Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis is a vital and precise method to identify the structures and absolute configurations of molecules at the atomic level. However, this method is not suitable for liquid molecules. Here, we report a new and easy method to tackle this challenge via merging supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering. A glycoluril-derived molecular clip as a molecule catcher is designed and synthesized which forms cocrystals with four different liquid molecules within 24 hours, leading to the confirmation of the structures of these liquid molecules. This work is expected to open new opportunities for the structural identification of liquid molecules.

中文翻译：

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与夹子型分子捕集器共结晶：确定液体分子结构的新方法

单晶X射线衍射分析是一种重要且精确的方法，可用于识别原子级分子的结构和绝对构型。但是，该方法不适用于液体分子。在这里，我们报告了一种通过合并超分子化学和晶体工程来解决这一难题的简便方法。设计并合成了源自甘脲的分子夹作为分子捕获器，该分子夹在24小时内与四种不同的液体分子形成共晶体，从而确认了这些液体分子的结构。预期这项工作将为液体分子的结构鉴定打开新的机会。