Unique “Cradled Barbell” Complex between a Secondary Diammonium Ion and Bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10

The complexation between N,N‘-dibenzyl(m-xylylene)diammonium bis(hexafluorophosphate) (2) and bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (5) was shown to occur in solution by nuclear magnetic resonance with 1:1 stoichiometry and a K_a value of 189 ± 19 M^-1. A crystal structure of 2:5 revealed a unique 1:1 “exo” or “cradled barbell” complex, instead of the expected pseudorotaxane. This unexpected result illustrates that caution be used in interpreting the results from these types of complexes in the solution and “gas” phases on the basis of crystal structures.