Self-assembly of resorcin[4]arene in the presence of small alkylammonium guests in solution.

We followed the self-assembly of C-alkyl-resorcin[4]arene (1a,1b) in the presence of tetraethylammonium salts (2). The X-ray structure of C-ethyl-resorcin[4]arene (1c) in the presence of TEABr (2b), showed a dimer encapsulating one guest. However, diffusion measurements reveal that two molecules of tetraethylammonium are encapsulated within the hexameric capsule of 1a,b in chloroform, regardless of the anion. Most importantly, the anion affects the role of water in the self-assembly and the nature of the formed capsules.