The Host-Guest Chemistry of Proflavine with Cucurbit[6,7,8]urils

The binding of the polyaromatic guest, 3,6-diaminoacridine (Proflavine) to cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) where n = 6, 7 and 8 has been studied by fluorescence spectrophotometry and binding constants determined using a least squares fitting method. Titration of CB[8] into a solution of Proflavine results in a 95% decrease in fluorescence up to a CB[8] to Proflavine ratio of 2:1. From the induced fluorescence spectra a binding constant of 1.9 × 10⁷ M^? 1 was determined. When Proflavine is titrated into a solution of CB[8] a similar binding constant is calculated (1.3 × 10⁷ M^? 1). Titration of CB[6] into a solution of Proflavine yields a decrease in fluorescence of 18–20%, but no binding is observed beyond what is seen within experimental error. Finally, titration of CB[7] into a solution of Proflavine results in an increase in fluorescence (32%) and a blue-shift of the emission wavelength from 509 nm to 485 nm. From the induced fluorescence spectra a binding constant of 1.65 × 10⁷ M^? 1 was determined. From ¹H NMR it appears that the decrease in fluorescence for Proflavine with CB[6] and CB[8] is due to collisional quenching, whereas the increase in fluorescence with CB[7] may be due to rotational restriction.     

Binding of a neutral guest to cucurbiturils: photophysics,thermodynamics and molecular modelling

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques were used to study the thermodynamics of binding of a neutral polarity-sensitive guest, the methyl 2-naphthalenecarboxylate (2MN), with three cucurbiturils (CBn; n = 6, 7 and 8) in water. Association constants (K) were obtained from nonlinear regression analysis of the fluorescence intensity against [CB] in the 5–45°C range. 2MN complexed with CB7 exhibited a 1:1 stoichiometry (K ≈ 10³ M^? 1 at 25°C); however, it hardly did with CB6 (K < 10 M^? 1) and it did not with the larger CB8 macrocyclic ring. The (1:1) 2MN:CB7 complexation process was accompanied by a small unfavourable enthalpy change and was, therefore, entropically governed. Molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations in the presence of water were also used to study the geometry of the complexes formed and the driving forces responsible for their formation. The results were compared with those previously obtained for the complexation of the same guest, 2MN, with natural α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins.     

Absolute and relative binding affinity of cucurbit[7]uril towards a series of cationic guests

We determined the relative binding constants (K_rel) for guests 1–19 towards cucurbit[7]uril by ¹H NMR competition experiments in 100 mM Na₃PO₄-buffered D₂O. In these experiments, we use guest 11 as the reference guest because of its strong binding towards CB[7] and its advantageous spectroscopic properties (e.g. slow exchange on NMR timescale and distinct resonances for key protons). To convert the determined K_rel values to absolute binding constants, we performed a direct UV–vis titration of 1 with CB[7] to determine K_a for CB[7]√1. The trends in the determined values of K_rel and K_a are discussed with respect to the importance of the concentration of metal ions in the buffer, the influence of hydroxyl groups located at the portals or inside the CB[7] cavity, geometry of the guest (e.g. regioisomers), the number of guest C atoms and secondary electrostatic interactions.     

A Comparative Study of Complexation of β-Cyclodextrin,Calix[4]arenesulfonate and Cucurbit[7]uril with Dye Guests: Fluorescence Behavior and Binding Ability

The complexation behaviors of acridine red (AR), neutral red (NR) and rhodamine B (RhB) dye guest molecules by three kinds of supramolecular hosts, including β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), calix[4]arene tetrasulfonate (C4AS) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), have been investigated by means of fluorescence spectra in aqueous citrate buffer solution (pH 6.0). The results obtained show that the three hosts, possessing different types of cavity, lead to various complexation-induced fluorescence of dye guests, and present different binding ability and molecular selectivity. The complexation stability constants decrease in the order of NR > AR > RhB for C4AS and CB[7] hosts, while in the order of RhB > AR > NR for β-CD host. Particularly, CB[7] displays the strongest binding ability with NR (K _S = 33300 M^? 1), and provides the molecular selectivity of 4.8 for NR/AR pairs. Although the binding ability of C4AS for present dye guests is weaker than CB[7], but the molecular selectivity of the two hosts are nearly equivalent. β-CD shows stronger binding ability with RhB (K _S = 5880 M^? 1) as comparison with CB[7] and C4AS. Furthermore, the solvent effects and salt effects during the course of complexation have also been investigated.     

