Supramolecular confinement of C60, S8, P4Se3 and toluene by metal(II) macrocyclic complexes

Treatment of S-8 or P4Se3 with {5,7,12,14-tetramethyldibenzo[b,i]-1,4,8,11-tetraaza[14]annulenato}metal(II) [= M(TMTAA)] in carbon disulfide afforded the solid state 1 : 2 inclusion complexes [(S-8){M(TMTAA)}(2)], M = Ni or Cu (isostructural), or [(P4Se3){Ni(TMTAA)}(2)]. A toluene inclusion complex [(MeC6H5)Ni(TMTAA)] resulted from the recrystallisation of [Ni(TMTAA)] from toluene. Recrystallisation of [Ni(TMTAA)] from CS2-hexane resulted in the unsolvated complex. All complexes are comprised of interlocking dimers of the macrocycle, and in the inclusion complexes these dimers act as homotopic divergent receptors either through the methyl- or phenyl-lined surfaces. Solid state 1 : 1 C-60 inclusion complexes of [M(TMTAA)], M = Cu or Zn, have individual macrocycle molecules acting as heterotopic divergent receptors.