What is the Difference Between Clathrate and Inclusion Compound?

The main difference between clathrate and inclusion compounds lies in the way they trap or contain guest molecules. Here is a comparison of the two types of compounds:

Clathrate Compounds:

• Consist of a lattice that traps or contains molecules, with most clathrate compounds being polymeric.
• The guest molecule is in a cage formed by the host molecule, which can be inorganic or organic.
• The framework can be composed of cavities such as dodecahedral, tetrakaidecahedral, and hexakaidecahedral cavities.
• Clathrates can be divided into two categories: clathrate hydrates and inorganic clathrates.

Inclusion Compounds:

• Consist of one chemical compound as the host with a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter.
• Inclusion compounds are chemical complexes, and the host-guest relationship is not limited to three-dimensional cages.
• Examples of inclusion compounds include channel complexes and clathrate complexes.

In summary, clathrate compounds are a type of inclusion compound where the guest molecule is trapped or contained within a cage-like structure formed by the host molecule's lattice. In contrast, inclusion compounds have a host molecule with a cavity into which a guest molecule can enter, but the relationship between the host and guest molecules is not limited to three-dimensional cages.

Comparative Table: Clathrate vs Inclusion Compound

Clathrate and inclusion compounds are both types of host-guest complexes, but they differ in the way they interact with guest molecules. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between clathrate and inclusion compounds:

In summary, clathrate compounds can trap or contain molecules within their lattice structure, while inclusion compounds host a cavity into which guest molecules can enter.