What is the Difference Between Clathrate and Inclusion Compound

The key difference between clathrate and inclusion compound is that clathrate compounds can trap or contain molecules, whereas inclusion compounds can host a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter.

Clathrate compounds are types of chemical compounds that contain lattices that can trap or contain molecules. Inclusion compounds are chemical complexes having one chemical compound as the host with a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Clathrate Compound
3. What is an Inclusion Compound
4. Relationship – Clathrate and Inclusion Compound
5. Clathrate vs Inclusion Compound in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Clathrate vs Inclusion Compound

What is a Clathrate Compound?

A clathrate compound is a type of chemical compound that contains a lattice that can trap or contain molecules. This word has the Latin meaning “with bars, latticed.” Most clathrate compounds tend to be polymeric compounds that can completely envelop the guest molecule. However, in the modern use of clathrates, we can observe host-guest complexes and inclusion compounds.

According to the definition given by the IUPAC, clathrate compounds are a type of inclusion compounds having the ability to hold a guest molecule in a cage that is formed by the host molecule or by a lattice of host molecules. There are many molecular hosts we can use this name for – for example, calixarenes and cyclodextrins. Moreover, some inorganic polymers such as zeolites are also clathrate compounds.

We can observe that most clathrate compounds derive from organic hydrogen bond frameworks, which are prepared from the molecules that can self-associate through multiple hydrogen-binding interactions.

What is an Inclusion Compound?

Inclusion compounds are chemical complexes having one chemical compound as the host with a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter. There is an interaction between the host molecule and the guest molecule, which involves a purely Van der Waals bonding.

The most common examples for inclusion compounds include calixarenes that are related to formaldehyde-arene condensates, which are a class of hosts that form inclusion compounds. Moreover, cyclodextrins are also well-established host molecules for the preparation of inclusion compounds.

Typically, cryptands and crown ethers do not create any inclusion complexes. This is because the guest is bound by forces that are stronger than Van der Waals bonding. However, if the guest is enclosed in all the sides, similar to a “trapping” situation, then we can call this compound a clathrate.

What is the Relationship Between Clathrate and Inclusion Compound?

• Clathrate compounds are a type of inclusion compounds.

What is the Difference Between Clathrate and Inclusion Compound?

Clathrate compounds are a type of chemical compound that contains a lattice that can trap or contain molecules. Inclusion compounds are chemical complexes having one chemical compound as the host with a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter. The key difference between clathrate and inclusion compounds is that clathrate compounds can trap or contain molecules, whereas inclusion compounds can host a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter.

The following table summarizes the difference between clathrate and inclusion compound.

Summary – Clathrate vs Inclusion Compound

Clathrate compounds are a type of inclusion compounds. The key difference between clathrate and inclusion compound is that clathrate compounds can trap or contain molecules, whereas inclusion compounds can host a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter.

Reference:

1. Tanii, Tadaaki et al. Low Temperature Heat Storage Type (Use Of Clathrate). Science Direct. 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Xenon-paraquinol (JAMKEN) clathrate” By Smokefoot – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cucurbit-6-uril ActaCrystallB-Stru 1984 382” By M stone at the English-language Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia