Macrocycle-based charge transfer co-crystals with specific selective vapochromism to benzene

Abstract

Novel macrocycle co-crystals (MCCs) consisting of electron-rich phenanthrene[2]arene (P2) and electro-deficient 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) have been prepared. The formed MCCs exhibited a specific selective vapochromic response to benzene among five aromatic hydrocarbon volatile organic compounds. Single-crystal structures and PXRD analyses confirmed that this specific selective vapochromic behavior was mainly attributed to the excellent benzene adsorption capacity of P2, leading to dissociation of P2@TCNB co-crystals and CT interactions which affect its optical features.