Noncovalent synthesis of donor/acceptor stacks

Abstract

Supramolecular arrays composed of alternating tetracyanoethylene acceptors (A) and 1,4-dioxybenzene-based donors (D) self-assemble spontaneously in the solid state. Infinite one-dimensional [···A···D···A···D···] stacks are formed by co-crystallizing tetracyanoethylene and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene. When bis-p-phenylene-34-crown- 10, possessing two 1,4-dioxybenzene donors (D-D) bridged by polyether chains, is employed, infinite one-dimensional [···A···D-D···A···D- D···] arrays are formed with the cavities of macrocyclic polyethers of adjacent stacks perfectly in register to afford channels-occupied by MeCN molecules-along one crystallographic direction.