Encapsulation of biogenic polyamines by carboxylcalix[5]arenes: when solid-state design beats recognition in solution†
Abstract
The biogenic tetraamines, spermine and norspermine, are efficiently encapsulated in the solid state by two molecules of carboxylcalix[5]arene, by means of a highly regioselective proton-transfer followed by bis-endo-cavity inclusion, providing overall-neutral complexes with a 70–72% packing coefficient, despite the modest affinity shown in solution.
- This article is part of the themed collection: Form and Function of Molecular Cups and Capsules