Columnar one-dimensional coordination polymer formed with a metal ion and a host–guest complex as building blocks: potassium ion complexed cucurbituril

A novel one-dimensional coordination polymer comprising a metal ion and a host–guest complex is described. Cucurbituril, a barrel-shaped molecule and potassium ion form a columnar 1D coordination polymer in the solid state, formula of which is [(C36H36N24O12)K2(OH)2·(C4H8O)]n. In the coordination polymer, cucurbituril molecules stack atop one another through coordination of their carbonyl groups to the potassium ions in between. A disordered THF molecule is encapsulated in the cavity of each of the cucurbituril molecule.