Inclusion crystals of 2,2′,7,7′,9,9′-hexahalo-9,9′-bisfluorenyl derivatives: a new family of polyhalo aryl hosts

The preparation and inclusion properties of the new halo aryl hosts, 2,2′,7,7′,9,9′-hexahalo-9,9′-bisfluorenyl derivatives 5-7, are described. The host compounds 5-7 having four halogen atoms on the aromatic rings form stable inclusion crystals with many guest compounds, whereas the parent compound 4 does not. The X-ray structures of the host 4 and representative inclusion compounds of hosts 5-7 were determined, allowing rationalization of several of the experimental observations.     

Di-, tri-, and tetra-arylterephthalic acids as novel clathrate host compounds

Novel terephthalic acid host compounds having aromatic substituent 1-4 have been prepared and their inclusion properties were investigated. These host compounds enclathrated several kinds of alcohols, ethers, ketones, amides, and sulfoxides. The X-ray structures of 1:1 2a/EtOH, 1:2 2b/DMF, 1:2 3/MeOH, and 1:1 4/EtOH complexes revealed complexation mode.     

Anthracene Based Bulky Diol Hosts. Crystal Structures of a Free Host and of Inclusion Compounds with Dipolar Guests

X-ray crystal structures are reported of a free host compound 1, comprising two diphenylmethanol terminal groups attached to a central 9,10-ethynyl substituted anthracene unit, and of three inclusion compounds of a fluoren-9-ol substituted analogous host 2 with acetone, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) as guest, respectively. Despite the presence of two hydroxyl groups in 1, there is no O–H...O hydrogen bond between the molecules in the guest free crystal – only weaker C–H...O interactions and van der Waals' type connections. In the inclusion compounds of 2, H-bonded 1:2 host–guest associates are formed, where each of the host hydroxyl groups binds to a guest oxygen atom. The orientations of the host–guest connections in these complexes vary, being E for acetone and Z for both DMSO and DMF guests, relative to the host anthracene unit. The DMSO and DMF inclusion compounds of 2 proved to be isostructural.     

Selective recognition of the ditopic trimethylammonium cations by water-soluble aminocalix[4]arene

In this Letter, the role of the depth of the cavity in the recognition processes of the guests by the hosts has been investigated. The hosts 2, 3 interact with both the cationic function and the aromatic moiety in the guests 5, 6 but with a slight preference for the cationic functions. The host 4 selectively recognizes the trimethylammonium functions of the guests 5 and 6. However, the host 1 selectively recognizes the aromatic moiety of the ditopic trimethylammonium guests 5 and 6. The recognition and orientation of the guest in the cavity of the host are directly dependent on the depth of the hydrophobic cavity of the host.     

Water-soluble aminocalix[4]arene receptors with hydrophobic and hydrophilic mouths

We report the new water-soluble aminocalix[4]arene hosts 1 and 2 with deep hydrophobic cavity facilitating hydrophobic mouth and hydrophilic mouth, respectively. The ¹H NMR titrations revealed that host 1 shows high selectivity for neutral guests 9 and 10, with log K of 4.2 and 4.6, respectively. The host 2 shows log K of 4.9 for binding with guest 15. Moreover, the binding ability of the host 2 for guest 14 is stronger by a factor of 1000 than that of the host 1.     

Recovery of host crystals from inclusion crystals of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p-tert-</Emphasis>butylcalix[4]arene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p-tert</Emphasis>-butylthiacalix[4]arene by the treatment with a solvent and/or supercritical CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Upon stirring inclusion crystals of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (2) in solvents with heating, guest compounds were efficiently desorbed to yield guest-free crystals. More specifically, upon treatment with methanol, the exchange of guest compounds with methanol in the crystals, followed by the desorption of the methanol afforded metastable host crystals 2β, whereas, upon treatment with heptane, the dissolution of the inclusion crystals and simultaneous crystallization of compound 2 afforded stable host crystals 2α. Further, a host crystal of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1) was recovered by the treatment of 2:1 (host/guest) inclusion crystals of compound 1 with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂), and through the combination of the guest exchange of 1:1 inclusion crystals of compound 1 with hexane and scCO₂ treatment of the resulting 2:1 inclusion crystals 1₂·hexane. Although the recovered host crystal of compound 1 contained a small amount of CO₂, it could be reused for the inclusion of organic compounds.     