Host–guest interaction of hemicucurbiturils with phenazine hydrochloride salt

The host–guest interactions between phenazine hydrochloride salt (PheH⁺) and hemicucurbit[n]uril (n = 6 or 12) (HemiQ[6 or 12]) have been studied by ¹H NMR, UV–vis, IR, mass spectrometry (MS) and quantum chemistry. In ¹H NMR spectra, the broadening of proton resonances of the hosts suggests the interactions of PheH⁺ with HemiQs. The quantitative stabilities of the host–guest systems have been obtained by UV–vis titration experiments, that is, the stoichiometric interactions of PheH⁺ with HemiQ[6] have been observed with an association constant of K_a = (2.5 ± 1.2) × 10⁶ L mol^? 1, while the 2:1 ratio complexes of PheH⁺ with HemiQ[12] are formed with stepwise association constants of K₁ = (9.2 ± 2.8) × 10⁴ L mol^? 1 and K₂ = (6.4 ± 0.9) × 10⁵ L mol^? 1, respectively, which induce a total association constant of K_a = 5.9 × 10¹⁰ L² mol^? 2. Both the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes have been detected by MS. Quantum chemistry calculations have been used to understand the static structures and thermodynamic stabilities of the supramolecular assemblies.     

Acyclic cucurbituril congener binds to local anaesthetics

The recognition properties of acyclic cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) congener 1 towards seven local anaesthetic drugs (2–8) are reported. Job plots constructed from ¹H NMR experiments confirm the 1:1 host:guest nature of these complexes, whereas the changes in chemical shift observed upon complex formation (Δδ values) provide information about the geometry of the host–guest complexes. For complexes between host 1 and guests 2–5 and 8, a single geometry was preferred, whereas for guests 6 and 7 a mixture of two diastereomeric complexes was indicated. The K _a values for complexes between 1 and 2–8 fall in the range of 10³–10⁸ M^? 1 as determined by UV–vis and ¹H NMR competition experiments. The results further establish that acyclic CB[n]-type receptor 1 is preorganised into the C-shape required for binding and that its aromatic o-xylylene walls endow it with a potency towards aromatic ammonium ions. The K _a values reported in this paper constitute a blind data-set used in the SAMPL3 challenge aimed at testing computational methods relevant to protein√ligand systems. The work thus highlights the great potential of CB[n] receptors as model systems to promote synergy between the supramolecular and computational chemistry communities.     

Effect of cucurbit[n]urils on tropicamide and potential application in ocular drug delivery

The supramolecular interactions of the ocular drug tropicamide (TR) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) were investigated in aqueous solutions by using ¹H NMR, ESI-MS and UV–vis spectroscopic techniques. The results indicate a 1:1 binding stoichiometry of TR with CB7 and CB8. The binding constants of TR in its protonated form were higher (e.g. K = 4 × 10⁶ M^? 1 with CB8) than in its neutral form (e.g. K = 1.4 × 10⁴ M^? 1 with CB8), which led to a complexation-induced increase in its pK _a value of ca. 0.5 and 2 units with CB7 and CB8, respectively. In the presence of about 1% (w/v) CB8, the ionisation degree of 0.1% (w/v) TR was increased from 2% to 62% at neutral pH. The increase in the pK _a value and thus stabilisation of the protonated TR species at neutral pH is discussed in the context of supramolecular drug delivery of ophthalmologic drugs.     

Encapsulation of a β-carboline in cucurbit[7]uril

Inclusion of a biological photosensitizer and prototype of β-carbolines, norharmane (NHM), into the cavity of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) has been investigated for the first time, by using ¹H NMR and UV–visible spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations. Protonated NHM forms a very stable host–guest complex with CB[7] in aqueous solution, with a binding constant of (9.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁴ M^?1. The encapsulation of NHM into CB[7] has driven the prototropic equilibrium of NHM to protonated NHM (NHMH⁺) at neutral pH. A pH titration for the host–guest complex revealed a moderate shift of the acid–base equilibrium in the ground-state (from 7.2 to 7.9), which may be caused by the low polarity microenvironment of the CB[7] cavity. The CB[7] provides a binding pocket for the hydrophobic molecule, and the polar, carbonyl-lined portals offering an anchoring site for the positive charge of the cationic species NHMH⁺.     

