Synlett 2004(3): 517-521  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815423
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Unexpected Dimerization of a N5O3 Cryptand in Aqueous Solution after Being Protonated by Hydrochloric Acid

Zhen Maa, Shi-Xiong Liu*a,b
a Central Laboratory, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P. R. China
b State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P. R. China
Fax: +86(591)3729860; e-Mail: shixiongliu@yahoo.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 10 December 2003
Publication Date:
26 January 2004 (online)

Abstract

An unexpected dimerization of a cryptand L with N5O3 donors, C33H45N5O3, was observed in aqueous solution when L was treated by hydrochloric acid in MeOH and washed with EtOH. The crystal dimerization product is a complex (H2L2)2+·2Cl-·5HCl·18H2O (1) (where the neutral dimeric cryptand L2 is C66H90N10O6). The crystal complex L2·2HCl ·3H2O (2) was ­obtained when complex 1 was neutralized with aqueous solution of NaOH. The two complexes have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, NMR and MS. The conformation of L2 in 1 is endo-endo-endo-endo, and the two nitrogen atoms of four bridgehead tertiary nitrogen atoms of L2 are protonated. However, conformation of L2 in 2 is endo-exo-endo-exo, and the L2 is neutral.

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Ma, Z.; Liu, S.-X.; Yang, R.-D. to be submitted.