Pushing Technique Boundaries to Probe Conformational Polymorphism

We present an extensive exploration of the solid-form landscape of chlorpropamide (CPA) using a combined experimental-computational approach at the frontiers of both fields. We have obtained new conformational polymorphs of CPA, placing them into context with known forms using flexible-molecule crystal structure prediction. We highlight the formation of a new polymorph (ζ-CPA) via spray-drying experiments despite its notable metastability (14 kJ/mol) relative to the thermodynamic α-form, and we identify and resolve the ball-milled η-form isolated in 2019. Additionally, we employ impurity- and gel-assisted crystallization to control polymorphism and the formation of novel multicomponent forms. We, thus, demonstrate the power of this collaborative screening approach to observe, rationalize, and control the formation of new metastable forms.

Revealing the Elusive Structure and Reactivity of Iron Boride α-FeB

Crystal structures can strongly deviate from bulk states when confined into nanodomains. These deviations may deeply affect properties and reactivity and then call for a close examination. In this work, we address the case where extended crystal defects spread through a whole solid and then yield an aperiodic structure and specific reactivity. We focus on iron boride, α-FeB, whose structure has not been elucidated yet, thus hindering the understanding of its properties. We synthesize the two known phases, α-FeB and β-FeB, in molten salts at 600 and 1100 °C, respectively. The experimental X-ray diffraction (XRD) data cannot be satisfactorily accounted for by a periodic crystal structure. We then model the compound as a stochastic assembly of layers of two structure types. Refinement of the powder XRD pattern by considering the explicit scattering interference of the different layers allows quantitative evaluation of the size of these domains and of the stacking faults between them. We, therefore, demonstrate that α-FeB is an intergrowth of nanometer-thick slabs of two structure types, β-FeB and CrB-type structures, in similar proportions. We finally discuss the implications of this novel structure on the reactivity of the material and its ability to perform insertion reactions by comparing the reactivities of α-FeB and β-FeB as reagents in the synthesis of a model layered material: Fe₂AlB₂. Using synchrotron-based in situ X-ray diffraction, we elucidate the mechanisms of the formation of Fe₂AlB₂. We highlight the higher reactivity of the intergrowth α-FeB in agreement with structural relationships.

Controlling polymorphism in molecular cocrystals by variable temperature ball milling

Mechanochemistry offers a unique opportunity to modify and manipulate crystal forms, often providing new products as compared with conventional solution methods. While promising, there is little known about how to control the solid form through mechanochemical means, demanding dedicated investigations. Using a model organic cocrystal system (isonicotinamide:glutaric acid), we here demonstrate that with mechanochemistry, polymorphism can be induced in molecular solids under conditions seemingly different to their conventional thermodynamic (thermal) transition point. Whereas Form II converts to Form I upon heating to 363 K, the same transition can be initiated under ball milling conditions at markedly lower temperatures (348 K). Our results indicate that mechanochemical techniques can help to reduce the energy barriers to solid form transitions, offering new insights into controlling polymorphic forms. Moreover, our results suggest that the nature of mechanochemical transformations could make it difficult to interpret mechanochemical solid form landscapes using conventional equilibrium-based tools.

Combining Theory and Experiments To Study the Influence of Gas Sorption on the Conductivity Properties of Metal-Organic Frameworks

With a view on adding to their use in trace gas sensing, we perform a combined experimental and theoretical study of the change of the conductivity of a metal organic framework (iron (1,2,3)-triazolate, Fe(ta)2) with the uptake of chemically inert gases. To align our first-principles calculations with experimental measurements, we perform an ensemble average over different microscopic arrangements of the gas molecules in the pores of the metal-organic framework (MOF). Up to the experimentally reachable limit of gas uptake, we find a good agreement between both approaches. Thus, we can employ theory to further interpret our experimental results in terms of changes to the parameters of the Bardeen-Shockley band theory, electron-phonon coupling (in the form of the deformation potential), bulk modulus, and carrier effective mass. We find the first of these to be most strongly influenced through the gas uptake. Furthermore, we find the changes to the deformation potential to strongly depend on the individual microscopic arrangements of molecules in the pores of the MOF. This hints at a possible synthetic engineering of the material, e.g., by closing off certain pores, for a stronger, more interpretable electric response upon gas sorption.

Millimeter-Scale Zn(3-ptz)2 Metal-Organic Framework Single Crystals: Self-Assembly Mechanism and Growth Kinetics

The solvothermal synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) often proceeds through competing crystallization pathways, and only partial control over the crystal nucleation and growth rates is possible. It challenges the use of MOFs as functional devices in free-space optics, where bulk single crystals of millimeter dimensions and high optical quality are needed. We develop a synthetic protocol to control the solvothermal growth of the MOF [Zn(3-ptz)2] n (MIRO-101), to obtain large single crystals with projected surface areas of up to 25 mm2 in 24 h, in a single reaction with in situ ligand formation. No additional cooling and growth steps are necessary. We propose a viable reaction mechanism for the formation of MIRO-101 crystals under acidic conditions, by isolating intermediate crystal structures that directly connect with the target MOF and reversibly interconverting between them. We also study the nucleation and growth kinetics of MIRO-101 using ex situ crystal image analysis. The synthesis parameters that control the size and morphology of our target MOF crystal are discussed. Our work deepens our understanding of MOF growth processes in solution and demonstrates the possibility of building MOF-based devices for future applications in optics.

