Single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange in columnar assembled brominated triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles

Self-assembly of brominated triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles affords robust porous materials. Urea hydrogen bonds organize these building blocks into 1-dimensional columns, which pack via halogen-aryl interactions. The crystals are stable when emptied, present two distinct absorption sites for Xe with restricted Xe diffusion, and exhibit single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange.