Crystallization Force—A Density Functional Theory Concept for Revealing Intermolecular Interactions and Molecular Packing in Organic Crystals

Organic molecules are prone to polymorphic formation in the solid state due to the rich diversity of functional groups that results in comparable intermolecular interactions, which can be greatly affected by the selection of solvent and other crystallization conditions. Intermolecular interactions are typically weak forces, such as van der Waals and stronger short‐range ones including hydrogen bonding, that are believed to determine the packing of organic molecules during the crystal‐growth process. A different packing of the same molecules leads to the formation of a new crystal structure. To disclose the underlying causes that drive the molecule to have various packing motifs in the solid state, an electronic concept or function within the framework of conceptual density functional theory has been developed, namely, crystallization force. The concept aims to describe the local change in electronic structure as a result of the self‐assembly process of crystallization and may likely quantify the locality of intermolecular interactions that directs the molecular packing in a crystal. To assess the applicability of the concept, 5‐methyl‐2‐[(2‐nitrophenyl)amino]‐3‐thiophenecarbonitrile, so‐called ROY, which is known to have the largest number of solved polymorphs, has been examined. Electronic calculations were conducted on the seven available crystal structures as well as on the single molecule. The electronic structures were analyzed and crystallization force values were obtained. The results indicate that the crystallization forces are able to reveal intermolecular interactions in the crystals, in particular, the close contacts that are formed between molecules. Strong correlations exist between the total crystallization force and lattice energy of a crystal structure, further suggesting the underlying connection between the crystallization force and molecular packing.     

The effects of steric aliphatic–aliphatic interactions in the coordination polymer of bis(N,N-diethylglycinato)copper(II): Experimental evidence and theoretical modeling

New coordination polymer catena-poly[(N,N-diethylglycinato-κO,κN)copper(II)-μ-[N,N-diethylglycinato-κO¹,κN:O²]] has been obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The copper(II) was surrounded with two amino N and two carboxyl O atoms in trans position in the coordination plane. Discrete polymeric chains were produced by axial coordinative bonding between copper(II) and carbonyl oxygen atom from adjacent asymmetric unit. Molecular mechanics (MM) force field developed to study the properties of copper(II) amino acid complexes reproduced well intermolecular aliphatic–aliphatic interactions between ethyl chains and C–H?O hydrogen bonding. The relative unit cell volume reproduction was 0.3%. Theoretical conformational analysis showed that experimentally obtained conformer was not the most stable in vacuo. The calculations of the unit cell packings and intermolecular interactions for a series of conformers elucidated the reasons that governed the experimentally obtained conformer to appear in the real crystal structure. MM results suggest that intermolecular aliphatic–aliphatic interactions between ethyl groups affected a conformational change concurrent with the change in the copper(II) coordination sphere upon crystallization.     

Influence of Molecular Interaction on Crystallization Behavior of Glycine from Mother Liquor

The mother liquor for preparing industrial HCN was investigated, to analyze the side-products’ structure and influence of molecular interactions of side-products with glycine and solvent on the glycine’s crystallization process. The side-products(SPs) were super-branched oligmers with plenty of hydrophilic groups, which could affect the crystallization process by interactions such as hydrogen bond. Alcohol-water mixed solvent with different polyols could be used to weaken the SPs-glycine interaction and strengthen the SPs-water interaction, which help to improve the crystallization efficiency and purity. After optimization, SPs’ mass fraction in glycine could be reduced by 80% and the morphology of crystal particles could also be improved.     

Evaluation of solvents’ effect on solubility,intermolecular interaction energies and habit of ascorbic acid crystals

Solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in solvents is very important for drug development and manufacturing. Solubility data may provide further information such as thermochemical properties and intermolecular interactions that may lead to a better understanding of the formation of API crystals. In this study, solubility of ascorbic acid was determined by gravimetric method in four different commonly used polar protic solvents: water, methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol. The solubility of ascorbic acid crystal was also predicted using Conductor-like Screening Model – Realistic Solvent (COSMO-RS) approach. In this computational analysis, the generated ΔG values are based on the solubilities that were experimentally obtained to simulate the intermolecular forces. The intermolecular interaction data from COSMO-RS provide an insight into the relationship between the intermolecular interactions and its crystal habit across four different polar protic solvents. The habit of the crystals was then determined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques, while the polymorphic form of the crystals was identified by X-ray powder diffraction and single X-ray diffraction techniques. The solubility and characterization data showed that the solvents with high polarity increased the solubility of ascorbic acid. The data also showed that different solvent polarity influenced the crystal habit, but did not change the crystal structure to form a new polymorph.     

