Solid-state Russian doll-like capsules based on a triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host with paraquat derivative and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Complexation between a triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host and paraquat derivative and different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the solid state was investigated in detail. It was found that through multiple pi-pi, C-H center dot center dot center dot pi and C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonding interactions, four new kinds of quaternary complexes with Russian doll-like capsule structures in different complexation modes can be obtained. Furthermore, the complexes could self-assemble into linear supramolecular arrays, and 2D grid-like structures.