Scandium(III) coordination polymers containing capsules based on two p-sulfonatocalix[4]arenes.

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Coordination Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Calixarenes are versatile macrocyclic hosts with tunable properties.
• Coordination polymers offer potential for designing porous materials.
• Scandium(III) and crown ethers can mediate complex self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel coordination polymers involving sodium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and scandium(III) tristriflate.
• To investigate the structural influence of [18]crown-6 on these complexes.
• To explore the supramolecular assembly and porous characteristics of the resulting materials.

Main Methods:

• Crystallization of coordination complexes.
• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
• Characterization of supramolecular interactions and network topology.

Main Results:

• Two crystalline complexes were obtained: one without [18]crown-6 and one with it.
• Both complexes feature coordination polymers with calixarene units linked by sodium or scandium centers.
• The absence of [18]crown-6 yielded linear arrays of capsules and sodium ion chains.
• The presence of [18]crown-6 resulted in a 2D network with scandium bridging calixarenes, and crown ethers creating a 3D structure.
• Both structures exhibit high porosity and a bilayer-like resemblance.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully synthesized novel coordination polymers with intricate structures.
• [18]crown-6 plays a crucial role in directing the self-assembly and dimensionality of the coordination network.
• The resulting porous materials demonstrate potential for applications in host-guest chemistry and separation technologies.