New Re(I) tricarbonyl-diimine complexes with N,N′-bis(substituted benzaldehyde)-1,2-diiminoethane Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical studies and crystal structures

The syntheses, structures and spectroscopic properties of tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes with N,N′-bis(2-bromo, 4-bromo, 4-chloro and 3-methoxybenzaldehyde)-1,2-diiminoethane Schiff base ligands have been investigated in this paper. Characterization of these complexes was carried out with FTIR, NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical behavior of the investigated complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structures of the 4-chloro, 4-bromo and 4-methoxy substituted complexes are stabilized by intermolecular C–H?Cl and C–H?O hydrogen bonds. The remarkable features of the 2-bromo, 4-bromo and 4-chloro substituted complexes are short intermolecular halogen–oxygen contacts. In the 4-bromo complex, short intermolecular Br?O and O?O contacts link neighboring molecules along the [1 0 0] direction, which are further stabilized by short intermolecular π?π interactions. In 2-bromo complex, intermolecular Br?O interactions link neighboring molecules into 1D extended chains along the [0 1 0] and [0 0 1] directions, forming a 2D network which is parallel to the bc-plane.     

From liquid to crystal via mechanochemical grinding: unique host–guest (HOF) cocrystal

Mechanochemical synthesis via grinding of trimesic acid (TA, C₉H₆O₆) and 4-chlorophenyl diphenyl phosphate (4CDP, C₁₈H₁₄ClO₄P) (liquid at room temperature) in a 1:1 ratio resulted in the formation of an inclusion type of cocrystal. The crystallization of this phase via slow evaporation at low temperature (276–277 K) from methanol resulted in a rare `stairstep morphology' during the process of crystal growth. This morphology was not observed after crystallization of the compound from other solvents like toluene, dichloromethane, acetone, hexane and isooctane, and hence this was characteristically observed in methanol only. The characterization from single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of a cocrystal with five molecules of TA and two molecules of 4CDP in the asymmetric unit. The trimesic acid molecules form hydrogen-bonded dimers resulting in hexagonal rings, and these rings are stacked through π–π intermolecular interactions to make a hexagonal honeycomb-like structure. The phosphate molecules, 4CDP, were found to be trapped as guests in these hexagonal channels. The similarity in the packing of trimesic acid is compared in the cocrystal and the free acid quantitatively viaXpac analysis, which establishes the relationship of a `2D supramolecular construct' between them. This signifies a unique type of arrangement in which the voids created by the trimesic acid moiety do not undergo distortion by the inclusion of the guest molecules. The quantitative analysis of the intermolecular interactions using Hirshfeld surfaces and fingerprint plots deciphers the role of both strong O—H…O hydrogen bonds and weak intermolecular interactions in the crystal packing.     

Combinatorial Crystal Synthesis: Structural Landscape of Phloroglucinol:1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene and Phloroglucinol:Phenazine

A large number of crystal forms, polymorphs and pseudopolymorphs, have been isolated in the phloroglucinol‐dipyridylethylene (PGL:DPE) and phloroglucinol‐phenazine (PGL:PHE) systems. An understanding of the intermolecular interactions and synthon preferences in these binary systems enables one to design a ternary molecular solid that consists of PGL, PHE, and DPE, and also others where DPE is replaced by other heterocycles. Clean isolation of these ternary cocrystals demonstrates synthon amplification during crystallization. These results point to the lesser likelihood of polymorphism in multicomponent crystals compared to single‐component crystals. The appearance of several crystal forms during crystallization of a multicomponent system can be viewed as combinatorial crystal synthesis with synthon selection from a solution library. The resulting polymorphs and pseudopolymorphs that are obtained constitute a crystal structure landscape.     

