The supramolecular chemistry of benzene- and pyridinepolycarboxylic acids

• Main Author: Dale, Sophie H.
• Published: Loughborough University 2004
• Subjects: 547.03704426
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.416755

The term ‘supramolecular chemistry' was defined by Lehn as ‘chemistry beyond the molecule', the aggregation of molecular or ionic entities to yield extensive arrays. Supramolecular chemistry is essentially the designed chemistry of the intermolecular bond, encircling the traditionally distinct disciplines of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Metal-organic frameworks have been shown to facilitate selective gas sorption and selective binding of guest solvent molecules, with notable examples from the work of Yaghi et al. created from the coordination of benzenepolycarboxylates to metal centres. Authors including Herbstein have investigated the inclusion of solvent molecules in the solid-state structure of trimesic acid, preventing the interpenetration of this compound. Here, novel solvent inclusion compounds of hemimellitic acid, the 1,2,3-trisubstituted relative of trimesic acid, are presented in which the hydrogen bonded host network forms cavities in which solvent molecules reside.