A versatile tripodal host with cylindrical conformation: solvatomorphism, inclusion behavior, and separation of guests

Tripodal host 2,4,6-tris(1-phenyl-1H-tetrazolylsulfanylmethyl)mesitylene (TPTM) has been synthesized through a facile procedure. As expected, it adopts an all-syn cylindrical configuration, thereby delimiting an inner cavity. To explore the solvatomorphism and inclusion behavior of TPTM, a series of organic and inorganic species were employed as guests to afford 17 inclusion compounds (1, 2, 3 a-3 f, 4 a-4 i) that can be classified into four distinct forms (forms I-IV), under similar conditions. These compounds were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and (1)H NMR studies. In compound 1 with form I, one foot of a TPTM molecule inserts into the cavity of an opposite TPTM molecule to form a dimeric "hand-shake" motif with one acetonitrile molecule occupying the void. Compound 2 with form II contains three types of capsule-shaped dimers, each of which holds a CH(2)Cl(2) molecule as the guest. In compounds 3 a-3 f with form III, each pair of TPTM molecules interdigitates to form a capsule-shaped dimeric unit accommodating a guest molecule in the endo-cavity. In compounds 4 a-4 i with form IV, each TPTM molecule makes contact with three nearby TPTM molecules in a "self-including" manner to generate a graphite-like organic layer, and through further superposition to form open hexagonal channels. From the experimental and theoretical results, the intrinsic properties of guest molecules, such as size, shape, and self-interaction, can be regarded as the main factors leading to these solvatomorphism phenomena and the subtle inclusion behavior of TPTM. Thermogravimetric analyses show that the encapsulated guest molecules in these compounds can be evacuated at relatively high temperatures, and this demonstrates the outstanding inclusion capability of TPTM. In addition, for compound 4 a with benzene molecules in the channels, reversible exchange of toluene and separation of xylene isomers on single crystals have been observed.