Intra- and intermolecular interactions in crystals ofN′-furfurylideneisonicotinic hydrazide and related compounds. IR spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies

The reaction of isonicotinic hydrazide with furfural yieldedN′-furfurylideneisonicotinic hydrazide. IR spectroscopic studies demonstrated that crystallization from different solvents afforded products with an intermolecular NH...O=C hydrogen bond. Conditions of crystallization were chosen under which single crystals with the NH...N_Py intermolecular hydrogen bond (1) were grown. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the molecular and crystal structure of1 is identical to that ofN′-thienylideneisonicotinic hydrazide (2). The crystal structure consists of layers. The molecules in the layers are linked in zigzag chains through NH...N_Py intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The molecules of the adjacent chains (in the layer) are linked through C=O...H?C intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the O atom of the carbonyl group and the α-H atom of the furan ring. (In the structure of2, the chains are linked through specific intermolecular interactions of different nature but with approximately identical energy.) The replacement of the thiophene fragment (2) by the furan ring (1) is accompanied by a change in the intramolecular electronic effects, which is reflected both in the geometric and spectral characteristics of the molecules in the crystal.     

混合溶剂对β-HMX结晶形貌影响的分子动力学模拟

In an attempt to explain the co-solvent effect on the shape of β-HMX crystals, molecular dynamics simulations were applied to systematically investigate the interactions of β-HMX crystal faces and the co-solvents (acetone/γ-butyrolactone, dimethylformamide/H₂O) by varying the volume ratio from 1:3 to 3:1. The growth habit of β-HMX in co-solvent was predicted using the modified attachment energy model. The results indicated that the (020) face of the β-HMX crystal has the weakest interaction with solvent molecule, and the binary solvent effects on different crystal faces varied such that the crystal morphology was affected significantly. The comparison of the β-HMX crystal aspect ratios grown from co-solvents with different volume ratios revealed that dimethylformamide/H₂O with volume ratio of 1:3 favors the spheroidization of β-HMX.     

Single crystal morphology and structural data of a series of polyesters derived from 1,8-octanediol

The morphology of solution grown single crystals of a series of polyesters derived from 1,8-octanediol and either an even or an odd dicarboxylic acid has been investigated. Different crystallization conditions (solvent and temperature) were tested for these polyesters whose dicarboxylate unit varied from pimelate to sebacate. Crystals showed a lozenge morphology with a degree of truncation which for a given solvent changed with the crystallization temperature. Curvature of growth faces, striations on the lamellar surface and a bilayered morphology were features that were observed in some cases. Polyethylene decoration highlighted a crystal sectorization and suggested a molecular folding parallel to the crystal growth faces.The studied polyesters always showed a single crystalline structure, according to electron and X-ray diffraction data. A practically all trans molecular conformation could always be deduced. Unit cell geometry changed from orthorhombic to monoclinic and the molecular content was variable in the studied series (two or four molecular segments).Lamellae gave rise to well-defined electron diffraction patterns that allowed the setting angle of molecular segments to be determined. A good agreement between simulated and experimental hk0 diffraction patterns was always found. Packing along the chain axis direction was completely defined for the sebacate derivative.     

Structural investigation and Hirshfeld surface analysis of two polymorphs of 2-(4-Methylbenzamido)-5-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles

In this report, the crystal structure of a new polymorphic form of 2-(4-Methylbenzamido)-5-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole have been investigated and compared with the previously reported form. Crystallization experiments from a non-polar solvent resulted in the formation of a newly obtained polymorph of this substituted 1,3,4 thiadiazole compound. Structural differences and similarities in both the polymorphic forms were explored in terms of supramolecular building blocks present in the crystal packing and their influences on the supramolecular construct are investigated in terms of the nature and energetics of the associated interactions. In addition, Hirshfeld surface analysis and calculations on the enrichment ratio were carried out for both the forms to isolate the various types of interatomic contacts and differentiate their contribution towards the molecular assembly, as obtained from 2D fingerprint plots. Also, the interaction energies were computed for the new polymorph and compared with the reported form. The studies render quantitative insights into the role of strong H-bonds and weak intermolecular interactions acting cooperatively in the crystal. In addition, the role of both electrostatic and dispersion energies contributes to the overall stability in the crystal packing.     

