A Robust Layer-Motif Composed of Binaphthyl Dibenzoic Acid Derivatives in Inclusion Crystals

Abstract Although it is easy to make a low-dimensional supramolecular motif using directional hydrogen bonds, further high-dimensional structures remain difficult to assemble as designed. Herein, we demonstrate that a hydrogen-bonded zigzag 1D motif composed of a racemic binaphthyl derivative can form common 2D sheet structures in inclusion crystals through shape-fitted alignment combined with self-complementary CH···O interactions. Moreover, one of the inclusion crystals underwent a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation from a solvate into a solvent-free crystal via removal of the guest molecules and slippage of the 2D sheet structure, indicating the robustness of the 2D sheet motif. The shape-fitted alignment of the 1D zigzag motifs can be applied as a secondary supramolecular synthon to construct higher dimensional structures.