Synthesis and inclusion behavior of cyclotriphosphazene molecules with asymmetric spiro rings.

Two novel cyclic phosphazenes with asymmetric spiro rings were synthesized via reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with chiral amino alcohol residues. The reactions showed preferential formation of the cis isomer possibly due to the delocalization of the lone pair electrons of the spirocylic nitrogen, which reduces its ability to solvate protons. Crystals of these phosphazenes were analyzed by X-ray crystallography which confirmed the formation of cis isomers and showed their ability to include guest molecules within the crystal lattices. The selective inclusion of epoxides by one of the phosphazenes was an effective method for the separation of thermally sensitive guest molecules.