The dimeric complex of cyclomaltoheptaose with 1,14-tetradecanedioic acid. Comparison with related complexes

The structure of the complex of cyclomaltoheptaose (β-cyclodextrin, βCD) with 1,14-tetradecanedioic acid has been determined and refined to a final R=0.0693 based on 9824 observed reflections. Each diacid molecule threads through two βCD monomers arranged in dimers thus, forming a [3]pseudorotaxane. The end carboxylic groups of adjacent dimers, far apart and fully hydrated, are associated indirectly through water molecules. The positioning of the carboxylic groups with respect to the βCD dimer and the H-bonds with water molecules are very similar to these of the corresponding complexes of the diacids with 12 and 13 carbon atoms. The bending in the middle of the aliphatic chain is more prominent, compared to that of the corresponding guests with less carbon atoms, thus the end carboxylic groups stay in the same height of the primary faces of the βCD dimeric complex. As a consequence of the present structure, more close contacts are observed between calculated H-atoms of the guest and O-atoms of the host inside the cavity. This bending is allowed by the width of the βCD dimer cavity at the secondary interface region.