Molecular Recognition within a Self-Assembled Cylindrical Host

A change in geometry is necessary on entry into the capsule: a supramolecular associate approximately 1.8 nm long (see schematic representation), which consists of two halves stabilized by hydrogen bonds, influences the intra- and intermolecular interactions of the guest molecules encapsulated. Thus tertiary amides and anilides such as 1 , which exist in solution preferably as E rotamers, are fixed in the Z conformation inside the capsule for steric reasons.     

Synthesis and Association Behavior of [4.4.4.4.4.4]Metacyclophanedodecayne Derivatives with Interior Binding Groups

Intriguing association behavior in solution is exhibited by the rigid macrocycle 1 . For instance, it reacts with organic cations to give ternary complexes of the composition ( 1 ⋅cation)⋅ 1 , and with analogous macrocycles without cyano groups it forms heteroaggregates. R=CO₂C₈H₁₇.     

Stabilities of Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Complexes with Various Numbers of Single Bonds: Attempts To Quantify a Dogma in Host–Guest Chemistry

The disadvantage of flexible bonds in supramolecular host–guest complexes is much smaller than usually assumed. In the association of dicarboxlic acids with diamides (shown on the right), freely rotatable single bonds have only a minor disadvantageous influence on the free energy of complexation ΔG_cplx. From the linear correlation between ΔG_cplx and the number of single bonds n, a decrease in the free energy of complexation of only 1.3 kJ mol⁻¹ per single bond was determined.     

Supramolecular Polymerization Engineered with Molecular Recognition

Supramolecular polymeric assemblies represent an emerging, promising class of molecular assemblies with enormous versatility compared with their covalent polymeric counterparts. Although a large number of host–guest motifs have been produced over the history of supramolecular chemistry, only a limited number of recognition motifs have been utilized as supramolecular connections in polymeric assemblies. This account describes the molecular recognition of host molecules based on calix[5]arene and bisporphyrin that demonstrate unique guest encapsulations; subsequently, these host–guest motifs are applied to the synthesis of supramolecular polymers that display polymer‐like properties in solution and solid states. In addition, new bisresorcinarenes are developed to form supramolecular polymers that are connected via a rim‐to‐rim hydrogen‐bonded dimeric structure, which is composed of two resorcinarene moieties.

     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Unimolecular Capsule

There is more than one way to assemble the two halves of a tethered, urea-substituted calix[4]arene dimer (shown schematically): formation of unimolecular capsules (far left), dimers, or oligomers. By combination of NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry, a hexamethylene spacer was shown to be exactly right to permit the preferential formation of a unimolecular capsule under inclusion of solvent or other guest molecules.     

Complexation of Neutral Molecules by Cyclophane Hosts

Since the discovery of the crown ethers by Pedersen twenty years ago, the chemistry of synthetic hosts for the selective complexation of organic and inorganic guests has seen an extraordinarily rapid development. This article discusses in particular the contributions provided by synthetic cyclophanes as hosts to the understanding of molecular complexation of neutral organic guest molecules in aqueous and organic solvents. In aqueous solution, cyclophanes form stoichiometric complexes with neutral aromatic guests which can approach enzyme-substrate complexes in their stability. Efficient molecular complexation is also observed in organic environments. Here, as a result of large solvation effects, the strength of complexation is strongly dependent on the nature of the organic solvent. Electron donor-acceptor interactions can contribute significantly to the stability of complexes formed between cyclophane hosts and aromatic guests. Force-field calculations together with computer graphics are powerful tools in the design of water-soluble, optically active hosts for chiral recognition of complexed racemic guests. Simple and selective functionalization of the cyclophane framework leads to stable, bioorganic catalysts. Like enzymes, these catalysts bind their substrates in a rapid equilibrium prior to the reaction steps. As a perspective, some fascinating research objectives in the field of molecular recognition and catalysis which can be targeted with designed cyclophane hosts are shown.     

环糊精用于分子识别分析的新进展

本文概述了环糊精用于分子识别分析的新进展，讨论了单体、修饰、交联环糊精在分子识别分析中的具体应用与展望。     

Self-Assembly of a Molecular Floral Lace with One-Dimensional Channels and Inclusion of Glucose

A three-dimensional network with one-dimensional channels (see picture) has been self-assembled from the nickel(II ) complex of cyclam and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate in water through hydrogen-bond formation. The channels have an appropriate diameter (10.3 Å) to include D -glucose with a formation constant of K_f=(1.38±0.01)×10⁴ M ⁻¹. Under similar conditions maltose is not included.     

Guest-Controlled Formation of a Hydrogen-Bonded Molecular Capsule

The dimerization of the self-complementary resorcarene tetraesters is triggered by the entrapment of a tropylium cation in the π-basic cavity. Eight intermolecular OH⋅⋅⋅OC hydrogen bonds together with host–guest interactions such as charge transfer and C−H⋅⋅⋅π bonding are responsible for the high stability of this assembly (see picture). Hereby neither the host–guest interaction nor the interaction of two resorcarene molecules through hydrogen bonds is sufficient by itself to form the complex.     

Modeling the Supramolecular Properties of Aliphatic-Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Convex–Concave Topology

The molecular tweezers 1 a and 1 b have an electrostatic potential on the concave sides of the molecule which is surprisingly negative for hydrocarbons. According to semiempirical calculations this is a general phenomenon in nonconjugated π-electron systems with concave–convex topology, and it explains the receptor properties of 1 a and 1 b .     

An Efficient Venus Flytrap for the Reversible Binding of Nitric Oxide

Remarkably efficient reversible binding of nitric oxide (NO) by the stilbenoid derivative 1 is observed (K>3×10⁶ M ⁻¹). This noncovalent interaction is readily controlled by simple oxidation and reduction.     