Theoretical insights into the formation, structure, and electronic properties of anticancer oxaliplatin drug and cucurbit[n]urils n = 5 to 8

Geometries, formation and electronic properties of cucurbit[n]uril-oxaliplatin n = 5–8, host-guest complexes are investigated with DFT calculations. The formation of inclusion complexes of CB[n]-oxaliplatin are facile in CB[n] n = 6–8. In the complex, the cyclohexyl group is found to be deep inside the cavity, with the formation of a hydrogen bonding between the portal oxygen atoms and the amine nitrogen of the oxaliplatin guest. NBO analysis shows the transfer of charge from the metal center to the CB[7] unit and the existence of hydrogen bonding between the oxygen portal and amine nitrogen. The HOMO orbital is localized on the carboxylate group and the LUMO orbital are localized on the cucurbituril unit in CB[7]-oxaliplatin complex. The strength of the interaction determined here reflects the ability of CB[n] to act as a host for suitably oxaliplatin guests, even in aqueous solution.     

Host–guest complexes of the antituberculosis drugs pyrazinamide and isoniazid with cucurbit[7]uril

The potential use of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) as an excipient in oral formulations for improved drug physical stability or for improved drug delivery was examined with the antituberculosis drugs pyrazinamide (pyrazine-2-carboxamide) and isoniazid (isonicotinohydrazide). Both drugs form 1:1 host–guest complexes with CB[7] as determined by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and molecular modelling. Drug binding is stabilised by hydrophobic effects between the pyridine and pyrazine rings of isoniazid and pyrazinamide, respectively, to the inside cavity of the CB[7] macrocycle as well as hydrogen bonds between the hydrazide and amide groups of each drug to the CB[7] carbonyl portals. At pH 1.5, isoniazid binds CB[7] with a binding constant of 5.6 × 10⁵ M^?1, whilst pyrazinamide binds CB[7] at pH 7 with a much smaller binding constant (4.8 × 10³ M^?1). Finally, CB[7] prevents drug melting through encapsulation. Where previously pyrazinamide displays a typical melting point of 189 °C and isoniazid 171 °C, by differential scanning calorimetry, no melting or degradation at temperatures up to 280 °C is observed for either drug once bound by CB[7].     

Binding modes of cucurbit[6]uril and cucurbit[7]uril with a series of bis-pyridinium compounds

Binding behaviors of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) with a series of bis-pyridinium compounds N, N’-hexamethylenebis(1-alkyl-4-carbamoyl pyridinium bromide) (HBPB-n) (alkyl chain length, n = 6, 8 and 10) guests were investigated using ¹H-NMR, ESI–MS and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The results show that CB[6] and CB[7] can form [2]pseudorotaxanes with HBPB-n easily. When increasing the length of tail alkyl chain, the binding site of CB[6] at guest molecules changed from the tail to the middle part, while CB[7] remained located over the tail chain. As CB[6] and CB[7] were added in HBPB-8 aqueous solution, a [3]pseudorotaxane was formed by the inclusion of the internal middle site in CB[6] and the tail chain in CB[7].     

Coordination and inclusion compounds formed by addition of quinoline (Q) or isoquinoline (Iq) to a metal(II) dibenzoylmethanate (Co, Ni, Zn, Cd)

Three isomorphous series of new compounds are reported: complexes [M(DBM)₂Q₂] and [M(DBM)₂Iq₂] (M = M(II) = Co, Ni, Zn, Cd; DBM is C₆H₅COCHCOC₆H₅ ^?) and inclusion compounds [M(DBM)₂Q₂]*Q (M = Co, Zn, Cd). All the compounds comprise a trans configured octahedral complex molecule. Inclusion compounds of modified Zn and Cd DBM complexes are reported for the first time and their inclusion ability is attributed to the trans isomeric state induced by the bulky Q or Iq ligand. The TG measurements indicate the following order of thermal stability of the complexes defined by the strength of the metal–ligand bonds: Ni > Co > Cd > Zn. The inclusion compounds do not follow this trend.     

Cucurbit[7]uril⋅Guest Pair with an Attomolar Dissociation Constant

Host?guest complexes between cucurbit[7] (CB[7]) or CB[8] and diamantane diammonium ion guests 3 or 6 were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. ¹H NMR competition experiments revealed that CB[7]? 6 is among the tightest monovalent non‐covalent complexes ever reported in water with K_a=7.2×10¹⁷ M ^?1 in pure D₂O and 1.9×10¹⁵ M ^?1 in D₂O buffered with NaO₂CCD₃ (50 mM ). The crystal structure of CB[7]? 6 allowed us to identify some of the structural features responsible for the ultratight binding, including the distance between the NMe₃⁺ groups of 6 (7.78 Å), which allows it to establish 14 optimal ion‐dipole interactions with CB[7], the complementarity of the convex van der Waals surface contours of 6 with the corresponding concave surfaces of CB[7], desolvation of the C?O portals within the CB[7]? 6 complex, and the co‐linearity of the C₇ axis of CB[7] with the N⁺???N⁺ line in 6 . This work further blurs the lines of distinction between natural and synthetic receptors.     

