This study employs a solvent-directed strategy to construct organic charge-transfer (CT) supramolecular polymers in the solid states. By utilizing clamparene (CLP) and 4-nitrobenzonitrile (NBN) as building blocks, we achieved topologically controlled self-assembly in different solvents. Specifically, in acetonitrile (CH3CN), strong π-π stacking mediated CT interactions facilitated the formation of a supramolecular polymer in the solid state, which exhibits a selective chromogenic response to pyridine (Py) vapor. This solvent-modulated assembly approach not only enables the construction of functional CT supramolecular polymers with controllable topology but also provides a new pathway for designing vapor-responsive materials.
Qu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.