Supramolecular Graft Copolymerization of a Polyester by Guest‐Selective Encapsulation of a Self‐Assembled Capsule

Repeating guest units of polyesters poly‐(R )‐ 2 were selectively encapsulated by capsule 1 (BF₄)₄ to produce supramolecular graft polymers. The encapsulation of the guest units was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The graft polymer structures were confirmed by the increase in the hydrodynamic radii and the solution viscosities of the polyesters upon complexation of the capsule. After the capsule was formed, atomic force microscopy showed extension of the polyester chains. The introduction of the graft chains onto poly‐(R )‐ 2 resulted in the main chain of the polymer having an M ‐helical morphology. The complexation of copolymers poly‐[(R )‐ 2 ‐co ‐(S )‐ 2 ] by the capsule gave rise to the unique chiral amplification known as the majority‐rules effect.     

Encapsulation‐Induced Remarkable Stability of a Hydrogen‐Bonded Heterocapsule

Remarkably enhanced stability of the self‐assembled hydrogen‐bonded heterocapsule 1?2 by the encapsulation of 1,4‐bis(1‐propynyl)benzene 3 a was found with K_a=1.14×10⁹ M ^?1 in CDCl₃ and K_a2=1.59×10⁸ M ^?2 in CD₃OD/CDCl₃ (10 % v/v) at 298 K. The formation of 3 a @( 1?2 ) was enthalpically driven (ΔH°<0 and ΔS°<0) and there was a unique inflection point in the correlation between ΔH° versus ΔS° as a function of polar solvent content. The ab initio calculations revealed that favorable guest–capsule dispersion and electrostatic interactions between the acetylenic parts (triple bonds) of 3 a and the aromatic inner space of 1?2 , as well as less structural deformation of 1?2 upon encapsulation of 3 a , play important roles in the remarkable stability of 3 a @( 1?2 ).     

A Halogen‐Bonded Dimeric Resorcinarene Capsule

Iodine (I₂) acts as a bifunctional halogen‐bond donor connecting two macrocyclic molecules of the bowl‐shaped halogen‐bond acceptor, N‐cyclohexyl ammonium resorcinarene chloride 1 , to form the dimeric capsule [(1,4‐dioxane)₃@ 1 ₂(I₂)₂]. The dimeric capsule is constructed solely through halogen bonds and has a single cavity (V=511 ų) large enough to encapsulate three 1,4‐dioxane guest molecules.     

Wide‐Ranging Host Capability of a PdII‐Linked M2L4 Molecular Capsule with an Anthracene Shell

This article reports that an M₂L₄ molecular capsule is capable of encapsulating various neutral molecules in quantitative yields. The capsule was obtained as a single product by mixing a small number of components; two Pd^II ions and four bent bispyridine ligands containing two anthracene panels. Detailed studies of the host capability of the Pd^II‐linked capsule revealed that spherical (e.g., paracyclophane, adamantanes, and fullerene C₆₀), planar (e.g., pyrenes and triphenylene), and bowl‐shaped molecules (e.g., corannulene) were encapsulated in the large spherical cavity, giving rise to 1:1 and 1:2 host–guest complexes, respectively. The volume of the encapsulated guest molecules ranged from 190 to 490 ų. Within the capsule, the planar guests adopt a stacked‐dimer structure and the bowl‐shaped guests formed an unprecedented concave‐to‐concave capsular structure, which are fully shielded by the anthracene shell. Competitive binding experiments of the capsule with a set of the planar guests established a preferential binding series for pyrenes≈phenanthrene>triphenylene. Furthermore, the capsule showed the selective formation of an unusual ternary complex in the case of triphenylene and corannulene.     

