Molecular Recognition Based on Roof-shaped Diol Hosts. X-Ray Crystal Structures of Inclusion Compounds with Methanol, Pyridine and Toluene

Three crystalline inclusion compounds of roof-shapedtrans-11,12-bis(diaryl-hydroxymethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene host molecules where aryl is 4-methyl-phenyl (3) or4-t-butylphenyl (4)] have been studied by X-ray diffraction.The crystals of both the 3methanol (2 : 1) a = 10.755(1),b = 11.571(1), c = 14.697(2) Å, = 75.12(1), = 89.67(1), = 87.13(1) °] and the 4-pyridine (2 : 3) compoundsa = 14.045(3), b = 14.366(3), c = 15.607(3) Å, = 91.62(1), = 103.65(1) and =116.05(1)°] are triclinic (P–1),while the 3toluene (1 : 1) complex has orthorhombic (Fddd) symmetry a = 16.041(1), b = 25.008(1), c = 40.440(4) Å]. The host–guest interactions in both triclinic crystals are characterised by hydrogen bonds, with different patterns however. The determined crystal structures indicate a compromise between the requirement of hydrogen bonding on the one hand and close packing on the other. The highly symmetrical host framework in the toluene (1 : 1) complex of 3 seems to be the result of shape recognition, although atendency towards weak (C_methyl)H _arylinteractions C_methyl = 3.533(7) and 3.674(6) Å] between the hosts was observed. The present roof-shaped diol hosts give excellent examples of molecular recognition by exhibiting two significantly different conformations, mostly depending on the proton donor/acceptor ability of the guest component. (O)H O intramolecular bonding between the two alcoholic groups characterises the so-called active form, whereas weaker (O)H and interactions stabilise the `inactive'conformation.