Counterintuitive affinity of [2.2]paracyclophane to cations

David Quiñonero, Antonio Frontera, Carolina Garau, Pau Ballester, Antoni Costa, Pere M. Deyà, Fabio Pichierri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Geometries and binding energies of complexes of cations with benzene, [2.2]paracyclophane and a [2.2]paraheterocyclophane are computed and compared using ab initio calculations. [2.2]Paracyclophane is not used for building cation receptors because of its small cavity. Here, we demonstrate that its binding capability toward cations using one aromatic ring is superior to benzene in ∼10 kcal/mol. This unexpected difference is explained by the reduction, upon complexation, of the repulsive interaction of the π-systems, which is due to the close proximity of the two benzene rings. Experimental results derived from the analysis of X-ray structures retrieved from the CSD support this explanation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-64
Number of pages6
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume408
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005 Jun 7

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