Design, synthesis, characterization and utilization of hydrogen bonded networks based on functionalized organometallic sandwich compounds and the occurrence of crystal polymorphism

The design and construction of hybrid organic–organometallic and inorganic–organometallic crystalline materials formed by hydrogen bonded functionalized organometallic sandwich compounds are described. It is shown that the ionic or neutral nature of the building blocks can be exploited to control the strength of intermolecular bonding and the structure–function relationship. The occurrence of crystal polymorphism associated with hydrogen bonded dimers and hydrogen bonded networks is discussed. It is also argued that solid–solid and solid–gas reactions involving preformed hydrogen bonded organometallic molecular crystals provide a viable “green” route to the preparation of novel hybrid molecular crystalline materials.