Supramolecular stabilization of N(2)H(7)(+).

The cation N(2)H(7)(+) has been stabilized in a largely hydrophobic supramolecular environment and characterized in the solid state. The cation is situated in the bowl-shaped cavity of calix[4]arene. All of the hydrogen atoms are clearly discernible owing to high-quality X-ray data as well as lack of disorder and symmetry-imposed ambiguity. It appears that electrostatic interactions play a critical role in stabilizing the structure.