Diamondoid architectures from halogen-bonded halides.

The reactions between a tetrahedrally-shaped tecton, tetrakis-(4-(iodoethynyl)phenyl)methane, and tetraphenylphosphonium halides readily afford interpenetrated and densely packed diamondoid architectures sustained by C-I ... X- (X- = chloride, bromide, iodide) interactions. In all these halogen-bonded networks, the halide anions act as four-connecting nodes, while the tetraphenylphosphonium cations provide essential templating information and structural support.