Insights into molecular recognition from the crystal structures of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene complexed with different solvents

Abstract

Calixarenes are host molecules that can form complexes with one or more guest molecules, and molecular recognition in calixarenes can be affected by many factors. With a view to establishing molecular recognition rules, the host p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene (TBC6) was crystallized with different guest molecules (cyclohexane, anisole, heptane, toluene, benzene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran and pyridine) and the obtained structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction. With most solvents, 1:1 and/or 1:3 host–guest complexes were formed, although other stoichiometries were also observed with small guest molecules, and crystallization from ethyl acetate produced the unsolvated form. The calculated fill percentage of the TBC6 cavity was ∼55% for apolar guests and significantly lower for polar solvents, indicating that polar molecules can bind to apolar cavities with significantly lower packing coefficients. The most stable crystals were formed by 1:1 host–guest inclusion complexes. The ratio between the apolar surface area and the volume was used to predict the formation of inclusion versus exclusion complexes, with inclusion complexes observed at ratios <40. These findings allow the binding of potential guest molecules to be predicted and a suitable crystal packing for the designed properties to be obtained.