Characterization of host-guest complexes of cucurbit[n]uril (n = 6, 7) by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

When an intramolecular cavity exists in a molecule, it can trap another chemical species to form a host-guest complex. We examine the formation of such an inclusion complex with cucurbit[n]uril (CBn, n = 6, 7) as the host to trap alkali metal or ammonium ions as the guest, by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results show that the inclusion complexes are formed between the three-dimensional cylinder of CBn hosts and the guest cations. Selectivity of the complex formation is dependent both on (1) ion-dipole interactions between the cylindrical portal of the CBn hosts and the guest cations and (2) the hydrophobic interactions at the inner cavity of CBn.     

pH- and thermosensitive supramolecular assembling system: rapidly responsive properties of beta-cyclodextrin-conjugated poly(epsilon-lysine)

beta-Cyclodextrin-conjugated poly(epsilon-lysine) (beta-CDPL) was synthesized as a novel polymeric host for constructing a smart supramolecular assembling system. Systematic studies on the inclusion complexation between the polymeric host with an alpha- or beta-CD cavity and a model guest molecule provided evidence that dual cooperative interactions, specific host-guest interaction and intermolecular ionic interaction, played a dominant role in leading to a fast aggregation phenomenon. In addition, a rapid phase transition induced by the supramolecular assembly was observed reversibly in response to a small change in pH or temperature.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study of the structural features and inclusion capacities of cucurbit[6]uril derivatives in aqueous solutions

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) methyl and cyclohexyl derivatives in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, MD simulations have been conducted to study the inclusion complexes between each CB6 derivative with α,ω-pentane diammonium ion (NH₃⁺(CH₂)₅NH₃⁺) to estimate the binding free energies, the complex geometries and the intermolecular forces responsible for complex formation. Results show a complete inclusion of the guest molecule in the cavity of the host for all complexes. Results also indicate that the guest dynamics inside the cavity of the substituted host is similar to that for the unsubstituted host. This demonstrates that the molecular recognition of the host is not affected by the alkyl substitution at the equator. Also, there is an insignificant conformational change of the macrocyclic structure upon inclusion of the guest. Molecular mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann surface area method was used to estimate the binding free energy of each complex. Results indicate that host–guest electrostatic interactions make the largest contribution to the complex binding free energy. Moreover, van der Waals interactions add significantly to the complex stability. The guest molecules show more or less similar binding free energies with the substituted CB6 that exhibits slightly more negative values than unsubstituted CB6 which is proved also by umbrella sampling.     

Diarylethylene guest anchored into a cyclodextrin molecular host: optical,quantum chemical studies and biological activity

The host–guest complexation between a novel guest namely; 2-(4-pyridinylbenzothiazolyl) ethane, PBE and β-cyclodextrin was studied using steady-state absorption and emission techniques. The fluorescence maximum is strongly blue-shifted with a great enhancement in the fluorescence intensity upon addition of β-CD, confirming the formation of inclusion complexes. The solid inclusion complex between PBE and β-CD has been prepared, characterised using FT-IR, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope techniques. PBE is encapsulated with β-CD nanocavity and 1:1 PBE–β-CD host–guest interaction is identified. This is confirmed using semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations. PBE guest entered into the less polar cavity through the benzothiazole moiety. The negative values of enthalpy and free energy changes suggest that the encapsulation process is thermodynamically favourable. Additionally, the fluorescence is more sensitive to the micellar medium, whether it was cationic, anionic or neutral as well as metal ions like, Li⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Finally, the antimicrobial activities of PBE guest and its inclusion complex with β-CD host are studied.     

A cationic water-soluble pillar[7]arene: Synthesis and its fluorescent host−guest complex in water

The first cationic water-soluble pillar[7]arene CWP7 was prepared. ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and MALDI-TOF-MS were performed to provide converging evidences of the structure of obtained CWP7. Host–guest complexation between this novel pillar[7]arene-based host and sodium pyren-1-olate guest G was fully investigated in aqueous solution. Increased fluorescence intensity was observed during the inclusion complexation. Driven by the cooperativity of electrostatic interactions, π-stacking interactions and hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions, the guest penetrated into the cavity of CWP7 to form a pseudorotaxane-type inclusion complex with relatively high binding affinity.     

