Conformational study of the higher [n.n]paracylophanes: evaluation as potential hosts for molecular halogens and benzenes

Abstract

A fundamental study of the conformations of [7.7]-, [8.8]-, [9.9]-, [11.11]- and octamethyl[8.8]-paracyclophanes in the solid state shows that the [odd.odd] members of the series possess parallel, symmetrically disposed benzene rings. A new genre of inclusion phenomenon based on donor–halogen EDA interactions is also defined and the potential of cyclophanes to act as hosts both in this capacity and to benzenes is discussed.