title: Asararenes--a family of large aromatic macrocycles.
abstract: We announce the establishment of a new family of macrocycles--the asararenes, which are based on para-methylene linked "asarol methyl ether" (1,2,4,5-tetramethoxybenzene) units. Macrocycles with 6-12 aromatic units have been synthesized and isolated in a single step from asarol methyl ether and paraformaldehyde. Even larger rings, with up to 15 asarol methyl ether units, have been observed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Single-crystal X-ray structures of asar[6]-, asar[7]-, asar[8]-, asar[9]-, asar[10]- and asar[11]arene highlight the diverse structural features of this family of macrocycles. While the cavities of the asar[6-8]arene macrocycles are mostly filled with methoxyl groups, the asar[9]- and asar[10]arene rings contain accessible cavities and self-assemble into infinite channels filled with solvent molecules in the solid state. These solid-state structures highlight the potential of this family of macrocycles for a wide range of potential applications.
authors: Center for the Chemistry of Integrated Systems and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
authors: Severin T
authors: ST
authors: Schneebeli
authors: Chuyang
authors: C
authors: Cheng
authors: Karel J
authors: KJ
authors: Hartlieb
authors: Nathan L
authors: NL
authors: Strutt
authors: Amy A
authors: AA
authors: Sarjeant
authors: Charlotte L
authors: CL
authors: Stern
authors: J Fraser
authors: JF
authors: Stoddart