Synthesis, crystal structure and self-assembly of novel ninhydrin-derived isoquinoline compounds

•New isoquinoline-based compounds were synthesized from readily available ninhydrin.•X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that compound 1 self-assembled to form zipper architecture, while compound 4 displays helical arrangement.•The molecular interactions were explored using the Hirshfeld surface analysis.•SEM study revealed that compound 1 forms vesicular structure, whereas structurally analogous compounds 3 and 4 exhibit fibrillar morphology.