13,17,53,57-Tetraphenyl-13,17,53,57-tetrathio-3,7-dithia-1,5(1,5)-di(1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctana)-2,4,6,8(1,4)-tetrabenzenacyclooctaphane with an unusual conical-like conformation

1³,1⁷,5³,5⁷-tetraphenyl-1³,1⁷,5³,5⁷-tetrathio-3,7-dithia-1,5(1,5)-di(1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctana)-2,4,6,8(1,4)-tetrabenzenacyclooctaphane 2b was obtained by sulfurization of the corresponding macrocyclic tetraphosphine 1b. The structure of the inclusion complex of tetrasulfide 2b with DMF was investigated by the X-ray crystal structure analysis. A novel for this type of cyclophanes and relatively rare conical-like conformation of the macrocycle was found. A methyl group from one of the solvating DMF molecules penetrates the macrocyclic cavity of 2b from the side of the wider rim. According to quantum-chemical simulations, this may be the reason of the unusual conical conformation of 2b because the cavity of the macrocycles of this type is highly flexible. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.