High-Loading Crystals of Tetraaryladamantanes and the Uptake and Release of Aromatic Hydrocarbons from the Gas Phase.

Recently, a tetraphenyladamantane octamethylether was shown to encapsulate a wide range of small molecules in its crystals. Uptake and release from the liquid phase were demonstrated, and crystalline inclusion complexes were prepared that act as formulation for obnoxious reagents. However, fewer than two equivalents of guest molecules were found within the crystal structures. Here we report the synthesis of 1,3,5,7-tetrakis(2,4-diethoxyphenyl)adamantane (TEO) and twelve X-ray crystal structures that contain up to 3.5 equivalents of guest molecules. After crystallization and drying, TEO gives a material that absorbs 30 wt % of p-xylene reversibly through the gas phase, and releases it again at 55 °C, suggesting that it may be used for the capture and release of aromatic hydrocarbons.