Tripodal pyrrolotetrathiafulvalene receptors for recognition of electron-deficient molecular guests

We report the synthesis of tripodal receptors with monopyrrolo-tetrathiafulvalene arms 1a,b, based on 1,3,5-substituted 2,4,6-triethylbenzene scaffold. The three converging pyrrolotetrathiafulvalene groups form an electron rich cone-shaped binding site. Molecular hosts 1a,b are capable of binding neutral electron deficient guests in solution, as well as positively charged pyridinium species in the gas phase.