Shape-Induced, Hexagonal, Open Frameworks: Rubidium Ion Complexed Cucurbituril

Abstract

A honeycomb structure is shown by the one-dimensional coordination polymer comprising D_6h -symmetric cucurbituril molecules and rubidium ions (see picture). The cucurbituril molecules stack atop one another and show coordination of their carbonyl groups to the rubidium ions in between. The shape and symmetry of the building blocks encourage the coordination polymer chains to be arranged in such a way as to produce an open-framework structure with large, linear, hexagonal channels.