Dimeric Resorcin[4]arene Capsules in the Solid State

Supramolecular chemistry research is focused on the study of weak non-covalent intermolecular — that is, supramolecular — interactions as the driving force in self-assembly and molecular recognition. Dimeric resorcin[4]arenes capsules have been a focus of our research for the last 15 years. This review describes the solid state complexation studies of unsubstituted phenolic resorcin[4]arenes and pyrogall[4]arenes towards the formation of dimeric capsules and assemblies using ionic and neutral species as guest molecules and templates. The multitude of different crystal structures obtained during these studies demonstrates the versatile nature of resorcin[4]arenes and pyrogall[4]arenes (2-hydroxy-resorcin[4]arenes) as supramolecular hosts in crystal engineering.