Anion induced configuration variety of an imidazolium-containing macrocycle

Replacement of chloride anions with fluoride anions in a dicationic imidazolium-containing macrocycle, [H2L]Cl2, resulted in a sandwich-like structure wherein two fluoride anions were bound between two macrocycles via electrostatic interactions. In comparison, removal of chloride anions led to the formation of a macrocycle-based dimer. Both examples indicate that the anion plays a key role in the packing mode of the imidazolium-containing macrocycle.