Water‐Soluble Molecular Capsules: Self‐Assembly and Binding Properties

The self‐assembly and characterization of water‐soluble calix[4]arene‐based molecular capsules ( 1?2 ) is reported. The assemblies are the result of ionic interactions between negatively charged calix[4]arenes 1 a and 1 b , functionalized at the upper rim with amino acid moieties, and a positively charged tetraamidiniumcalix[4]arene 2 . The formation of the molecular capsules is studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). A molecular docking protocol was used to identify potential guest molecules for the self‐assembled capsule 1 a?2 . Experimental guest encapsulation studies indicate that capsule 1 a?2 is an effective host for both charged (N‐methylquinuclidinium cation) and neutral molecules (6‐amino‐2‐methylquinoline) in water.     

Competitive Molecular‐/Ion‐Recognition Responsive Characteristics of Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐benzo‐12‐crown‐4‐acrylamide) Copolymers with Benzo‐12‐crown‐4 as Both Guest and Host Units

Novel dual molecular‐ and ion‐recognition responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐benzo‐12‐crown‐4‐acrylamide) (PNB₁₂C₄) linear copolymers with benzo‐12‐crown‐4 (B12C4) as both guest and host units are prepared. The copolymers exhibit highly selective sensitivities toward γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) and Na⁺. The presence of γ‐CD induces the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNB₁₂C₄ copolymer to shift to a higher value due to the formation of 1:1 γ‐CD/B12C4 host‐guest inclusion complexes, while Na⁺ causes a negative shift in LCST due to the formation of 2:1 “sandwich” B12C4/Na⁺ host‐guest complexes. Regardless of the complexation order, when γ‐CD and Na⁺ coexist with PNB₁₂C₄, competitive complexation actions of B12C4 as both guest and host units toward γ‐CD and Na⁺ finally form equilibrium 2:2:1 γ‐CD/B12C4/Na⁺ composite complexes, and the final LCST values of PNB₁₂C₄ copolymer reach almost the same level. The results provide valuable guidance for designing and applying PNB₁₂C₄‐based smart materials in various applications.

     

Inclusion of chlorophenols by 4,4′‐(cyclohexane‐1,1‐diyl)diphenol: structures and kinetics of decomposition

The structures of the inclusion compounds 4,4′‐(cyclohexane‐1,1‐diyl)diphenol–3‐chlorophenol (1/1) and 4,4′‐(cyclohexane‐1,1‐diyl)diphenol–4‐chlorophenol (1/1), both C₁₈H₂₀O₂·C₆H₅ClO, are isostructural with respect to the host molecule and are stabilized by extensive host–host, host–guest and guest–host hydrogen bonding. The packing is characterized by layers of host and guest molecules. The kinetics of thermal decomposition follow the R2 contracting‐area model, kt = [1 − (1 − α)^½], and yield activation energies of 105 (8) and 96 (8) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Triple hydrogen‐bonding block copolymers via RAFT polymerization: Synthesis,vesicle formation,and molecule‐recognition behavior

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization afforded triple hydrogen‐bonding block copolymers (PBA‐b‐PDAD) with well‐controlled molecular weight and molecular weight distributions (1.2–1.4). The complexation via specific hydrogen bonding between these block copolymers in CHCl₃ provided an unprecedented approach for the formation of spherical vesicles. Atomic force microscopy and dynamic light‐scattering measurements revealed that the resultant polymeric vesicles were about 100 nm in radius. Triple hydrogen‐bonding interactions between maleimide and PBA‐b‐PDAD resulted in the dissociation of these spherical vesicles, facilitating the guest molecule recognition. The hydrogen‐bonding interaction between maleimide and the PBA‐b‐PDAD was further confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectra. These results indicated that these vesicles of triple hydrogen‐bonding block copolymer could be a potential new vehicle for molecular recognition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1633–1638     

