Mechanism of the conversion of inverted CB[6] to CB[6

Inverted cucurbit[n]urils (iCB[n]) form as intermediates during the synthesis of cucurbit[n]urils from glycoluril and formaldehyde in HCl (85 degrees C). Product resubmission experiments establish that the diastereomeric iCB[6] and iCB[7] are kinetic products that are less stable thermodynamically than CB[6] or CB[7] (>2.8 kcal mol(-1)). When iCB[6] or iCB[7] is heated under aqueous acidic conditions, a preference for ring contraction is noted in the formation of CB[5] and CB[6], respectively. Interestingly, under anhydrous acidic conditions ring size is preserved with iCB[6] delivering CB[6] cleanly. To establish the intramolecular nature of the iCB[6] to CB[6] conversion under anhydrous, but not aqueous, acidic conditions we performed crossover experiments involving mixtures of iCB[6] and its (13)C=O labeled isotopomer (13)C(12)-iCB[6]. An unusual diastereomeric CB[6] with a M?bius geometry (13) is proposed as a mechanistic intermediate in the conversion of iCB[6] to CB[6] under anhydrous acidic conditions. The improved mechanistic understanding provided by this study suggests improved routes to CB[n]-type compounds.     

Cucurbit[n]uril analogues: synthetic and mechanistic studies

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of cucurbit[n]uril analogues (18, 19, (+/-)-20, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37) is presented. These CB[5], CB[6], and CB[7] analogues all contain bis(phthalhydrazide) walls that are incorporated into the macrocycle. The tailor-made synthesis of these CB[n] analogues proceeds by the condensation of the appropriate bis(electrophile) (4, 7, or 9) with bis(phthalhydrazide) (17), which delivers the CB[6] and CB[7] analogues in good yield, whereas the CB[5] analogue is formed in low yield. To improve the solubility characteristics of the CB[n] analogues for recognition studies in water or organic solution, the CO2Et groups were transformed to CO2H and CO2(CH2)9CH3 groups. On the basis of the results of product resubmission experiments, we conclude that these macrocycles are kinetic products. To help rationalize the good yields obtained in the CB[6] and CB[7] analogue macrocyclization reactions, we performed mechanistic studies of model methylene bridged glycoluril dimers, which suggest an intramolecular isomerization during CB[n] analogue formation.     

Cucurbit[n]uril formation proceeds by step-growth cyclo-oligomerization

In contrast to the high yield formation of cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) from a 1:2 ratio of glycoluril to formaldehyde, the condensation of glycoluril with less than 2 equiv of formaldehyde delivers a reaction mixture that contains glycoluril oligomers (2-6) and CB[n] compounds that lack one or more methylene bridges known as nor-seco-cucurbit[n]urils (ns-CB[n]). In this paper we report the chromatographic purification of C-shaped glycoluril oligomers (dimer-hexamer), their characterization in solution, and their X-ray crystal structures. Quite interestingly, despite being acyclic glycoluril pentamer 5 and hexamer 6 retain the ability to bind to guests typical of CB[6] but are also able to expand their cavity to accommodate larger guests like cationic adamantane derivatives. We performed product resubmission experiments with glycoluril oligomers 2-6 and found preferences for the formation of specific ring sizes during CB[n] formation. A comprehensive mechanistic scheme is proposed that accounts for the observed formation of 2-6 and ns-CB[n]. Overall, the experiments establish that a step-growth cyclo-oligomerization process operates during CB[n] formation.     

Theoretical investigation on electronic structure and stability of some inverted cucurbiturils by density functional theory

Structure and stability of diastereoisomers of cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n = 5–10]), the inverted CB[n]s, were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) computations. All the inverted CB[n]s were less stable than their normal CB[n]s and the mono-inverted ones with one inverted glycoluril unit in their structures were more stable than their doubly-inverted isomers. Relative change in dipole moments and molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) were discussed with the deformation in geometric structure and charge distribution of the normal and inverted CB[n]s.     

