Co-conformational isomerism in a neutral ion-paired supramolecular system.

Two different counter-ion-free host-guest complexes have been prepared and isolated. These compounds were formed from two equally and opposite doubly-charged species, the viologen guests 1 a(2+) and 1 b(2+) and the anti-disulfodibenzo[24]crown-8 [DSDB24C8](2-) host, which gave rise to the 1:1 neutral complexes [1 a⋅DSDB24C8] and [1 b⋅DSDB24C8]. These species are held together by hydrogen bonding and π stacking, as well as strong electrostatic interactions.