Crystal structure of tris(binol)cyclotriphosphazene. A new clathration system

International audienceThe crystal structure of inclusion compound constituted by chiral tris(binol)cyclotriphosphazene ((S,S,S)-TBP) host and o-xylene guest has been determined. It has an orthorhombic unit cell with space group P212121 (no. 19) and unit cell dimensions a = 10.9265(4) Å, b = 17.8959(8) Å, and c = 30.3964(1) Å. Guest free (S,S,S)-TBP is an amorphous material according to the literature (Chem. Eur. J. 2001, 7, 1486–1494) and crystal structure has not been reported so far. Formation of inclusion adduct with o-xylene guests acting as a molecular glue allowed to determine the structural features. (S,S,S)-TBP has a propeller-like shape with binol units considered as paddles. Naphthalene units are twisted at 51° in those paddles. Effects of this twist on spirocyclic seven-membered ring and on cyclotriphosphazene ring are discussed. © 2016 Elsevier Lt