Solvent Effects in the Crystalline Sponge Method: Importance of Co-solvents for Ordering Absorbed Guests

Org Lett. 2021 Dec 3;23(23):9288-9291. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c03660. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Abstract

In the crystalline sponge method, the crucial step for ordering the absorbed guest is soaking of the guest into the pores of the crystalline sponge. Here, we find that the choice of solvent is particularly important for smooth guest soaking and ordering. Moderately polar solvents, such as ketones and esters, which we have previously avoided for the guest-soaking process, efficiently promote diffusion and guest ordering by filling the gaps in the pores through co-crystallization with the guests. Using this modified protocol, we successfully demonstrate the structural analysis of various steroids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't