Complexation of Racemic 2,6-Helic[6]arene and Its Hexamethyl-Substituted Derivative with Quaternary Ammonium Salts, N-Heterocyclic Salts, and Tetracyanoquinodimethane.

Complexation of racemic 2,6-helic[6]arene 1 and its hexamethyl-substituted derivative 2 with quaternary ammonium salts, N-heterocyclic salts, and tetracyanoquinodimethane have been described in detail. It was found that host 2 could form stable complexes with acetyl choline, thiaacetyl choline, N,N,N-trimethylbenzenammonium salt, pyridinium, and 4,4'-bipyridinium salts in solution and/or in the solid state. The unsubstituted macrocycle 1 showed more significant complexation with the widely tested quaternary ammonium salts and N-heterocyclic salts, and exhibited stronger complexation towards the guests than its derivative 2. Moreover, it was found that macrocycle 1 and its derivative 2 could also complex with neutral electron-deficient tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and the association constants were determined to be 2840±94 and 1358±46 m-1 , respectively. These results could make this new macrocycle and its derivatives find wide applications in the design and construction of functional supramolecular assemblies.