Supramolecular stacking in a high Z′ calix[8]arene–porphyrin assembly

Abstract

A co-crystal structure of sulfonato-calix[8]arene (sclx₈) and trimethylanilinium-porphyrin (tmap) at 1.0 Å resolution is reported. The oppositely charged macrocycles formed an alternating stacked assembly. Crystal packing was completed by peripheral porphyrins that interlinked neighbouring stacks. Numerous cavities, presented by the calixarenes, were occupied by 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (the precipitant) resulting in an unusually high Z′.