Inclusion of an anion guest within a molecular host formed by (4,6-dimethyl-1,3-phenylene)bis( N , N -dibenzylmethane) and [CuCl4]2−/[TeCl6]2− through second-sphere coordination

In this work, we have utilized the second-sphere coordination approach toward the construction of supramolecular inclusion solids Cl · 2H2O ⊂ [H2L1]0.5 · [CuCl4]0.5 (Crystal 1) and Cl ⊂ [H2L1] · [TeCl6]0.5 (Crystal 2). The chloride anions can be encapsulated inside the host assemblies formed by the diamine molecule (4,6-dimethyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(N,N-dibenzylmethane) (L1) and the metal complexes ([CuCl4]2− and [TeCl6]2−) via second-sphere coordination. The complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, indicating that weak C–H ··· Cl hydrogen-bonding synthons play a significant role in the construction of second-sphere coordination complexes. 2-D networks are formed in both complexes by the interconnection of 1-D networks through multiple C–H ··· Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions with [CuCl4]2− and [TeCl6]2−. The guest chlorides are encapsulated inside the host cages through N–H ··· Cl hydrogen bonds.