The synthesis and topochemical polymerization of o-carborane-based diacetylene macrocycles

A kind of o-carborane-based macrocycle was synthesized via oxidative coupling of acetylene-terminated o-carborane precursors. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis unambiguously revealed their unique porous supramolecular structures, which displayed micropore characteristics. Interestingly, the crystal structure of macrocyclic CBMC-2 formed through non-covalent interactions shows packing parameters corresponding to the ideal polymerization parameters. UV-vis, DSC and X-ray analyses indicated that the crystals of macrocycle CBMC-2 could undergo diacetylene topochemical polymerization inside the solid by heating. This was confirmed using Raman spectroscopy and solid-state C-13 NMR spectroscopy. This work provides a method for synthesizing carborane supramolecular polymers.

Automated summary

In this study, a macrocycle based on o-carborane was successfully synthesized. The crystal structure analysis revealed its unique porous supramolecular structure with micropore characteristics. The compound was found to undergo polymerization inside the solid when heated. This work provides a new method for synthesizing carborane supramolecular polymers.