Molecular Structure of the Ethylenediammonium Complex of a Tetracarboxy-macrocyclic Receptor Molecule

The crystal and molecular structure of the complex formed by the ionized bistartro-18]-crown-6 receptor molecule 1 with the ethylenediammonium cation, is described. The macrocycle is roughly planar, the carboxy groups of each tartaric acid residue being in a diaxial relationship and extending above and below this plane. This conformation allows ‘lateral’ interactions with bound species to occur. The substrate is sandwiched between two macrocycles, with one of its NH heads anchored to the polyether core, and the other one in contact with the two carboxy groups of the neighboring molecule.