A comparative study of crystal structures and inclusion properties of fluorinated triazines

Three perfluorinated host compounds of the triazine type, namely 2,4,6-tris(pentafluorophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (1), 2,4,6-tris(pentafluorothiophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (2) and 2,4,6-tris(pentafluorophenamin)-1,3,5-triazine (3), were synthesized differing only in the linking heteroatom (O, S and NH) between the triazine core and the pentafluorophenyl groups. The crystal structures involving compounds 1, 2 and their inclusion compounds are dominated by a variety of fluorine interactions (phenyl-perfluorophenyl, C-H?F, F?F, C-F?π_F). However, in the structure of 3, possessing additional hydrogen atoms of the linkage NH-groups, the formation of hydrogen bonds is favoured, whereas fluorine contacts are less apparent. Investigations by powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis revealed substantial differences in the host-guest interactions of the inclusion compounds.     

An investigation of the role of the disparate redox states of the tetrathiafulvalene unit in modulating hydrogen bonding interactions in solution

We have investigated the electrochemically controlled hydrogen bonding interactions between tetrathiafulvalene host 3 and guests 4 or 5. Stabilisation of the 3⁺ state is dependent upon the nature of the guest species, whereas both guests prevent precipitation of the electrochemically generated 3²⁺ species at the working electrode via hydrogen bonded molecular recognition processes.     

Crystalline inclusion compounds of lower rim propyl substituted calix[4]arenes featuring different number and positions of the modifying groups

Three lower rim n-propyl substituted calix[4]arenes (1–3) with varied number and position of the modifying groups have been prepared. Inclusion compounds (five species) involving different kinds of guest solvents have been isolated. Their X-ray crystal structures were determined and comparatively discussed using isostructurality calculations. Two of the inclusion compounds obtained (1a and 1b) are polymorphs containing the same host and guest molecules in equal stoichiometric ratio but different Z′ values caused by a phase transition around 140 K. The inclusion compounds 2a and 2b refer to the interesting case of a mixed solvent complex while 3a allows studying the effect of full lower rim n-propyl substitution.     

Photo- and electroluminescent properties of cyano-substituted styryl derivatives and synthesis of CN-PPV model compounds containing an alkoxy spacer for OLEDs

The series of cyano-substituted model compounds 18-20 for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) was prepared through Knoevenagel condensation reactions between the dialdehydes 3,6,9 and the differently substituted acetonitrile derivatives 11,16,17. The influence of the different substituents on the optical properties of the resulting α-cyanostyryl compounds 18-20 was investigated. Another series of dimeric cyano-substituted styryl compounds 26-28 were prepared, in which a flexible, nonconjugated spacer is present between the two cyanostyryl moieties. The spacer isolates the π-conjugated portions of dimeric compounds 26-28, improves their solubility in common organic solvents, and decreases their tendency to crystallize. These features are favorable for producing efficient luminescent films in OLEDs devices.     

Tuning of the nitronyl nitroxide radical magnetic and electronic properties by inclusion in cucurbit[n]urils

A nitronyl nitroxide, 2-(benzimidazolyl)-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazolidinyl-3-oxide-1-oxy, 1 and its imino nitroxide analog 2, have been included in cucurbit[n]urils, CBn (n = 7,8), as their hydrochlorides and neutral compounds as well. The hydrochlorides form soluble 1:1 complexes. In the solid state the paramagnetic centers are well isolated and magnetic interactions are cancelled out in contrast to what is observed for the pure nitroxides. The two inclusion complexes involving 1 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. When they were heated in the solid state, one observed a clean conversion of the nitronyl nitroxide guest, 1, into its analog 2.     

