Helical self‐assembly of 2‐(1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecan‐1‐yl)cyclohexan‐1‐ol (cycyclen)

The title macrocyclic amino alcohol compound, C₁₄H₃₀N₄O, is investigated as a solid‐state synthon for the design of a self‐assembled tubular structure. It crystallizes in a helical column constructed by stereospecific O—H...N and N—H...N interactions. The hydrogen‐bonding interactions, dependent upon macrocyclic ring helicity and molecular conformation, link R,R and S,S enantiomers in a head‐to‐tail fashion, forming a continuous hydrophilic inner core.