LAUSR

Structures of different solvates and solute–solvent interactions of 4-(3-(4-nitrophenyl)urido)benzoate (L1) and methyl-4-(3-(4-nitrophenyl)thiourido)benzoate (L2) with different solvents are analyzed. The solution of L1 with tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAA) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is colorless, but a similar solution of L2 with TBAA is orange. On the other hand, respective solutions of these urea and thiourea derivatives with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in DMSO are orange. Urea derivative L1 facilitates the reaction of TBAF with glass to form tetrabutylammonium hexafluorosilicate, which on further interaction with L1 forms cocrystal 2L1·(TBA)2SiF6. Reorganization of hydrogen-bonded self-assembly of 2L1·(TBA)2SiF6 in DMSO caused by water is established by a dynamic light scattering study. With an increase in the amount of water in the solution, visual color changes from orange to colorless, and the color changes are reversed upon the addition of a dehydrating agent such as molecular sieves. Solvates of L1 with DMSO, dimethylformamide (DMF), and dimethylacetamide are quasi-isostructural. The respective self-assembly of these solvates differs due to orientations of aromatic rings and the carbomethoxy group across the thioamide/amide bond. Significant differences in self-assemblies of the respective DMSO solvate of L1 and L2 are observed; self-assembly of the former has dimeric subassemblies as repeat units, whereas the latter has monomeric subassemblies. DMF solvates of L1 and dimethylacetamide of L1 are built by dimeric subassemblies to form self-assembled structures, but these subassemblies differ in the orientation of the carbomethoxy group across the urea units.