Exploring the Co-Crystallization Landscape of One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers Using a Molecular Electrostatic Potential-Driven Approach

Abstract

The ability of coordination polymers (CPs) to form multicomponent heteromeric materials, where the key structural features of the parent CP are retained, has been explored via molecular electrostatic potential-driven co-crystallization technologies. Thirteen co-formers presenting hydrogen-bond donors activated through a variety of electron-withdrawing functionalities were employed, and the extent of activation was evaluated using molecular electrostatic potential values. Attempted co-crystallizations of the seven most promising co-formers with a family of nine CPs ([CdX′ 2 (X-pz) 2 ] n ; X′ = I, Br, and Cl; X = I, Br, and Cl) resulted in six successful outcomes; all four of the structurally characterized compounds displayed the intended hydrogen bond. The rationalization of the main structural features revealed that strict structural and electrostatic requirements were imposed on effective co-formers; only co-formers with highly activated hydrogen-bond donors, and with a 1,4-orientation of electronwithdrawing moieties bearing effective acceptor sites, were successfully implemented into the three-dimensional architectures composed of one-dimensional building units of CPs.