Quenchable amorphous glass-like material from VF3

The quite simple but relatively stable VF3-type compounds are known to be of major interest due to their building blocks - octahedra that are extremely important in perovskites as well. Here, we show that the VF6 octahedron in VF3 varies over a fairly wide pressure range (0-50 GPa), maintaining undisturbed rhombohedral crystal symmetry. Half of this pressure, VF6 rotates easily while the other undergoes strong uniaxial deformation in a "super-dense" condition. The congested sphere packing ultimately does not endure and drives the material to amorphize. We observed that the amorphous state could be quenched and acquire a transparent glass-like appearance when unloaded to ambient conditions. Dramatic, pressure-induced changes are clarified by phonon dispersion curves with the imaginary phonon mode, the so-called phonon soft mode, which indicates the structural instability. The distortion of the VF6 octahedra is attributed to the distinctive amorphization that could be further searched for throughout the whole almost identical VF3-type series providing metal trifluorides of various amorphous species.

Development of an Automatic, High-Throughput Structural Refinement Method Using Rietveld Analysis

Automated structural analysis techniques are required to accelerate materials research. In this study, we developed an algorithm to automate Rietveld analysis, which is a method for crystal structure refinement using powder diffraction patterns. This algorithm features the repeated generation of a set of initial values, followed by one-shot refinement. Accurate results were obtained without any strategy for the sequence of refinement, as is often used in manual analysis. Implementation and testing of the automated algorithm provided fitting results that were comparable to those of manual analysis, even when inaccurate initial values for structural parameters were input. Moreover, the much shorter time was required for the developed automatic analysis method than for manual analysis. The developed method will likely facilitate the analysis of large amounts of diffraction data, allowing the accumulation of structural data that can enhance the efficacy of materials research.

New 2D layered structures with direct fluorine–metal bonds: MF(CH3COO) (M: Sr, Ba, Pb)

New coordination polymers with 2D network structures with fluorine directly coordinated to the metal ion were prepared both via mechanochemical synthesis and fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis.

Engineering Cocrystals of PoorlyWater-Soluble Drugs to Enhance Dissolution in Aqueous Medium

Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II and IV drugs suffer from poor aqueous solubility and hence low bioavailability. Most of these drugs are hydrophobic and cannot be developed into a pharmaceutical formulation due to their poor aqueous solubility. One of the ways to enhance the aqueous solubility of poorlywater-soluble drugs is to use the principles of crystal engineering to formulate cocrystals of these molecules with water-soluble molecules (which are generally called coformers). Many researchers have shown that the cocrystals significantly enhance the aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. In this review, we present a consolidated account of reports available in the literature related to the cocrystallization of poorly water-soluble drugs. The current practice to formulate new drug cocrystals with enhanced solubility involves a lot of empiricism. Therefore, in this work, attempts have been made to understand a general framework involved in successful (and unsuccessful) cocrystallization events which can yield different solid forms such as cocrystals, cocrystal polymorphs, cocrystal hydrates/solvates, salts, coamorphous solids, eutectics and solid solutions. The rationale behind screening suitable coformers for cocrystallization has been explained based on the rules of five i.e., hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding (and in general non-covalent bonding), length of carbon chain, molecular recognition points and coformer aqueous solubility. Different techniques to screen coformers for effective cocrystallization and methods to synthesize cocrystals have been discussed. Recent advances in technologies for continuous and solvent-free production of cocrystals have also been discussed. Furthermore, mechanisms involved in solubilization of these solid forms and the parameters influencing dissolution and stability of specific solid forms have been discussed. Overall, this review provides a consolidated account of the rationale for design of cocrystals, past efforts, recent developments and future perspectives for cocrystallization research which will be extremely useful for researchers working in pharmaceutical formulation development.

Ca- and Sr-tetrafluoroisophthalates: mechanochemical synthesis, characterization, and ab initio structure determination

New fluorinated coordination polymers were prepared mechanochemically by milling the alkaline earth metal hydroxides M^II(OH)₂·xH₂O (M^II: Ca, Sr) with tetrafluoroisophthalic acid (H₂mBDC-F₄). The structures of [{Ca(mBDC-F₄)(H₂O)₂}·H₂O] (1) and [{Sr(mBDC-F₄)(H₂O)₂}·H₂O] (2) were determined based on ab initio calculations and their powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. The compounds are isomorphous and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. The determined structures were validated by using extended X-ray absorption (EXAFS) data. The new materials were thoroughly characterized using elemental analysis, thermal analysis, magic angle spinning NMR, and attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy. Further characterization methods such as BET, dynamic vapor sorption, and scanning electron microscopy imaging were also used. Our investigations indicate that mechanochemistry is an efficient method for preparing such materials.

Strontium-coordination polymers based on tetrafluorophthalic and phthalic acids: mechanochemical synthesis, ab initio structures determination, and spectroscopic characterization

New fluorinated and fluorine-free Sr-based coordination polymers were synthesized by milling of Sr-hydroxide samples with tetrafluorophthalic acid and phthalic acid, respectively.