Diphosphonate cavitands as molecular cups for l-lactic acid

Abstract

The complexation of L-lactic acid by two isomeric diphosphonate cavitands was studied, both in solution and in the solid state. ¹H and ³¹P NMR experiments and X-ray diffraction analysis on single crystals evidenced the formation of a supramolecular host–guest adduct with both synthetic receptors, driven by a combination of H-bonding and C–H⋯π interactions.