Insight into supramolecular self-assembly directed by weak interactions in acetophenone derivatives: crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analyses

The crystallographic study of four acetophenone derivatives (1–4) is reported in the context of crystal engineering with a detailed analysis of Hirshfeld surfaces and fingerprint plots facilitating a comparison of intermolecular interactions in building different supramolecular self-assemblies. The X-ray study reveals that molecules of 1–4 are linked by cooperative weak C–H⋯O, C–H⋯π and π⋯π stacking interactions which are responsible for the formation and strengthening of molecular assembly. The substituting benzyl units are used as a potential scaffold for designing supramolecular self-assemblyvia C–H⋯π forces. Investigation of Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals a much more detailed scrutiny in comparison to these weak forces experienced by each compound. A comparison of Hirshfeld surfaces in the title derivatives with similar substituted and unsubstituted structures retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has been presented.