Anions induced structural variety of macrocycles containing imidazolium cations

Six compounds including macrocyclic imidazolium cations ([H2LI]2+, [H2LII]2+ or [H2LIII]2+) and anions such as Cl−, SCN− and View the MathML sourceNO3- have been synthesized and characterized, in which different anions were introduced to the macrocyclic skeleton and the interactions of anions with the macrocycle have been investigated. Single-crystal X-ray analyses indicated that the macrocyclic configuration changed from a boat-like configuration to a chair-like configuration with the geometric variety of anions from spherical (Cl−) to linear (SCN−) or trigonal planner View the MathML source(NO3-). Meanwhile, hydrogen bonding interactions between the macrocycle and anions were also studied.