Molecular tectonics: design, synthesis and structural analysis of a molecular network based on inclusion processes using a doubly fused p-isopropylcalix[4]arene

Abstract

The synthesis of a hollow molecular module (koiland) possessing two divergent cavities was achieved by double fusion of two p-isopropylcalix[4]arenes in cone conformation by two silicon atoms. The formation of either a discrete binuclear inclusion complex in the presence of CH ₂ Cl ₂ acting as stopper or of an infinite 1-D inclusion network (koilate) in the presence of hexadiyne acting as connector was demonstrated in the solid state by single-crystal diffraction studies. The inclusion network was based on the interconnection of consecutive koilands by connector molecules.