Pyridinium CH⋯anion and π-stacking interactions in modular tripodal anion binding hosts: ATP binding and solid-state chiral induction

The preparation of two new tripodal "pinwheel" type anion hosts based on a triethylbenzene core and bipyridinium or ethylnicotinium arms is reported. The new materials bind anions via CH...anion interactions. Complexes with Br(-) and PF(6)(-) have been characterised by X-ray crystallography as both solvates in a pure form. In the bipyridinium host CH...F interactions to PF(6)(-) induce a chiral C(3) symmetric conformation that is disrupted in the hydrate. The compound is also selective for ATP(2-) in aqueous acetonitrile.