Crystal Structure of a Uranyl/p-tert-Butylcalix[5]arene Complex

The synthesis and crystal structure of the inclusion complex between uranyl and p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene are reported. [UO2 (p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene-4H]2- · &·2MeOH(1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, a = 30.06(2), b = 18.20(3), c = 31.35(2) Å, = 128.51(6)°, V = 13423(40) Å3, Z = 8. Refinement led to a final conventional R value of 0.043 for 4155 reflections. The uranyl ion is bonded, in its equatorial plane, to the five oxygen atoms of the calixarene, four of which are deprotonated. A protonated triethylamine molecule is located inside the calixarene cavity and hydrogen bonded to a uranyl oxygen atom, and another one outside and hydrogen bonded to a calixarene oxygen atom. The calixarene conformation is the usual cone one.