Versatile Solid-State Inclusion Property of a New Bis-hydrazone Compound

Intrinsic cavities or the presence of multiple hydrogen-bonded functional groups in the host molecule might ensure inclusion of guests. On the other hand, there are few van der Waals molecules known for the inclusion of solvent due to their awkward shape in the absence of a hydrogen-bonded functional group or cavity. Here, we report the diverse solid-state inclusion behavior of a new bis-hydrazone compound, butane-2,3-dione 2,3-bis({bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylidene}hydrazone) (DMABH). DMABH forms a large number (twenty-eight) of inclusion compounds by the slow evaporation method of crystallization. Out of 28 inclusion compounds, the crystal structures of 25 compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Analysis of the crystal structures reveals channel and lattice inclusion by DMABH. Further, channel inclusion compounds can be classified into two categories depending on the occupancy of solvent molecules in 1D channels. Inclined interpenetration of 2D layers of DMABH has been observed in the lattice inclusion compounds. DMABH appears to be a versatile host for solid-state inclusion property.