Change in conformation upon complexation of double-armed terephthalamide hosts: dynamic molecular recognition of ditopic guests with strong CD signaling

Conformation of novel terephthalamide hosts 1 changes from anti to syn upon complexation with a bidentate guest (2 or 3). Chiral sense in the helical syn-form of the double-armed host molecules 1 is biased by the asymmetric centers on the chiral guest [(R,R)/(S,S)-2a], which can be detected by the drastic change in circular dichroism (CD) spectrum thanks to the exciton coupling of two chromophores (‘arms’) linked to the amide nitrogens. Asymmetric centers on the host molecule also exhibit preference for the twisting direction upon change in geometry from the anti- to syn-form. Thus, the achiral guests (2b or 3) can also be detected by modulation of CD spectrum upon complexation with the chiral host [(R,R)-1a].     

Water-soluble pentasulfonatocalix[5]arene: selective recognition of ditopic trimethylammonium cations by a triple non-covalent interaction

The inclusion of tetramethylammonium and ditopic trimethylammonium cations by the water-soluble pentasulfonatocalix[5]arene 1 has been studied at neutral pH by ¹H NMR and compared with the homologous tetrasulfonatocalix[4]arene 2. Unlike host 2, host 1 selectively binds the ditopic trimethylammonium ions by three different non-covalent interactions. Remarkably the flexible host 1 exhibits both more efficiency and selectivity in the complexation of ditopic methylammonium ions with respect to similar more preorganised calix[4]arene receptors.     

Synthesis of water-soluble 2-alkylcyclodextrin-C60 conjugates and their inclusion complexation in aqueous solution

Two β-cyclodextrin-C₆₀ conjugates (3 and 4) with a flexible linker at the secondary face of cyclodextrin are synthesized by a single reaction of 2-(ω-azidoundecanyl)-2-O-heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2) and C₆₀, both of which display satisfactory water solubility. Structural analyses show that 3 is a closed [5,6] aziridinofullerene, whereas 4 is a bis-adduct derivative. Using rhodamine B (RhB) as a guest molecule, the inclusion complexation behavior of 3 was investigated in aqueous solution.     

Guests of differing polarities provide insight into structural requirements for templates of water-soluble nano-capsules

Guests covering a range of polarities were examined for their ability to bind to a water-soluble cavitand and trigger its assembly into a supramolecular capsule. Specifically the guests examined were: tridecane 2, 1-dodecanol 3, 2-nonyloxy ethanol (ethylene glycol monononyl ether) 4, 2-(2-hexyloxyethoxy) ethanol (di(ethylene glycol) hexyl ether) 5, 2-[2-(2 propoxyethoxy)ethoxy] ethanol (tri(ethylene glycol) propyl ether) 6, and bis [2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl] ether (tetra(ethylene glycol)) 7. In this series, guest 6 proved to signify the boundary between assembly and the formation of 2:1 complexes, and simple 1:1 complexation. Thus, guests 2-5 formed relatively kinetically stable capsules, guest 6 formed a capsule that was unstable relative to the NMR timescale, and guest 7 formed a simple 1:1 complex.     

Guest-encapsulation behavior in a self-assembled heterodimeric capsule

Tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 1 and tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 2 self-assemble into a heterodimeric capsule 1·2 via four PhOH?pyridyl hydrogen bonds in CDCl₃, wherein one molecule of 1,4-disubstituted-benzene as a guest is encapsulated to form a ternary complex, guest@(1·2). The X-ray crystallographic analysis of (methyl p-ethoxybenzoate)@(1·2) confirmed that the methyl ester and ethoxy groups of the encapsulated guest are oriented to the cavity ends of the 1 and 2 units, respectively. The scope and limitation of guest encapsulation in 1·2, including guest-binding selectivity and orientational isomeric selectivity, are described from the viewpoint of size complementarity and CH-π, CH-halogen, and halogen-π interactions between guest and the cavity of 1·2.     

