Hydrogen bonding networks controllable by the substitution position of tetrathiafulvalene on the pyridine ring

Tetrathiafulvalene(TTF), as a classical building unit, has attracted considerable attention, especially its functional derivatives. Hydrogen bonding(H-bonding) networks are a class of traditional and stable nanostructures, which play an important role in two-dimensional self-assembly and multi-component co-assembly. In this paper, we studied the regulation of H-bonding networks by functional groups in TTF derivatives. The results indicate that the position of pyridine on TTF not only affects their self-assembly structures in different solvents, but also controls the H-bonding networks through different mechanisms. Both para-TTF and meta-TTF molecules show different co-assembled structures with solvents depending on whether or not the presence of carboxylic acid group. On the pre-prepared H-bonding networks formed by famous 1,3,5-tris(10-carboxydecyloxy)-benzene(TCDB) molecule, both para-TTF and meta-TTF disturbed the original network structures with different degree of TCDB deformation. The formed new H-bonding networks with or without TTF derivatives participation are mainly attributed to the position of pyridine in TTF-based molecules. These results would be important for design of exceptional and functional nanostructures starting with the design of building block.