Synthesis and X-ray crystallographic investigation of a novel indole-based cryptand:: structure of a sandwiched cyclic S6 hexameric methanol cluster

Synthesis of a novel cryptand with an indole moiety in its architecture is described. Crystal structures of this newly synthesized cryptand and its trialdehyde precursor have been investigated. In the case of the cryptand molecule, a discrete cyclic S-6-symmetric hexameric methanol cluster sandwiched between the hydrophobic ends of two cryptand units was characterized crystallographically. Moreover, a hexameric cyclic chair conformation composed of methanol and secondary nitrogen atoms from the cryptand skeleton was also identified. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.