Host–guest complexes of various cucurbit[n]urils with the hydrochloride salt of 2,4-diaminoazobenzene

The interaction products of normal cucurbit[n]urils (n = 7, 8; Q[7] Q[8]) and a sym- tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derivative (TMeQ[6]) with the hydrochloride salts of 2,4-diaminoazobenzene (g·HCl) were investigated in aqueous solution using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis established a basic interaction model in which inclusion complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 form for the TMeQ[6] and Q[7] cases, while they form with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 for the Q[8] case. Commonly, the hosts selectively bound to the phenyl moieties of the guests. Absorption spectrophotometric analysis in aqueous solution defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes at pH 3.2. Quantitatively, at this pH, complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1—those with smaller hosts TMeQ[6] and Q[7]—formed with logK values between 6 and 7. That with host Q[8] and a host:guest ratio of 1:2 formed with a logK value of 10.8. Single crystal X-ray structures of the inclusion complexes TMeQ[6]–g·HCl and Q[8]–g·HCl showed the phenyl moiety of the guest inserted into the host cavity. This result supports the solution-based ¹H NMR spectroscopic study.     

Cucurbituril‐Modulated Supramolecular Assemblies: From Cyclic Oligomers to Linear Polymers

Employing bis(p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arenes) (bisSC4A) and N′,N′′hexamethylenebis(1‐methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium) (HBV⁴⁺) as monomer building blocks, the assembly morphologies can be modulated by cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) (n=7, 8), achieving the interesting topological conversion from cyclic oligomers to linear polymers. The binary supramolecular assembly fabricated by HBV⁴⁺ and bisSC4A units, forms an oligomeric structure, which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) experiments. The ternary supramolecular polymer participated by CB[8] is constructed on the basis of host–guest interactions by bisSC4A and the [2]pseudorotaxane HBV⁴⁺@CB[8], which is characterized by means of AFM, DLS, NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV/Vis spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. CB[n] plays vital roles in rigidifying the conformation of HBV⁴⁺, and reinforcing the host–guest inclusion of bisSC4A with HBV⁴⁺, which prompts the formation of a linear polymer. Moreover, the CB[8]‐participated ternary assembly could disassemble into the molecular loop HBV²⁺@CB[8] and free bisSC4A after reduction of HBV⁴⁺ to HBV²⁺, whereas the CB[7]‐based assembly remained unchanged after the reduction. CB[8] not only controlled the topological conversion of the supramolecular assemblies, but also improved the redox‐responsive assembly/disassembly property practically.     

Cavity diameter and height of cyclodextrins and cucurbit[n]urils from the molecular electrostatic potential topography

Understanding the interactions of cyclodextrins (CD) and cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) hosts with a variety of guest molecules following their encapsulation within the cavity of these macrocycles have become increasingly important in the recent years. The electronic charge distribution and the cavity dimension are some of the key factors those govern their interactions with cations or neutral guests. In the present work the molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) topography has been utilized to obtain the ‘effective’ cavity diameter and height of CB[n] (n = 6–8) homologues and 8 conformers each of α-, β- and γ-CD. It has been shown that the shape of CD cavity be it cone- or barrel-like stems from the hydrogen bonding patterns within primary hydroxyl groups. The width of CB[7] is comparable to the β-CD conformer that possesses either O₆H–O₅′ or intraglucose O₆H–O₅ interactions. The cavity diameters of α- and γ-CD are predicted to be respectively, 1.0 and 1.5 Å larger than CB[6] and CB[8] hosts. MESP topography reveals that the cavities of CB[n] are less hydrophilic with largely hydrophilic portals as compared to CD hosts. Cremer–Pople puckering parameters were derived for all the CD conformers and CB[n]. It has been demonstrated that the clockwise and anticlockwise hydrogen bonding patterns in the lower as well as upper rims of different CD conformers are less distorted and exhibit a little deviation from the °C₃ chair conformation of α-d-glucopyranose constituting monomeric unit of CD.     

