Supramolecular Non-Helical One-Dimensional Channels and Microtubes Assembled from Enantiomers of Difluorenol.

The design and assembly of photoelectro-active molecular channel structures is of great importance because of their advantages in charge mobility, photo-induced electron transfer, proton conduction, and exciton transport. Herein, we report the use of racemic 9,9'-diphenyl-[2,2'-bifluorene]-9,9'-diol (DPFOH) enantiomers to produce non-helical 1D channel structures. Although the individual molecule does not present any molecular symmetry, two pairs of racemic DPFOH enantiomers can form a C2 -symmetric closed loop via the stereoscopic herringbone assembly. Thanks to the special symmetry derived from the enantiomer pairs, the multiple supramolecular interactions, and the padding from solvent molecules, this conventionally unstable topological structure is achieved. The etching of solvent in 1D channels leads to the formation of microtubes, which exhibit a significant lithium-ion conductivity of 1.77×10-4  S cm, indicating the potential research value of this novel 1D channel structure.