Experimental X-ray and DFT Structural Analyses of M(12)L(8) Poly-[n]-catenanes Using exo-Tridentate Ligands

[Image: see text] Despite their potential applications in host–guest chemistry, there are only five reported structures of poly-[n]-catenanes self-assembled by elusive M(12)L(8) icosahedral nanocages. This small number of structures of M(12)L(8) poly-[n]-catenanes is because self-assembly of large metal–organic cages (MOCs) with large windows allowing catenation by means of mechanical bonds is very challenging. Structural reports of M(12)L(8) poly-[n]-catenanes are needed to increase our knowledge about the self-assembly and genesis of such materials. Poly-[n]-catenane (1·p-CT) self-assembly of interlocked M(12)L(8) icosahedral cages (M = Zn(II) and L = 2,4,6-tris-(4-pyridyl)benzene (TPB)) including a new aromatic guest (p-chlorotoluene (p-CT)) is reported by single-crystal XRD. Despite the huge internal M(12)L(8) voids (> 2500 Å(3)), p-CT is ordered, allowing a clear visualization of the relative host–guest positions. DFT calculations have been used to compute the electrostatic potential of the TPB ligand, and various aromatic guests (i.e., o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB), p-chloroanisole (p-CA), and nitrobenzene (NBz)) included (ordered) within the M(12)L(8) cages were determined by single-crystal XRD. The computed maps of electrostatic potential (MEPs) allow for the rationalization of the guest’s inclusion seen in the 3D X-ray structures. Although more crystallographic X-ray structures and DFT analysis are needed to gain insights of guest inclusion in the large voids of M(12)L(8) poly-[n]-catenanes, the reported combined experimental/DFT structural analyses approach can be exploited to use isostructural M(12)L(8) poly-[n]-catenanes as hosts for molecular separation and could find applications in the crystalline sponge method developed by Fujita and co-workers. We also demonstrate, exploiting the instant synthesis method, in solution (i.e., o-DCB), and in the solid-state by neat grinding (i.e., without solvent), that the isostructural M(12)L(8) poly-[n]-catenane self-assembled with 2,4,6-tris-(4-pyridyl)pyridine (TPP) ligand and ZnX(2) (where X = Cl, Br, and I) can be kinetically synthesized as crystalline (yields ≈ 60%) and amorphous phases (yields ≈ 70%) in short time and large quantities. Despite the change in the aromatic nature at the center of the rigid exo-tridentate pyridine-based ligand (TPP vs TPB), the kinetic control gives the poly-[n]-catenanes selectively. The dynamic behavior of the TPP amorphous phases upon the uptake of aromatic guest molecules can be used in molecular separation applications like benzene derivatives.