CrystEngComm Blog

How does one control and modify the self-assembly process of organic molecules towards a desired solid state? Andreas Lemmerer, Joel Bernstein and Volker Kahlenberg ask themselves this very question in their recent CrystEngComm Hot Article. In their paper the group tell us how they modify the hydrogen bonding in isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) in order to control the self-assembly process.

Isoniazid is an active pharmaceutical ingredient that helped cure tuberculosis as part of a triple therapy cocktail. It co-crystallizes with carboxylic acids to form pharmaceutical co-crystals and is also a versatile supramolecular reagent as it has multiple donor and accepting groups to interact with different functional groups. Find out more about this study and Isoniazid in the article – FREE to read until 31 May 2011.

Covalent assistance in supramolecular synthesis: in situ modification and masking of the hydrogen bonding functionality of the supramolecular reagent isoniazid in co-crystals
Andreas Lemmerer, Joel Bernstein and Volker Kahlenberg
CrystEngComm, 2011, Advance Article   DOI: 10.1039/C1CE05152K, Paper

In their CrystEngComm Hot Article, Mike Hursthouse and colleagues from the University of Southampton, use a systematic approach to the study of crystal structure assembly in the aspirin family of molecules. Find out what they found by reading their paper:

Further crystal structures for the substituted aspirin family of molecules: the first aspirin carboxylate catemer and a detailed assessment of the subtle influences of weak intermolecular interactions
Michael B. Hursthouse, Riccardo Montis and Graham J. Tizzard
CrystEngComm, 2011,DOI: 10.1039/C0CE00838A, Paper

Photodimerization in the solid state is highly dependent on the relative position and orientation of the monomers. In this CrystEngComm Hot Article, the authors use CCDC records to investigate a number of anthracene derivatives to determine which will dimerise in the solid state when exposed to light. Find out how by reading the paper.

Photodimerization of anthracene derivatives in their neat solid state and in solid molecular compounds
I. Zouev, Den-Ke Cao, T. V. Sreevidya, M. Telzhensky, M. Botoshansky and M. Kaftory
CrystEngComm, 2011, Advance Article DOI: 10.1039/C0CE00739K, Paper

This article is part of a forthcoming themed issue entitled “Dynamic behaviour and reactivity in crystalline solids”. Look out for the issue when it is published in April. Find out more about CrystEngComm themed issues on our themed issue webpage.