Syntheses and crystal structures of supramolecular compounds of tetranuclear ZrIV and HfIV aqua hydroxo complexes with macrocyclic cavitand cucurbituril

Slow evaporation of hydrochloric acid solutions of zirconium(iv) or hafnium(iv) oxochlorides and cucurbituril in air afforded compounds with composition [M₄(OH)₈(H₂O)₁₆]Cl₈·(C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)·16H₂O, where M = Zr (1) or Hf (2). According to the X-ray diffraction data, complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural. Their crystal structures can be described as packings of polymer chains consisting of alternating cucurbituril molecules and tetranuclear cations [M₄(OH)₈(H₂O)₁₆]⁸⁺ linked to each other via an extensive network of hydrogen bonds. Compound 2 is the first structurally characterized tetranuclear hafnium aqua complex.