High-symmetry inclusion compounds with mixed guests

Abstract

2,2′-Bis(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl, H, forms two structurally similar inclusion compounds, H·H₂O·⅙benzene (compound 1) and H·2⅙H₂O (compound 2). In both crystal structures, six host molecules form a cyclomer linked via hydrogen bonding to bridging water molecules. In the case of compound 1 the resulting cavity encapsulates a benzene molecule, whereas compound 2 includes a total of 2⅙ molecules of water per host to form an inclusion compound with an intricate H-bonding pattern.