Cucurbit[7]uril: A High‐Affinity Host for Encapsulation of Amino Saccharides and Supramolecular Stabilization of Their α‐Anomers in Water

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), an uncharged and water‐soluble macrocyclic host, binds protonated amino saccharides (D ‐glucosamine, D ‐galactosamine, D ‐mannosamine and 6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐D ‐glucose) with excellent affinity (K_a=10³ to 10⁴ M ^?1). The host–guest complexation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and MALDI‐TOF mass spectral analyses. NMR analyses revealed that the amino saccharides, except D ‐mannosamine, are bound as α‐anomers within the CB[7] cavity. ITC analyses reveal that CB[7] has excellent affinity for binding amino saccharides in water. The maximum affinity was observed for D ‐galactosamine hydrochloride (K_a=1.6×10⁴ M ^?1). Such a strong affinity for any saccharide in water using a synthetic receptor is unprecedented, as is the supramolecular stabilization of an α‐anomer by the host.     

Interaction between tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril with α-furaldehyde-isonicotinyl-hydrazone hydrochloride

Interaction between tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6], host) and the hydrochloride salt of α-furaldehyde-isonicotinyl-hydrazone hydrochloride (FIHH⁺, guest) was investigated using X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystallography showed that the π–π stacking effect and hydrogen bonding resulted in the formation of a dumbbell-shaped supramolecule which contained two FIHH⁺@TMeQ[6] host–guest inclusion complexes. The host–guest interaction provided identifiable changes in the vibrational frequencies in the IR spectra. ¹H NMR spectral analysis established a similar interaction model and revealed that TMeQ[6] preferred to include the furan moiety over the pyridine moiety of the FIHH⁺ guest molecule. Absorption spectrophotometric analysis suggested that the host and guest interact in a ratio of 1:1 with a stability constant K _s = (3.52 ± 0.74) × 10⁶ l mol^? 1.pH titration confirmed that the host–guest interaction led to a clear change in the protonation constant of the title guest. Quantum chemical calculations were used to determine the possible mechanism of formation of the dumbbell-shaped complex.     

Host–guest complexes of some cucurbit[n]urils with the hydrochloride salts of some imidazole derivatives

Interaction between the normal cucurbit[n]urils (n = 6,7,8; Q[6], Q[7], Q[8]) and a sym-tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derivative (TMeQ[6]) with the hydrochloride salts of some imidazole derivatives N-(4-hydroxylphenyl)imidazole (g1), N-(4-aminophenyl)imidazole (g2), 2-phenylimidazole (g3) in aqueous solution was investigated by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as by using a single crystal X-ray diffraction determination. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis established a basic interaction model in which inclusion complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 forms for the Q[6]s and Q[7] cases, while with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 form for the Q[8] cases. It was common that the hosts selectively bound the phenyl moiety of the guests. Absorption spectrophotometric and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis in aqueous solution defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes at pH 5.8 with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 form quantitatively as logK values between 4 and 5 for the smaller hosts Q[6 or 7]s, while with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 form quantitatively as logK values between 11 and 12 for the host Q[8]. Two single crystal X-ray structures of the inclusion complexes TMeQ[6]-g2 · HCl and TMeQ[6]-g3 · HCl showed the phenyl moiety of these two guests inserted into the host cavity, which supported particularly the ¹H NMR spectroscopic study in solution.     

Formation of aqua and tetraammine Cu(II) complexes inside the cavities of cucurbit[6,8]urils: A DFT forecast

Results of DFT calculations of the structure and thermodynamics of formation of aqua and tetraammine Cu(II) complexes inside CB[n] (n = 6,8) are presented in this study. Formation thermodynamics of the complexes in the cavitands was evaluated by taking into account the most probable number of water molecules inside CB[n]. In this methodology, the complexation was first considered as a substitution reaction in which the guest complex displaces partially or completely the water molecules that are located inside the cavity. The water molecules present in the cavitand were shown to play an important role in the fixation of the guest complex inside the cavity due to the hydrogen bonds with the oxygen portals. The hydration of Cu(II) ion inside CB[6] leads to the formation of an inclusion compound with the formula {[Cu(H₂O)₄]²⁺·2H₂O}@CB[6] while in CB[8] {[Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺·4H₂O}@CB[8] is formed. For the binding of tetraammine Cu(II) complex, CB[8] was determined to be a significantly more suitable “container” than CB[6]. Both a direct embedding of this complex into the CB[8] and another mechanism in which ammonia molecules replace the water molecules in the Cu(II) aqua complex, preexisting in CB[8] were determined to be thermodynamically possible. Both these lead to the formation of the resultant inclusion compound described by the formula {[Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺·4H₂O}@CB[8].