Rotisserie-like motion enables guest transport in a nonporous organic crystal involving a diboron host

Abstract

We describe a nonporous organic crystal that exhibits a single-crystal–to–single-crystal (SCSC) desolvation. The crystal is based on a boron host that contains an azopyridyl linker. The molecules in the single crystal exhibit novel rotisserie-like movement upon guest release (i.e. benzene) that involves (i) rotation and (ii) stretching of the azopyridyl axle, and (iii) tilting of a boronic ester wheel. A crystalline intermediate isolated supports the rotisserie-style movement of the host.