Frozen Dissymmetric Cavities in Resorcinarene‐Based Coordination Capsules

By introducing slight structural modifications to a D₄‐symmetric coordination capsule, we succeeded in isolating the nearly enantiopure capsules (P)‐ and (M)‐ 2 a (BF₄)₄. Chiral guest, dibenzyl 4,4′‐diacetoxy‐6,6′‐dimethyl‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐2,2′‐dicarboxylate ( 3 ) was encapsulated within the dissymmetric cavity of 2 a (BF₄)₄, resulting in a high diastereoselectivity of >99 % de. The encapsulated guest was successfully removed from the complex without racemization through precipitation of the empty capsule. CD spectra confirmed that the chirality of the capsule was maintained in THF and 1,4‐dioxane for long periods, whereas a small amount of acetonitrile accelerated racemization of the empty capsule. The activation parameters of the racemization reaction were determined in dichloromethane and 1,2‐dichloroethane, resulting in positive enthalpic contributions and large negative entropic contributions, respectively. Accordingly, the racemization fits a first‐order kinetic model. Mechanically coupled Cu⁺‐2,2′‐bipyridine coordination centers were responsible for the high‐energy barrier of racemization and led to the unique chiral memory of the dissymmetric cavity, which was turned off by the addition of acetonitrile.     

Spectroscopic and thermal characterization of the host–guest interactions between α‐, β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins and vanadocene dichloride

Host–guest interactions between α‐, β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins and vanadocene dichloride (Cp₂VCl₂) have been investigated by a combination of thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X‐ray diffraction and solid‐state and solution electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The solid‐state results demonstrated that only β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins form 1:1 inclusion complexes, while α‐cyclodextrin does not form an inclusion complex with Cp₂VCl₂. The β‐ and γ‐CD–Cp₂VCl₂ inclusion complexes exhibited anisotropic electron‐⁵¹V (I = 7/2) hyperfine coupling constants whereas the α‐CD–Cp₂VCl₂ system showed only an asymmetric peak with no anisotropic hyperfine constant. On the other hand, solution EPR spectroscopy showed that α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) may be involved in weak host–guest interactions in equilibrium with free vanadocene species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chirality‐Assisted Synthesis of a Very Large Octameric Hydrogen‐Bonded Capsule

The strategy of chirality‐assisted synthesis, which makes use of enantiomerically pure building blocks that are designed to associate in a single geometric orientation, was applied to synthesize an octameric hydrogen‐bonded capsule with a cavity volume of 2300 ų. This cube‐shaped capsule forms even host–guest complexes with tetraalkylammonium ions, and accommodates the large tetrahexadecylammonium cation in its cavity. The use of an enantiopure building block was shown to be highly beneficial for capsule formation, whereas its racemate also generates a large amount of ill‐defined aggregates in solution and crystallizes as a hydrogen‐bonded network.     

Recognition of N‐Alkyl and N‐Aryl Acetamides by N‐Alkyl Ammonium Resorcinarene Chlorides

N‐Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chlorides are stabilized by an intricate array of intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds that leads to cavitand‐like structures. Depending on the upper‐rim substituents, self‐inclusion was observed in solution and in the solid state. The self‐inclusion can be disrupted at higher temperatures, whereas in the presence of small guests the self‐included dimers spontaneously reorganize to 1:1 host–guest complexes. These host compounds show an interesting ability to bind a series of N‐alkyl acetamide guests through intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the carbonyl oxygen (C?O) atoms and the amide (NH) groups of the guests, the chloride anions (Cl^?) and ammonium (NH₂⁺) cations of the hosts, and also through CH ??? π interactions between the hosts and guests. The self‐included and host–guest complexes were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR titration, and mass spectrometry.     

Adsorption behaviour of a CdII–triazole MOF for butan‐2‐one in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion: the role of hydrogen bonding and C—H…π interactions

The adsorption behaviour of the Cd^II–MOF {[Cd(L)₂(ClO₄)₂]·H₂O ( 1 ), where L is 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole, for butan‐2‐one was investigated in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion. A new host–guest system that encapsulated butan‐2‐one molecules, namely poly[[bis{μ₃‐4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}cadmium(II)] bis(perchlorate) butanone sesquisolvate], {[Cd(C₂₄H₁₈N₆)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.5C₄H₈O}_n, denoted C₄H₈O@Cd‐MOF ( 2 ), was obtained via an SCSC transformation. MOF 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2. The specific binding sites for butan‐2‐one in the host were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. N—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions and C—H…π interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules co‐operatively bind 1.5 butan‐2‐one molecules within the channels. The adsorption behaviour was further evidenced by ¹H NMR, IR, TGA and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments, which are consistent with the single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. A ¹H NMR experiment demonstrates that the supramolecular interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules in MOF 2 lead to a high butan‐2‐one uptake in the channel.     

