1,3,5-2,4,6-functionalized, facially segregated benzenes-exploitation of sterically predisposed systems in supramolecular chemistry.

In the present article, we introduce the unique steric features of 1,3,5-substituted triethylbenzenes as a design principle for host molecules and supramolecular systems. Due to steric gearing, all three functional substituents are disposed on the same side of the phenyl plane. The use of this benzene scaffold has lead to the synthesis of various receptor molecules for a wide range of different guest species. Furthermore, the facially segregated systems can be used as building blocks with a controlled conformation in the synthesis of macrocycles or self-assembled supramolecular systems.