Selective Inclusion and Separation of Isomeric and Homologous Hydrocarbons by Hydrocarbon Host Lattices

The scissor-shaped host compounds 9,9′-bianthryl 1 and 9,9′-spirobifluorene 2, which have no functional groups, are capable of entrapping other hydrocarbons in their crystal lattices with high selectivity. The X-ray structure analysis of 1·C6H6 clearly reveals that an exact fit of the guest in the host cages is achieved. The selectivity of this inclusion might open up numerous possibilities of application.