Thiacalix[4]arene-alkali metal assemblies: crystal structures and guest-binding capabilities of supramolecular architectures supported by metal coordination and cation-π interactions

To investigate alkali metal complexation with sulfur-linked calixarene analogues and their guest-binding properties for gaseous organic guest molecules, we elucidated a crystal structure of a cesium complex with p-H-thiacalix[4]arene (1·4H) ligands and guest-binding properties of the cesium complex (2) and the previously reported rubidium complex (3). In crystals of the complex 2, a ‘sandwich-like’ binuclear complex was formed by inter-molecular coordination of cesium cations to the thiacalixarene molecules and methanol molecules, mutually interacting by aromatic-H?S hydrogen bonding and alkali metal cation-π interactions between the alkali metal cation and thiacalixarene aromatic rings outside of the cavities. On the guest-binding behaviors both complexes 2 and 3 toward organic guest molecules, methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol as polar molecules, the complex 2 has no methanol adsorption ability, but the complex 3 showed vapor adsorption properties for all guest molecules. In particular, both complexes exhibited a high adsorption capability toward ethanol molecule. As results of gaseous guest adsorption measurements for alcohol molecules, the guest-binding of these complexes are significantly different because the properties depend heavily on structural natures between complexes 2 and 3.     

Metal-organic frameworks from chiral square-pyramidal copper(II) complexes: Enantiospecific inclusion and perfectly polar alignment of guest and host molecules

The physical properties of [CuL¹₂(H₂O)] (1) and [CuL²₂(H₂O)] (2) and preparation and crystal structures of the inclusion compounds 1·(P)-C₂H₄Br₂, 2·(M)-C₂H₄Br₂, 1·CH₃CN and 2·CH₃CN are described. HL¹ and HL² (H represents the dissociable phenolic proton) are the N,O-donor chiral reduced Schiff bases N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-(R)-α-methyl-benzylamine and N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-(S)-α-methylbenzylamine, respectively. All the compounds crystallize in the non-centrosymmetric space group C2. In the crystal lattice, the host [CuLⁿ₂(H₂O)] (1 and 2) molecules connected by O−H?O and C−H?O interactions form perfectly polar two-dimensional networks. In these chiral and polar host frameworks, enantiospecific inclusion with polar ordering of the right-handed (P) and the left-handed (M) gauche form of 1,2-dibromoethane as well as polar alignment of acetonitrile molecules are observed. The host and guest molecules are linked by C−H?O interactions. The O-atoms of the nitro substituent on the ligands of 1 and 2 act as the acceptors in all these intermolecular O−H?O and C−H?O interactions. The structures reported in this work provide rare examples of enantiospecific trapping of the chiral rotamers of 1,2-dibromoethane as well as perfectly polar alignment of both guest and host molecules.     

[60]Fullerene adducts with 9-substituted anthracenes: mechanochemical preparation and retro Diels-Alder reaction

Three 9-substituted anthracene derivatives, that is, 9-hydroxymethylanthracene (2), 9-methoxymethylanthracene (3) and bis(9-anthrylmethyl) adipate (6), were chosen as the model compounds to evaluate the reactivity in their Diels-Alder reactions with [60]fullerene and in retro Diels-Alder reactions of the formed cycloadducts. Corresponding adducts 4, 5 and 7 were prepared in high yields under solvent-free conditions using high-speed vibration milling technique. In order to determine thermal stabilities of adducts 4, 5 and 7, their dissociations in the temperature range of 40-65 °C were investigated. Fitting the dissociation rates and temperatures to the Arrhenius equation gives the activation energies of 25.8, 21.8 and 24.9 kcal/mol for compounds 4, 5 and 7, respectively.     

Guest recognition of a tetrapyridinohemicarcerand through hydrogen bonding and constrictive binding interactions

Tetrapyridinohemicarcerand 2 having four hydrogen-bonding acceptors of inward-directing pyridyl units was synthesized and their binding properties for a variety of organic guest molecules have been investigated. Tetrapyridinohemicarcerand 2 formed kinetically stable complexes with various sulfonic acids via intermolecular -SO₃H-pyridyl hydrogen bonding and constrictive binding interactions in C₂D₂Cl₄ at 25 °C. But carboxylic acids or alcohols cannot be a stable guest at the same conditions. Tetrapyridinohemicarcerand 2 also binds various disubstituted benzenes. Especially 1,4-diiodobenzene forms stable hemicarceplex 1,4-diiodobenzene@2, which seems to be stabilized by constrictive binding as well as by -C-H?I interactions between dioxymethylene of 2 and iodo group of guest.