A new ligand for metal–organic framework and co-crystal synthesis: mechanochemical route to rctt-1,2,3,4-tetrakis-(4′-carboxyphenyl)-cyclobutane

A novel method to access rctt-1,2,3,4-tetrakis-(4'-carboxyphenyl)-cyclobutane in quantitative yield from an environmentally benign route is presented. The cyclobutane derivative is demonstrated as a potential candidate to serve as an organic building block for making co-crystal and MOF.