Molecular and supramolecular diversity displayed by dienone-ether macrocycles

Dienone-ether macrocycles (DEMs) represent a new class of supramolecular building blocks for the preparation of crystalline materials with potentially diverse applications. A modular, building block approach to the synthesis employs a range of linked aryl aldehydes and cyclic ketones. Consequently, the structures of DEMs can be tuned with regard to size and shape and the incorporation of functional elements for specific purposes. Fourteen examples are presented, illustrating the diversity of DEMs accessible by this approach. The effect of molecular structure on conformation, supramolecular inclusion, and crystal packing is discussed.