Selective binding of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons by a pillar[5]arene

The complexation behavior of unsaturated fatty hydrocarbons, i.e., 1,7-octadiyne and 1,7-octadiene, by a perethylated pillar[5]arene has been investigated, which was compared with that for saturated n-octane. It was found that the host-guest binding strength increased in accordance with the electron-negativity of the terminal carbon atom on the guests: allcyne > alkene > alkane. (C) 2013 Chun-Ju Li. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.