We have prepared single crystals of a coordination compound, but how could we grow larger crystal?
There are lots of ways to try to grow large crystals of coordination complexes, some which I am familiar with:
1. Slow evaporation: The most straightforward method. Place a solution of your complex in a vial with a very loose cap and allow it to evaporate over the course of several weeks. If your complex is air sensitive, the solution can be placed in a glovebox or in a schlenk tube outfitted with a septa, piercing the septa with a needle and flowing nitrogen into the tube.
2. Direct diffusion: With your solution in a seal-able tube, carefully layer another solvent on top, being sure not to cause any mixing. Allow the tube to rest undisturbed as the solvents diffuse into one another. The top solvent should be soluble in whatever solvent you have your complex in but the complex should be insoluble in it. Common examples are methanol and ether or water and THF.
3. Indirect diffusion: Similar to direct diffusion except the solvents do not directly come into contact. One way of doing this is to put your solution of complex into a small vial (without cap) then placing it into a larger vial, fill this larger vial about halfway with the layering solvent and tighten the cap all the way. Over time the solvent will vaporize and then dissolve in the complex solution, decreasing it's solubility and hopefully resulting in crystals.
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