Crystalline Sponge Method: X?ray Structure Analysis of Small Molecules by Post?Orientation within Porous Crystals—Principle and Proof?of?Concept Studies

This Review discusses, along with the historical background, principles as well proof-of-concept studies of crystalline sponge (CS) method, a new single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) method for analysis structures small molecules without sample crystallization. The uses single-crystalline porous coordination networks (crystalline sponges) that can absorb guest within their pores. absorbed are ordered in pores through molecular recognition and become observable by conventional SCXRD analysis. complex {[(ZnI2)3(tpt)2]?x(solvent)}n (tpt=tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine) was first proposed has been most generally used. Crystalline sponges developed later also discussed here. principle CS be described “post-crystallization” guest, whose ordering is templated pre-latticed cavities. widely applied to synthetic chemistry natural product studies, which examples will shown