Topochemical Phenomena in Organic Solid-State Chemistry

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter identifies the fundamental principles topochemical phenomena in organic solid-state chemistry. It discusses the adsorption phenomena, which, in the context of topochemistry, have received very little attention. The chapter then discusses photoinduced dimerizations, polymerizations, and hydrogen-abstraction reactions and contrasts the behavior of certain compounds in the solid-state with their fluid-state reactivity. The topochemical polymerization of dimeric sulphur nitride is then summarized. This serves both as a striking illustration of the topochemical approach and as a convenient point of departure for discussions on crystal engineering and on chiral synthesis. Finally, a few principles and examples of reactions proceeding within two-dimensional arrays of organic molecules clamped, or specifically retained as intercalates, within various layered, inorganic solids are discussed.