Tris(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II) bis(perchlorate) 3.5‐hydrate: a water chain stabilized by perchlorate anions

The title compound, [Cd(C₁₂H₈N₂)₃](ClO₄)₂·3.5H₂O, contains a cross‐shaped one‐dimensional channel along the c axis which encapsulates an ordered water chain. This water chain features a centrosymmetric cyclic water hexamer unit with a chair‐like conformation. Neighbouring hexamers are linked by bridging water molecules. The host perchlorate anions recognize and stabilize the guest water chain via three kinds of hydrogen‐bond patterns, leading to the formation of a complex one‐dimensional {[(H₂O)₇(ClO₄)₄]⁴⁻}_n anionic chain. One perchlorate acts as a single hydrogen‐bond acceptor dangling on the chain, the second perchlorate on the chain serves as a double hydrogen‐bond acceptor for only one water molecule to form an R₂²(6) ring, where both entities lie on a twofold axis, while the third perchlorate, which also lies on a twofold axis, accepts two hydrogen bonds from two equivalent water molecules and is involved in the construction of an R₆⁵(14) ring.     

A two‐dimensional network formed by self‐associating silver(I) perchlorate with 3‐[4‐(2‐thienyl)‐2H‐cyclopenta[d]pyridazin‐1‐yl]benzonitrile

In the organometallic silver(I) supramolecular complex poly[[silver(I)‐μ₃‐3‐[4‐(2‐thienyl)‐2H‐cyclopenta[d]pyridazin‐1‐yl]benzonitrile] perchlorate methanol solvate], {[Ag(C₁₈H₁₁N₃S)](ClO₄)·CH₃OH}_n, there is only one type of Ag^I center, which lies in an {AgN₂Sπ} coordination environment. Two unsymmetric multidentate 3‐[4‐(2‐thienyl)‐2H‐cyclopenta[d]pyridazin‐1‐yl]benzonitrile (L) ligands link two Ag^I atoms through π–Ag^I interactions into an organometallic box‐like unit, from which two 3‐cyanobenzoyl arms stretch out in opposite directions and bind two Ag^I atoms from neighboring box‐like building blocks. This results in a novel two‐dimensional network extending in the crystallographic bc plane. These two‐dimensional sheets stack together along the crystallographic a axis to generate parallelogram‐like channels. The methanol solvent molecules and the perchlorate counter‐ions are located in the channels, where they are fixed by intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions. This architecture may provide opportunities for host–guest chemistry, such as guest molecule loss and absorption or ion exchange. The new fulvene‐type multidentate ligand L is a good candidate for the preparation of Cp–Ag^I‐containing (Cp is cyclopentadienyl) organometallic coordination polymers or supramolecular complexes.     

A Five‐layer π‐Aromatic Structure Formed through Self‐assembly of a Porphyrin Trimer and Two Aromatic Guests

In this study we synthesized two‐ and four‐armed porphyrins – bearing two carboxyl and four 2‐aminoquinolino functionalities, respectively, at their meso positions – as a complementary hydrogen bonding pair for the self‐assembly of a D₂‐symmetric porphyrin trimer host. Two units of the two‐armed porphyrin and one unit of the four‐armed porphyrin self‐assembled quantitatively into the D₂‐symmetric porphyrin trimer, stabilized through ammidinium‐carboxylate salt bridge formation, in CH₂Cl₂ and CHCl₃. The porphyrin trimer host gradually bound two units of 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene between the pair of porphyrin units, forming a five‐layer aromatic structure. At temperatures below ?40 °C, the rates of association and dissociation of the complexes were slow on the NMR spectroscopic time scale, allowing the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of the trimer host and trinitrobenzene guest(s) to be detected independently when using less than 2 eq of trinitrobenzene. Vis titration experiments revealed the values of K₁ (2.1±0.4×10⁵ M^?1) and K₂ (2.2±0.06×10⁴ M^?1) in CHCl₃ at room temperature.     

