Comparable inclusion and aggregation structures of p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene and p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene upon complexation with quinoline guests

Four supramolecular complexes of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene with 8-hydroxyquinolinium (HQ(+)) and 8-aminoquinolinium (AQ(+)) guests were prepared, and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [HQ(+)](3.5)[p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene(4-) + 0.5H(+)]center dot 13.5H(2)O (1), [HQ(+)](4)[P-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene(4-)] -6.75H(2)O (2), [HQ(+)](2.5) [p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene(4-) + 1.5H(+)]center dot 7.75H(2)O (3), and [AQ(+)] (1.25)[p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene(4-) + 2.75H(+)]center dot 9H(2)O (4), respectively. The results obtained show that p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene can offer different inclusion structures with a HQ(+) guest from p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene, and the formation of a molecular capsule based on p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene and HQ(+) is pH-dependent. Furthermore, the aggregation structures of complexes 1-4 are comparatively discussed from the viewpoint of the manner of aggregation and driving forces.