4-aminosalicylic acid in crystals: a structural exploration of the Cambridge structural database

p-Aminosalicylic acid (4-ASA), a well-established antituberculosis agent, demonstrates significant chemical versatility, allowing the formation of a wide range of crystalline architectures through diverse supramolecular interactions. This study provides a comparative analysis of 105 solid-state structures containing 4-ASA, retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database, and categorizes them into co-crystals, organic salts, and coordination compounds. The analysis focuses on key intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π…π stacking, and metal-ligand interactions that govern their assembly, emphasizing the structural adaptability of 4-ASA. These insights are valuable for the rational design, development, and optimization of functional crystalline materials and optimized pharmaceutical formulations based on solid-state modifications.