NMR spectroscopy in coordination supramolecular chemistry: A unique and powerful methodology

Metal-mediated self-assembly is emerging as a very important strategy for the synthesis of supramolecular species. Still, a major challenge in coordination supramolecular chemistry continues to be the characterization of the self-assembled complexes and the investigation of their dynamic behaviour in solution. In this context, NMR spectroscopy appears as a unique and powerful methodology. This practical-oriented review describes the rich variety of NMR techniques which are applied to the investigation of different aspects of the structure and behaviour of supramolecular complexes. “Classic” 1D NMR spectra reflect characteristic chemical shifts due to metal–ligand interactions or encapsulation phenomena, as well as symmetry and chiral properties of host–guest assemblies. Mainstream ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ³¹P spectra are eventually complemented by the use of NMR-active metal nuclides. Homo- and heteronuclear 2D correlation experiments are ubiquitous in the literature, providing through-bond and through-space connectivities. Increasingly, diffusion measurements are also gaining popularity in this field, being used to gain information about molecular size, intermolecular interactions and even association constants of supramolecular complexes. Knowledge about the thermodynamic properties and the dynamic behaviour of coordination supramolecular assemblies is essential for the development of their practical applications. The most frequently used NMR methodologies for the calculation of association constants (simple signal integration, NMR titration and diffusion measurements) and for the investigation of dynamic supramolecular equilibria (lineshape analysis, selective inversion recovery experiments and 2D EXSY spectra) are described, together with the use of variable-temperature investigations for the determination of the thermodynamic and activation parameters of self-assembly and encapsulation processes.     

Fullerenes Enclosed in Bridged Calix[5]arenes

Host systems that bind C ₇₀ preferentially to C ₆₀ are found in the bridged calix[5]arenes 1 (X= alkyne bridge). The complexation-induced shifts of the bound fullerene guests provide valuable information on the structure and dynamics of the supramolecular complex.     

Cooperatively Enhanced Receptors for Biomimetic Molecular Recognition

The concept of preorganization suggests that organizing a receptor around its guest during binding is detrimental, because the cost of conformational change is assumed to be paid out of the binding energy. Although this concept has historically guided the synthesis of a great many synthetic hosts, in recent years, chemists have begun to synthesize receptors that resemble proteins in their cooperative conformational changes. Such changes could enhance the host–guest interactions, in particular if the binding of the guest triggers previously unengaged noncovalent interactions within the host. These hosts, referred to as cooperatively enhanced receptors, corroborate with their biological counterparts to support the approach of creating high‐affinity receptors through the combined strategies of cooperativity and preorganization. Solvents, often the invisible participants of any solution‐based supramolecular process, should be properly considered in the design of synthetic receptors, whether preorganized or cooperatively enhanced.     

Host/Guest Chemistry of Organic Onium Compounds—Clathrates,Crystalline Complexes,and Molecular Inclusion Compounds in Aqueous Solution

The importance of organic onium compounds for host/guest interactions in biological processes has been long recognized. In contrast, the versatility of synthetic onium compounds as host molecules in abiotic chemistry has only been investigated in detail for the last few years. Due to their inclusion ability and selectivities, organic ammonium, pyridinium, and phosphonium salts and other organic salts with specific structural features are interesting as clathrate-forming molecules. The crystal structures of the clathrates afford insight into the conformational adaptability of onium clathrands with limited flexibility to the geometric requirements of the guest molecules. Optically active onium hosts can be used for enantiomeric enrichment. In crystalline tetracyanoquinodimethane(TCNQ) complexes and radical anion salts, the structure of the organic heterocation has a marked effect on the electrical conductivity. Macrocyclic onium compounds of the phane type with “exohydrophilic” and “endolipophilic” cavities are suitable as models of enzymes and biological receptors. They can also be used to transfer aromatic and aliphatic guest molecules selectively into aqueous solution. Catalytic activity (including H/D exchange) has already been obtained with synthetic compounds having large cavities. The further development of such host/guest systems may contribute to the understanding of biological systems and the improvement of technical processes (catalysis in molecular cavities).     

Self-Assembling Sieves

A modular strategy has been applied to synthesize large, porous, self-assembling capsules. The coupling of tricyclic building blocks incorporating glycoluril hydrogen-bonding units and derivatives of triethylbenzene produces monomers which readily form homo- and heterodimeric assemblies (calculated structure is shown). Large guests can be trapped while small solvent molecules flow freely through the pores of the capsules.     

The Binding of Sulfate Anions by Guanidinium Receptors is Entropy-Driven

Clear trends in the molecular recognition of guest species by artificial hosts in solution are often observed by intrinsic enthalpy–entropy compensation, which requires the dissection of these free-energy components. Contrary to common belief, it is not the enthalpic electrostatic attraction that makes guanidinium hosts such as 1 strong binders for sulfate anions. Isothermal titration calorimetry has now allowed this molecular recognition to be characterized as an entropy-driven association.     

Oligosilane‐ and Oligosiloxane‐bridged Phosphines – Synthesis,Structures, and Metalation

The range of molecular silicon phosphorus compounds has been extended by some new species containing oligosilane ((R₂Si)_n; n ≥ 2) or oligosiloxane ((R₂SiO)_mSiR₂; m ≥ 1) fragments bound to phosphorus atoms. Primary and secondary compounds of these types allow for the synthesis of metal derivatives. Such metalated species usually form oligomers and exhibit a versatile structural chemistry with cyclic, polycyclic, and cage‐like patterns. The main results obtained in the field of oligosilane‐ and oligosiloxane‐bridged phosphines will be presented below and the structures of the metal derivatives will be discussed. Moreover, the synthesis of an inorganic ligand on the basis of siloxane‐bridged phosphines will be presented. This compound opens up a new chapter in host‐guest chemistry.