synthon engineering

What is it about?

Structural properties can be fine tuned by introduction of substituents or guest molecules of different size, shape and chemical composition. These attempts require the recognition, understanding and application of intermolecular interactions and crystallographic symmetries. A series of laterally substituted calixarenes where both steric requirements and electrostatic forces play a role in the crystal architecture shows how the supramolecular synthon can be engineered.

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Why is it important?

Morphotropy is the link between isostructurality and polymorphy. Morphotropy can be induced by supramolecular effects. With this transformation of the crystal packing arrangements a genuine crystal engineering effort comes true. The lateral disubstitution of the calix[4]arenes with gradual change of the size and functionality of the substituents resulted in a very sensitively spatially and electrostatically fine-tuned system. It shows that the supramolecular synthon can be engineered.