Cyclam as a supramolecular synthon: infinite stacked arrays to encapsulation in superanions

Cyclam crystallised from CHCl3–hexane gives infinite, hydrogen bonded assembled columns; in acidic aqueous media (pH 2) in the presence of sodium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and the dichromium(III) aqua ion, the superanion or ionic capsule [[H4(cyclam)]4+ ⊂ {(p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene4–)2}]4– crystallises as the salt of [Cr2(OH)2(H2O)8]4+.