Uptake of Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solution by Encapsulation in Acyclic Cucurbit[n]uril‐Type Molecular Containers |
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| Authors: | Dr. Xiaoyong Lu Prof. Dr. Lyle Isaacs |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA |
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| Abstract: | The ability of two water‐soluble acyclic cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) type containers, whose hydrophobic cavity is defined by a glycoluril tetramer backbone and terminal aromatic (benzene, naphthalene) sidewalls, to act as solubilizing agents for hydrocarbons in water is described. 1H NMR spectroscopy studies and phase‐solubility diagrams establish that the naphthalene‐walled container performs as well as, or better than, CB[7] and CB[8] in promoting the uptake of poorly soluble hydrocarbons into aqueous solution through formation of host–hydrocarbon complexes. The naphthalene‐walled acyclic CB[n] container is able to extract large hydrocarbons from crude oil into aqueous solution. |
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| Keywords: | cucurbit[n]uril host– guest systems hydrocarbons hydrophobic effect supramolecular chemistry |
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