Three-dimensional four-connecting organic scaffolds with a twist: synthesis and self-assembly.

We have synthesized a novel class of four-connecting three-dimensional molecular scaffolds 2-5 based on biaryls for supramolecular self-assembly. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of 2 with ethanol reveals a novel O-H...O hydrogen-bonded helical self-assembly in three dimensions leading to the generation of channels in the crystal lattice. The tetraacid 3 also forms analogous channels in which the solvent molecules, viz., DMSO and H2O, reside. The structures of 2 and 3 amply illustrate the potential of three-dimensional four-connecting biaryls in developing functional mimics of inorganic zeolites.