Synthesis of disubstituted cucurbit[6]uril and its rotaxane derivative

Synthesis of diphenyl cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) has been achieved via co-oligomerization of diphenyl glycoluril and unsubstituted glycoluril. The unsymmetrically substituted CB[6], Ph(2)CB[6], was further converted to a rotaxane incorporating bis(dinitrophenyl)spermine. [reaction: see text]     

Diastereoselective formation of glycoluril dimers: isomerization mechanism and implications for cucurbit[n]uril synthesis

Cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) is a macrocyclic compound, prepared in one pot from glycoluril and formaldehyde, whose molecular recognition properties have made it the object of intense study. Studies of the mechanism of CB[n] formation, which might provide insights that allow the tailor-made synthesis of CB[n] homologues and derivatives, have been hampered by the complex structure of CB[n]. By reducing the complexity of the reaction to the formation of S-shaped (12S-18S) and C-shaped (12C-18C) methylene bridged glycoluril dimers, we have been able to probe the fundamental steps of the mechanism of CB[n] synthesis to a level that has not been possible previously. For example, we present strong evidence that the mechanism of CB[n] synthesis proceeds via the intermediacy of both S-shaped and C-shaped dimers. The first experimental determination of the relative free energies of the S-shaped and C-shaped dimers indicates a thermodynamic preference (1.55-3.25 kcal mol(-)(1)) for the C-shaped diastereomer. This thermodynamic preference is not because of self-association, solvation, or template effects. Furthermore, labeling experiments have allowed us to elucidate the mechanism of this acid-catalyzed equilibrium between the S-shaped and C-shaped diastereomers. The equilibration is an intramolecular process that proceeds with high diastereoselectivity and retention of configuration. On the basis of the broad implications of these results for CB[n] synthesis, we suggest new synthetic strategies that may allow for the improved preparation of CB[n] (n > 8) and CB[n] derivatives from functionalized glycolurils.     

Functionalized cucurbiturils and their applications

Cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n], n = 5-10), a new family of molecular hosts comprising n glycoluril units, have gained much attention in the new millennium for their exceptional molecular recognition ability. The CB homologues have brought dynamism to CB chemistry, as witnessed by the heightened interest in the field for the last several years. Compared to the chemistry of cyclodextrins and calixarenes, however, that of CB[n] has developed slowly until recently, which may be attributed mainly to their poor solubility in common solvents, and inability to functionalize these molecules. The direct functionalization method of CB[n] propelled CB chemistry to a new height as this new method not only solved the solubility problem but also opened up the gateway to the generation of tailor-made CB[n] derivatives. The functionalization of CB[n] led us to investigate numerous applications including artificial ion channels, vesicles, stationary phases in chromatography, ISEs, polymers, nanomaterials, and many others. This tutorial review describes the recent advances and challenges in the functionalization of CBs along with the applications of functionalized CBs.     

The cucurbit[n]uril family: prime components for self-sorting systems

We determined the values of Ka for a wide range of host-guest complexes of cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]), where n = 6-8, using 1H NMR competition experiments referenced to absolute binding constants measured by UV/vis titration. We find that the larger homologues--CB[7] and CB[8]--individually maintain the size, shape, and functional group selectivity that typifies the recognition behavior of CB[6]. The cavity of CB[7] is found to effectively host trimethylsilyl groups. Remarkably, the values of Ka for the interaction of CB[7] with adamantane derivatives 22-24 exceeds 10(12) M(-1)! The high levels of selectivity observed for each CB[n] individually is also observed for the CB[n] family collectively. That is, the selectivities of CB[6], CB[7], and CB[8] toward a common guest can be remarkably large. For example, guests 1, 3, and 11 prefer CB[8] relative to CB[7] by factors greater than 10(7), 10(6), and 3000, respectively. Conversely, guests 23 and 24 prefer CB[7] relative to CB[8] by factors greater than 5100 and 990, respectively. The high levels of selectivity observed individually and collectively for the CB[n] family renders them prime components for the preparation of functional biomimetic self-sorting systems.     

Bromination of N-phenyloxypropyl-N'-ethyl-4,4'-bipyridium in cucurbit[8]uril molecular reactor

CB[n](n=6-8) is a family of synthetic macrocyclic host molecules composed of n glycoluril units, which can be employed as molecular reactor. N-phenyloxypropyl-N'-ethyl-4,4'-bipyridium (1) was designed to form a host-guest inclusion complex with CB[n](n=6-8), subsequently, the bromination reaction of 1 and its corresponding inclusion complexes was investigated in this work. In the case of 1/CB[8], the folded including mode is quite helpful to acquire 1-bormination product completely through intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and CB[8] can provide a safe bromination environment for 1.     

Recognition properties of acyclic glycoluril oligomers

The fragmentation reaction of bis-nor-seco-CB[10] with 3,5-dimethylphenol (3) delivers methylene bridged glycoluril pentamer 5 in 81% yield. The host-guest recognition properties of the previously known tetramer 4 and those of pentamer 5 and hexamer 6 toward cationic guests in water are used to delineate some important features of the binding of acyclic CB[n]-type receptors.     

