The self-assembly of six-petal microflowers by hydrogen-bonded shape-persistent triangular aromatic hydrazide derivatives

Six-petal microflowers have been self-assembled in methanol from C3-symmetric shape-persistent triangular aromatic hydrazide derivatives. Nine intramolecular hydrogen bonds are used to enhance the planarity of the aromatic backbone, while six 2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)-ethoxyl groups are appended to the rigid aromatic backbone. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the molecules form unique six-petal flower-like aggregates in methanol. A self-assembling mechanism that is similar to the formation of snowflakes has been proposed.