid, [Si8O12][OH]8, as a building block for inorganic frameworks.
• To explore the creation of hydrogen-bonded inorganic frameworks (HIFs) and their properties.

Main Methods:

• Employed the hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) strategy with inorganic building blocks.
• Used the cubic octamer of orthosilicic acid, [Si8O12][OH]8, as a precursor.
• Investigated the assembly of organic molecules within the pores of the synthesized HIFs.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized various types of hydrogen-bonded inorganic frameworks (HIFs).
• Achieved infinite parallel π-stacking of pure benzene, thiophene, selenophene, p-benzoquinone, and their co-polymers within the HIFs.
• Demonstrated that these polymers interact via their π-systems within the flexible pores of the 3D nano-honeycomb HIFs.

Conclusions:

• The HOFs strategy can be successfully applied to inorganic materials science.
• The developed HIFs provide a platform for creating ordered π-stacked polymer structures.
• This approach opens new avenues for designing materials with tailored functionalities based on π-system interactions.