Cyclotetrabenzoin: Facile Synthesis of a Shape‐Persistent Molecular Square and Its Assembly into Hydrogen‐Bonded Nanotubes

Abstract

Abstract Cyanide‐catalyzed benzoin condensation of terephthaldehyde produces a cyclic tetramer, which we propose to name cyclotetrabenzoin. Cyclotetrabenzoin is a square‐shaped macrocycle ornamented with four α‐hydroxyketone functionalities pointing away from the central cavity, the dimensions of which are 6.9×6.9 Å. In the solid state, these functional groups extensively hydrogen bond, resulting in a microporous three‐dimensional organic framework with one‐dimensional nanotube channels. This material exhibits permanent—albeit low‐porosity, with a Langmuir surface area of 52 m 2 g −1 . Cyclotetrabenzoin’s easy and inexpensive synthesis and purification may inspire the creation of other shape‐persistent macrocycles and porous molecular crystals by benzoin condensation.