Non‐symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing the 4‐nitrobenzohydrazide group: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour are reported of a new series of dimers containing 4‐nitrobenzohydrazide and azobenzene groups as the mesogenic units. These non‐symmetric liquid crystal dimers are found to exhibit a monolayer smectic A phase (SmA₁). Lateral hydrogen bonding and strong dipole–dipole interactions are shown to be the major driving forces for the formation of the SmA₁ phase. The present study indicates that the intermolecular interactions and thus the mesophase morphology of the liquid crystal dimers can be controlled by the appropriate selection of the molecular fragments capable of forming H‐bonds.     

SOLUTION CRYSTALLIZATION OF METALLOCENE SHORT CHAIN BRANCHED POLYETHYLENE:MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANISM*

Solution crystallization of metallocene short chain branched polyethylene (SCBPE) was carried out and very nicesingle crystals were obtained. Compared with single crystals grown from linear polyethylene, SCBPE single crystals are dirtydue to intermolecular heterogeneity The crystal morphology changes with crystallization temperatures. Lozenge, truncatedlozenge, hexagonal, rounded and elongated crystal morphologies have been found at much lower crystallization temperaturethan in linear polyethylene. The electron diffraction shows there is a possibility that the single crystals may have hexagonalpacking in a crystallization temperature range. The lateral habits of single crystal are discussed based on roughening theories.     

Computational study of solvent effects on the molecular self-assembly of tetrolic acid in solution and implications for the polymorph formed from crystallization

The solution behavior of a model compound, tetrolic acid (TTA), is studied via molecular dynamics simulations in four organic solvents. The results suggest that strong interactions between TTA and solvent molecules (ethanol or dioxane) prevent the formation of carboxylic acid dimers in solution and thus promote the crystallization of TTA in a catemer-based form or a solvate form. Weak interactions, however, between TTA and solvent molecules (carbon tetrachloride or chloroform) facilitate the formation of carboxylic acid dimers in solution and thus promote the crystallization of a dimer-based crystal. Detailed solvent structure plays an important role in determining the relative stability of various growth synthons in solution and also the barriers along the pathway connecting them. This work illustrates the potential of molecular simulations to aid in the rational selection of solvents to obtain desired polymorphs during crystallization.     

Reactive blending of poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) and Vectra A

In situ composites based on poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) and a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer (Vectra A950) were prepared by melt blending under different processing conditions. Thermal behaviour, mechanical and physical properties and morphology of the blends were investigated. The DSC analysis indicates that, as expected, Vectra enhances the crystallization process of PEN. Moreover, mechanical and thermal tests evidence the significant role of 20 wt% Vectra on increasing the material performances; tensile properties, coupled with SEM, show that strength and modulus of PEN are significantly improved when Vectra domains are long and continuous fibrils. The overall results can be attributed to the compatibilisation of the system induced by the mixing conditions that affect the extent of transreactions occurring in the melt. To deepen this aspect, the soluble and insoluble fractions in a PEN solvent were isolated and thoroughly characterized: both the fractions contain PEN/Vectra copolymers. The results underline the potentiality of the PEN/Vectra system for different high-performance applications requiring superior strength and modulus, heat stability or barrier properties.     

Thermal decomposition kinetics of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposites

In this study, non-isothermal crystallization of neat high density polyethylene (HDPE) and HDPE/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) composite was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Non-isothermal kinetic parameters were determined by Jeziorny approach and Mo’s method. Polarized optical microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction were applied to observe the crystal morphology and investigate the crystal structure, respectively. It was found TiO₂ particles could act as nucleating agent during the crystallization process and accelerate the crystallization rate. The Avrami index indicated nucleating type and growth of spherulite of HDPE was relatively simple. The result of activation energy indicated it was more and more difficult for the polymer chains to crystallize into the crystal lattice as the crystallization progressed. HDPE/TiO₂ composites exhibited lower ΔE values, suggesting TiO₂ particle could make the crystallization of HDPE easier. HDPE/TiO₂ composites had much smaller spherulite size than that of neat HDPE. HDPE formed more perfect crystal when TiO₂ particles were added into its matrix without changing the original crystal structure of HDPE.     