Acyclic congener of cucurbituril: synthesis and recognition properties

The cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family of macrocycles occupies a prominent role in molecular recognition and self-assembly studies despite the current inability to access specific cucurbit[n]uril homologues, derivatives, and analogues by straightforward tailor-made synthetic procedures. In this paper, we explore an approach that circumvents the challenges posed by the tailor-made synthesis of macrocyclic CB[n] by preparing 1, which functions as an acyclic CB[6] congener. The o-xylylene connections to the glycoluril rings preorganize 1 into the (a,a,a,a)-1 conformation required for binding and reduce its tendency to undergo self-association. We surveyed the binding properties of 1 toward 16 amines (K(a) 相似文献   

The cucurbit[n]uril family

In 1981, the macrocyclic methylene-bridged glycoluril hexamer (CB[6]) was dubbed "cucurbituril" by Mock and co-workers because of its resemblance to the most prominent member of the cucurbitaceae family of plants--the pumpkin. In the intervening years, the fundamental binding properties of CB[6]-high affinity, highly selective, and constrictive binding interactions--have been delineated by the pioneering work of the research groups of Mock, Kim, and Buschmann, and has led to their applications in waste-water remediation, as artificial enzymes, and as molecular switches. More recently, the cucurbit[n]uril family has grown to include homologues (CB[5]-CB[10]), derivatives, congeners, and analogues whose sizes span and exceed the range available with the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins. Their shapes, solubility, and chemical functionality may now be tailored by synthetic chemistry to play a central role in molecular recognition, self-assembly, and nanotechnology. This Review focuses on the synthesis, recognition properties, and applications of these unique macrocycles.     

Nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril exhibits homotropic allosterism

The condensation of glycoluril and formaldehyde in concentrated HCl at 50 degrees C delivers nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril (ns-CB [10]). 1H NMR and X-ray crystallographic evidence indicates that the two cavities of ns-CB[10] accommodate guests that are typically bound within CB[6] or CB[7]. Several interesting types of selectivity are possible within these ternary complexes-top/center isomerism, diastereoselective complexation of chiral (but racemic) guest pairs, and guest size controlled homotropic allosterism.     

Water structuring inside the cavities of cucurbit[n]urils (n = 5–8): a quantum-chemical forecast

In this work we report findings of the quantum-chemical examination of water structuring in the cavities of cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]), n?=?5–8 obtained within the density functional theory. The thermodynamically most stable structures of inclusion compounds (H₂O)_m@CB[n] were determined for different numbers m of H₂O molecules inside the cavities. From the viewpoint of thermodynamics, the most probable numbers m of water molecules in the CB[n] homologues are the following: m?=?2 for CB[5], m?=?4 for CB[6], m?=?8 for CB[7] and m?=?10 for CB[8]. For the case of CB[6] synthesized in aqueous solution, we compared its experimental IR spectrum with that calculated quantum-chemically for the model inclusion systems (H₂O)_m@CB[6] where m ranges from 1 to 6. The best agreement between the experimental and theoretical spectra was observed for (H₂O)₄@CB[6], in complete agreement with the conclusion made based on the thermodynamic estimations. Our results are also in good agreement with other available estimates of the most probable number of water molecules in CB[n].     

水-盐酸两步法分离瓜环混合物

根据各元瓜环在水和盐酸两种溶剂中溶解度的不同, 提出了一种通过水-盐酸两步分离混合瓜环的方法. 探讨了溶剂用量、盐酸浓度等因素对分离效果的影响, 确定了最佳的分离工艺条件, 使CB[5], CB[6], CB[7]和CB[8]的分离产率分别达到78.9%, 92.0%, 88.0%和75.0%. 分离得到的瓜环单体经核磁共振检测, 纯度在95%以上, 其中CB[5]的纯度达到98%. 研究结果表明, 本工艺是一种简单有效的分离混合瓜环的方法.     

Cucurbit[n]uril analogues

[structure: see text] Cucurbits come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. We present a building block approach that allows the tailor-made synthesis of CB[5], CB[6], and CB[7] analogues whose sizes, shapes, and colors differ from those of the known CB[n].     

