Supramolecular complexation of N-alkyl- and N,N'-dialkylpiperazines with cucurbit[6]uril in aqueous solution and in the solid state.

Complex stoichiometry/composition and degree of oligomerization (oligomeric supramolecular complex formation) of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with N-alkyl- and N,N'-dialkylpiperazine were investigated in aqueous solutions by means of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), ESI-MS, NMR and light scattering measurements. It was found that the complex stability and the degree of oligomerization increase with elongating the alkyl chain attached to the piperazine core. X-ray crystallographic studies revealed a clear correlation between the structure of CB[6]-alkylpiperazine crystals obtained from aqueous solutions and the molecular weight/properties of host-guest oligomers existed in the solution as supramolecular "seeds" of crystal formation.