Comparable Inclusion and Aggregation Structures of <i>p</i>-Sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene and <i>p</i>-Sulfonatocalix[4]arene upon Complexation with Quinoline Guests

Four supramolecular complexes of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene with 8-hydroxyquinolinium (HQ+) and 8-aminoquinolinium (AQ+) guests were prepared, and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [HQ+]3.5[p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene4− + 0.5H+]·13.5H2O (1), [HQ+]4[p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene4−]·6.75H2O (2), [HQ+]2.5[p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene4− + 1.5H+]·7.75H2O (3), and [AQ+]1.25[p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene4− + 2.75H+]·9H2O (4), respectively. The results obtained show that p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene can offer different inclusion structures with a HQ+ guest from p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene, and the formation of a molecular capsule based on p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene and HQ+ is pH-dependent. Furthermore, the aggregation structures of complexes 1−4 are comparatively discussed from the viewpoint of the manner of aggregation and driving forces.