Assembly behavior and binding ability of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 with the potassium ion

Two novel supramolecular aggregations possessing column structures have been prepared from double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 ether (2) and its complex with potassium ion, respectively. Their molecular assembly behavior has been evaluated by calorimetry, H-1 NMR, X-ray crystallography and STM images, revealing that the molecular assembly behavior of 2 in the solid state can be controlled by the stepwise sandwiching complexation with the cation.