A Solid‐State Fluorescent Host System with a 21‐Helical Column Consisting of Chiral (1R,2S)‐2‐Amino‐1,2‐diphenylethanol and Fluorescent 1‐Pyrenecarboxylic Acid

A solid‐state fluorescent host system was created by self‐assembly of a 2₁‐helical columnar organic fluorophore composed of (1R,2S)‐2‐amino‐1,2‐diphenylethanol and fluorescent 1‐pyrenecarboxylic acid. This host system has a characteristic 2₁‐helical columnar hydrogen‐ and ionic‐bonded network. Channel‐like cavities are formed by self‐assembly of this column, and various guest molecules can be included by tuning the packing of this column. Moreover, the solid‐state fluorescence of this host system can change according to the included guest molecules. This occurs because of the change in the relative arrangement of the pyrene rings as they adjust to the tuning of the packing of the shared 2₁‐helical column, according to the size of the included guest molecules. Therefore, this host system can recognize slight differences in molecular size and shape.     

Pseudopolyrotaxanes of Cucurbit[6]uril: A Three‐Dimensional Network Self‐assembled by ClO4−(H2O)2 Water Clusters

A pseudorotaxane of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with guest molecule N,N′‐hexamethylenebis (pyrazinyl perchlorate) (BPHP) was synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR spectra, IR, single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of the pseudorotaxane (CB[6]·BPHP) is stabilized by host‐guest hydrogen bonds. Self‐assembly of the pseudorotaxane produces infinite one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional networks with intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In the molecular packing of the CB[6]·BPHP, ClO₄^?(H₂O)₂ water clusters serve as bridges to associate these pseudorotaxanes and form three‐dimensional networked pseudopolyrotaxane.     

pH‐Controlled Molecular Switches and the Substrate‐Directed Self‐Assembly of Molecular Capsules with a Calix[4]pyrrole Derivative

10α,20α‐Bis(4‐nitrophenyl)calix[4]pyrrole ( 1 ) forms 1:1 complexes with anions of selected aromatic hydroxy acids in which the host orientation within the guest is controlled by a change in the pH value. Some bis‐anionic guests, including those obtained from 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 1,4‐ and 1,3‐benzenedicarboxylic acids, induce the self‐assembly of molecular capsules involving two molecules of the receptor. ¹H NMR data and solid‐state structures of the 1:1 complex of 1 with p‐C₆H₄(COOH)(COO^?)⁺NMe₄ and the 2:1 capsule [( 1 )₂m‐C₆H₄(COO^?)₂(⁺NMe₄)₂] provide structural details in solution and in the solid state.     

Guest‐Induced Photophysical Property Switching of Artificial Light‐Harvesting Dendrimers

An artificial light‐harvesting multiporphyrin dendrimer ( 8P_ZnP_FB ) composed of a focal freebase porphyrin ( P_FB ) with eight zinc(II) porphyrin ( P_Zn ) wings exhibited unique photophysical property switching in response to specific guest molecule binding. UV/Vis titration studies indicated stable 1:2 host–guest complex formation between 8P_ZnP_FB and meso‐tetrakis(4‐pyridyl)‐porphyrin ( TPyP ) for which the first and second association constants were estimated to be >10⁸ M ^?1 and 3.0×10⁷ M ^?1, respectively. 8P_ZnP_FB originally shows 94 % energy transfer efficiency from P_Zn to the focal P_FB . By the formation of the host–guest complex ( 8P_ZnP_FB? 2 TPyP ) the emission intensity of 8P_ZnP_FB is significantly decreased, and an ultrafast charge separation state is generated. The energy transfer process from P_Zn wings to the P_FB core in 8P_ZnP_FB is almost entirely switched to an electron transfer process by the formation of 8P_ZnP_FB? 2 TPyP .