Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.110, No.42, 21365-21370, 2006
Supramolecular structure of N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) alkylamine: Flexible molecular assembly framework for host without guest and host with guest
N,N-Bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) alkylamine derivatives form a cage-like assembly consisting of two molecules via inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The derivatives exhibit themselves as host to accept copper-ion guests under the double-oxygen-bridged dimeric system. Quantum chemical calculation suggested that the host-guest interaction is based on a charge-transfer coordination. Comparison of the crystal structures before and after complexation clarifies a rare example of a host-guest compound where the hosts maintain their cage framework through the change of hydrogen bonds to coordination bonds.