Physico-chemical,acoustic and excess properties of glycylglycine–MnCl2 in aqueous ethanol mixtures at different temperatures

Volumetric, acoustic, refractometric, excess and deviation properties of glycylglycine–MnCl₂ in aqueous ethanol mixtures have been reported at T = (288.15 to 318.15) K. Redlich–Kister equation was used to fit the derivate properties. The experimental data of the constituent binaries were analyzed to discuss the nature and strengths of intermolecular interactions. The interdependence of L_f and u has been evolved from Eyring and Kincaid model. The variations in specific acoustic impedance revealed that hydrogen bonding was predominant in the studied binary mixtures. Solvation number indicated structure-breaking tendency of the solute and weakening of local solvent structure.     

Morphology and structure of poly(p-dioxanone)

The morphology of solution grown single crystals of poly(p-dioxanone) was investigated. Different crystallization conditions (solvent, precipitant agent and temperature) were tested. Dendritic growth, screw dislocations and striations were observed. Crystals usually exhibited a lozenge morphology, whose apex angle changed with the crystallization conditions. In all cases, however, a single crystal electron diffraction pattern was recorded. Spherulitic morphologies were obtained by evaporation of formic acid solutions. Lamellae gave rise to well resolved electron diffraction patterns that allowed determination of the main packing characteristics. Patterns of tilted specimens helped establish an orthorhombic unit cell, whose parameters indicate a deviation from the all trans molecular conformation. Quantum mechanical calculations were performed on small model compounds to study the conformational preferences. Simulated diffraction patterns were consistent with a unit cell containing four repeat units and a P2₁2₁2₁ space group. Molecular packing suggests the existence of different kinds of folds for an assumed adjacent reentry. Polyethylene decoration hardly highlighted a crystal sectorization. Also enzymatic degradation of lamellar crystals was evaluated by using a Pseudomonas cepacia lipase.     

The Effect of Deoxyfluorination on Intermolecular Interactions in the Crystal Structures of 1,6-Anhydro-2,3-epimino-hexopyranoses

The effect of substitution on intermolecular interactions was investigated in a series of 1,6-anhydro-2,3-epimino-hexopyranoses. The study focused on the qualitative evaluation of intermolecular interactions using DFT calculations and the comparison of molecular arrangements in the crystal lattice. Altogether, ten crystal structures were compared, including two structures of C4-deoxygenated, four C4-deoxyfluorinated and four parent epimino pyranoses. It was found that the substitution of the original hydroxy group by hydrogen or fluorine leads to a weakening of the intermolecular interaction by approximately 4 kcal/mol. The strength of the intermolecular interactions was found to be in the following descending order: hydrogen bonding of hydroxy groups, hydrogen bonding of the amino group, interactions with fluorine and weak electrostatic interactions. The intermolecular interactions that involved fluorine atom were rather weak; however, they were often supported by other weak interactions. The fluorine atom was not able to substitute the role of the hydroxy group in molecular packing and the fluorine atoms interacted only weakly with the hydrogen atoms located at electropositive regions of the carbohydrate molecules. However, the fluorine interaction was not restricted to a single molecule but was spread over at least three other molecules. This feature is a base for similar molecule arrangements in the structures of related compounds, as we found for the C4-F_ax and C4-F_eq epimines presented here.     

聚L-乳酸/4,4'-二羟基二苯硫醚共混物的分子间相互作用及结晶和熔融行为

利用红外吸收光谱(FTIR)研究了聚乳酸(PLLA)/4,4'-二羟基二苯硫醚(TDP)熔融共混物的分子间相互作用,结果表明,PLLA的羰基与TDP的羟基之间形成了分子间氢键.通过差示扫描量热(DSC)研究了共混物的玻璃化转变行为及非等温结晶和熔融行为.结果表明,样品的玻璃化转变温度(Tg)随TDP含量的增加呈线性下降.共混物的熔融结晶温度(Tc)、结晶焓(ΔHc)、熔融温度(Tm)及熔融焓(ΔHm)均随TDP含量的增加呈下降趋势,而冷结晶温度的变化趋势则相反.当TDP达到40%(质量分数)时,共混物的DSC曲线既未出现结晶峰,也未出现熔融峰,表明该样品已完全成为非晶态物质.广角X射线衍射(WAXD)分析结果表明,TDP的加入未改变PLLA的晶型,但导致其晶面间距变大,晶体结构变得松散.因此共混物熔点的下降归因于分子间氢键的形成降低了PLLA分子链的运动能力及晶体的紧密程度而非晶型的改变.