Concave macrobicycles: Absorption spectra, luminescence properties, and endocavital complexation of neutral organic guests

By a mild modified Eglinton coupling a series of diynebridged macrobicyclic hosts capable of endocavital complexation were synthesized and their structures and complexation properties investigated by X-ray analysis. The inclusion of DMSO in 7 suggests a direct correlation between steric fit and orientation of the guest. On the basis of this hypothesis, the orientation of acetone in an endocavital inclusion of 2 was predicted and verified by X-ray analysis. Comparison of the single-crystal X-ray structures of the vacant macrobicycle 3 and of a family of macrobicycles showing endocavital or “pocket” complexation of neutral organic guests suggests that torsion of the cavities upon complexation…