Crystal structure determination from two-dimensional powders: A combined experimental and theoretical approach The example para-cyano-quaterphenylene

A combined experimental and theoretical approach is used to solve the unknown crystal structure of para-cyano-quaterphenylene. Thin films are prepared by physical vapor deposition on isotropic surfaces, whereby a two-dimensional powder is formed. Using specular and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, the crystallographic unit cell of the dominant polymorph phase is obtained.