Influence of ortho- and meta-substituted N-heterocyclic dications towards the self-assembly of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

Abstract

The interplay of organic dications bearing various n-alkylimidazolium termini substituted at different positions on a bis(methylene)phenyl ring and p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene, along with tetraphenylphosphonium cations and hydrated lanthanides (Ce³⁺, Er³⁺ and Gd³⁺), afforded various self-assembled solid-state structures. The host–guest binding behaviour of the dications and p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene was carefully investigated by crystallographic studies including their interactions in the solution state, but in the absence of phosphonium and lanthanide cations via¹H NMR experiments.