Molecular Recognition of Anionic Substrates. Crystal Structures of the Supramolecular Inclusion Complexes of Terephthalate and Isophthalate Dianions with a Bis-intercaland Receptor Molecule

Molecular recognition of flat substrates requires the design of receptor molecules containing complementary flat units. If two such units are incorporated into a macrocyclic framework, a face to face inclusion of a planar substrate may take place, leading to an intercalative supramolecular structure. The water-soluble macrocyclic bis-intercaland receptor 1.4H+, containing two naphthalene subunits, linked by two positively charged oxy-bis- ethylamine binding sites, is able to bind strongly flat organic anions. The crystal structures of the terephthalate 2 and isophthalate 3 inclusion complexes are reported here. Complex 2, triclinic, P-1(N°), a = 7.717(3), b = 10.625(6), c = 16.238(9) Å, = 99.00(7), = 99.70(6), = 109.46(4)°, Z = 1. Complex 3, triclinic, P1 (N°1), a = 7.513(10), b = 10.640(9), c = 16.164(10) Å, = 98.81(5), = 99.77(10), = 109.36(12)°, Z = 1. Comparison of the environment (water molecules, anions and macrocycle) in the two X-ray structures highlights the formation of a similar organized assembly with the two different substrates.