葫[n]环联脲(n=5,6,7,8)与两种重氮氟硼酸盐的包合作用研究

用核磁共振氢谱和紫外-可见光谱滴定法考察了葫[n]环联脲(Cucurbit[n]uril,n=5,6,7,8)与对甲苯重氮氟硼酸盐和4,4′-联苯二重氮氟硼酸盐的配位情况,并用曲线拟合求得形成的包结配合物的稳定常数.结果表明,不同空腔的葫[n]环联脲对不同尺寸的重氮氟硼酸盐具有很显著的选择性包结作用.在相同条件下,与葫[6]环联脲相比,葫[7]环联脲更易于容纳苯环.同时,随着酸性的增强,葫[n]环联脲上的脲羰基质子化程度加大,使得其配位能力有所减弱.     

瓜环[n](n=6～8)与盐酸丁咯地尔的相互作用

利用1HNMR技术、电喷雾质谱、红外光谱及紫外吸收光谱等手段研究了瓜环[n](n=6～8)与盐酸丁咯地尔的相互作用.实验结果表明,盐酸丁咯地尔与3种瓜环具有不同的相互作用,主-客体配合物的作用模式随着瓜环大小的不同而各不相同.其中,瓜环[6]与盐酸丁咯地尔的相互作用非常弱,而瓜环[7]和瓜环[8]则都将盐酸丁咯地尔分子中的吡咯环及其相邻的2个碳全部包结进去,形成了包结比为1:1的对称包结配合物.通过紫外吸收光谱法计算得到瓜环[7]和瓜环[8]与盐酸丁咯地尔分子的包结常数在102～103L/mol范围内,说明瓜环对盐酸丁咯地尔具有潜在的药物缓释作用.     

Methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers: synthetic methods

Methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers are the fundamental building blocks of cucurbituril (CB[6]), its homologues (CB[n]), and its derivatives. This paper describes three complementary methods for the synthesis of C- and S-shaped methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers (29-34 and 37-44). For this purpose, we prepared glycoluril derivatives (1a-d) bearing diverse functionalities on their convex face. These glycoluril derivatives were alkylated under basic conditions (DMSO, t-BuOK) with 1,2-bis(halomethyl)aromatics 6-15 to yield 4a-d and 16-24, which contain a single aromatic o-xylylene ring and potentially nucleophilic ureidyl NH groups. Glycoluril derivatives bearing potentially electrophilic cyclic ether groups (5a-f) and 25-28 were prepared by various methods including condensation reactions in refluxing TFA containing paraformaldehyde. The condensation reactions of 4a-d and 16-24 with paraformaldehyde under anhydrous acidic conditions (PTSA, ClCH(2)CH(2)Cl, reflux) give, in most cases, the C-shaped and S-shaped methylene-bridged glycoluril in good to excellent yields. In many cases, the C-shaped compound is formed preferentially with high diastereoselectivity. Cyclic ethers 5a,d-f and 25-26 undergo highly diastereoselective dimerization reactions to yield methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers with the formal extrusion of formaldehyde. Last, it is possible to perform selective heterodimerization reactions using both cyclic ethers and glycoluril derivatives bearing ureidyl NH groups. These reactions deliver the desired C- and S-shaped heterodimers with low to moderate diastereoselectivities. This heterodimerization route is the method of choice in cases where the homodimerization reactions fail. The formation of side products (+/-)-35b and (+/-)-35d helps clarify the electronic requirements for a successful CB[n] synthesis. The X-ray structures of 30C, 38C, and 38S allow for a discussion of the structural features of this class of compounds.     

Refolding foldamers: triazene-arylene oligomers that change shape with chemical stimuli

We describe the preparation of five triazene-arylene oligomers (3, 4, 7, 8, and 11) and investigations of their folding properties in aqueous solution. These oligomers contain four 2-fold rotors and populate a conformational ensemble comprising at least 10 states. Extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies as well as X-ray crystallography establish that the presence of three members of the cucurbit[n]uril family (CB[n]), CB[10], CB[7], and CB[8], results in the selective population of the (a,a,a,a)-, (a,s,s,a)-, and (a,a,a,s)-conformers. As a result of the high affinity and highly selective binding properties of the CB[n] family, it is possible to fold a single foldamer strand (3) into the CB[8].(a,a,a,s)-3 conformer by the addition of CB[8], then unfold and refold it into the CB[7].(a,s,s,a)-3.CB[7] conformer by addition of CB[7] and 3,5-dimethylaminoadamantane (17), then unfold and refold it again into the CB[10].(a,a,a,a)-3 conformer by addition of CB[10].CB[5] and aminoadamantane (18). The transformation of CB[8].(a,a,a,s)-3 into CB[7].(a,s,s,a)-3.CB[7] proceeds through the intermediacy of CB [8].(a,a,s,a)-3.CB[7], which enhances the rate of dissociation of strand 3 from CB[8].