Halogen-bonded zigzag molecular network based upon 1,2-diiodoperchlorobenzene and the photoproduct rctt-1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-2,4-diphenylcyclobutane

The formation and crystal structure of a zigzag molecular network held together by I...N halogen bonds is reported. In particular, the halogen-bond donor is 1,2-diiodoperchlorobenzene (1,2-C6I2Cl4) while the acceptor is a head-to-tail photoproduct, namely rctt-1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-2,4-diphenylcyclobutane (ht-PP). In this co-crystal (1,2-C6I2Cl4)·(ht-PP), the donor acts as a bent two-connected node while the acceptor behaves as a linear linker to form the extended solid. Neighbouring chains pack in a tongue-and-groove-like pattern that engage in various Cl...π interactions to both the phenyl and pyridyl rings resulting in a supramolecular two-dimensional sheet.