Constitutional Isomers of Pentahydroxy-Functionalized Pillar[5]arenes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structures

We herein report the preparation of constitutional isomers of pentahydroxy-functionalized pillar[5]­arenes via the deprotection of their benzylated derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation. The structures of the obtained isomers were then established using single crystal X-ray diffraction. We also found that the yield distribution of the different constitutional isomers was dependent on the nature of the substitution, as revealed by HPLC analysis of the crude mixture. Finally, further characterization of the separated constitutional isomers indicated that they possess different melting points, NMR spectra, crystal structures, and stacking patterns in the solid state.