Host–guest modes and supramolecular frameworks of complexes of tetramethyl cucurbit[6]uril with 4-chloroaniline and 4,4′-diaminostilbene

Since the first reportal on decamethylcucurbit[5]uril (Me10Q[5]) in 1992, substituted cucurbit[n]urils have attracted considerable research interest. In this study, the host–guest modes between the tetramethyl cucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) as a host and 4-chloroaniline and 4,4′-diaminostilbene (G1 and G2) as guests were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, ITC, UV-Vis spectrum, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analyses. The experimental results showed that TMeQ[6] formed a 1 : 1 inclusion compound with G1, and the carbonyl portal of TMeQ[6] formed a 1 : 1 self-assembly with G2. Further, multi-dimensional supramolecular frameworks were formed driven by weak interaction forces in the system (hydrogen bonding, C–H⋯π interactions, ion–dipole interactions, and dipole–dipole interactions).