Complexation of polyvalent cyclodextrin ions with oppositely charged guests: entropically favorable complexation due to dehydration

Thermodynamic parameters for complexation of polyvalent cyclodextrin (CD) cation and anion with oppositely charged guests have been determined in D2O containing 0.02 M NaCl by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Protonated heptakis(6-amino-6-deoxy)-beta-CD (per-NH3+-beta-CD) forms stable inclusion complexes with monovalent guest anions. The enthalpy (deltaH) and entropy changes (deltaS) for complexation of per-NH3+-beta-CD with p-methylbenzoate anion (p-CH3-Ph-CO2-) are 3.8 +/- 0.7 kJ mol(-1) and 88.6 +/- 2.2 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. The deltaH and deltaS values for the native beta-CD-p-CH3-Ph-CO2- system are -8.6 +/- 0.1 kJ mol(-1) and 15.3 +/- 0.7 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. The thermodynamic parameters clearly indicate that dehydration from both the host and guest ions accounts for the entropic gain in inclusion process of p-CH3-Ph-CO2- into the per-NH3+-beta-CD cavity. The fact that the neutral guests such as 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene and p-methylbenzyl alcohol hardly form the complexes with per-NH3+-beta-CD exhibits that van der Waals and/or hydrophobic interactions do not cause the complexation of the polyvalent CD cation with the monovalent anion. The acetate anion is not included into the per-NH3+-beta-CD cavity, while the butanoate and hexanoate anions form the inclusion complexes. The complexation of the alkanoate anions is entropically dominated. Judging from these results, it may be concluded that Coulomb interactions cooperated with inclusion are required for realizing the large entropic gain due to extended dehydration. Entropically favorable complexation was also observed for the anionic CD-cationic guest system. The present study might present a general mechanism for ion pairing in water.     

N-Doping of Polyaromatic Capsules: Small Cavity Modification Leads to Large Change in Host–Guest Interactions

To gain insight into the host functions of a nanocavity encircled by both polyaromatic panels and heteroatoms, nitrogen-doped polyaromatic capsules were successfully synthesized from metal ions and pyridine-embedded, bent anthracene-based ligands. The new capsules display unique host–guest interactions in the isolated cavities, which are distinct from those of the undoped analogues. Besides the inclusion of Ag⁺ ions, the large absorption change of fullerene C₆₀ and altered emission of a BODIPY dimer are observed upon encapsulation by the present hosts. Moreover, the N-doped capsule exhibits specific binding ability toward progesterone and methyltestosterone, known as a natural female and synthetic male hormone, respectively, in water.     

Chiral recognition of helical metal complexes by modified cyclodextrins.

Chirality of metal complexes M(phen)3(n+) (M = Ru(II), Rh(III), Fe(II), Co(II), and Zn(II), and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) is recognized by heptakis(6-carboxymethylthio-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin heptaanion (per-CO2(-)-beta-CD) and hexakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin (TMe-alpha-CD) in D2O. The binding constant (K) for the Delta-Ru(phen)3(2+) complex of per-CO2(-)-beta-CD (K = 1250 M(-1)) in 0.067 M phosphate buffer at pD 7.0 is approximately 2 times larger than that for the Lambda-isomer (590 M(-1)). Definite effects of inorganic salts on stability of the complexes indicate a large contribution of Coulomb interactions to complexation. The fact that hydrophilic Ru(bpy)3(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) does not form a complex with per-CO2(-)-beta-CD suggests the importance of inclusion of the guest molecule into the host cavity for forming a stable ion-association complex. The positive entropy change for complexation of Ru(phen)3(2+) with per-CO2(-)-beta-CD shows that dehydration from both the host and the guest occurs upon complexation. Similar results were obtained with trivalent Rh(phen)3(3+) cation. Pfeiffer effects were observed in complexation of racemic Fe(phen)3(2+), Co(phen)3(2+), and Zn(phen)3(2+) with per-CO2(-)-beta-CD with enriched Delta-isomers. Native cyclodextrins such as alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins as well as heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin do not interact with Ru(bpy)3(2+). However, hexakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin (TMe-alpha-CD) interacts with Ru(phen)3(2+) and Ru(bpy)3(2+) and discriminates between the enantiomers of these metal complexes. The K values for the Delta- and Lambda-Ru(phen)3(2+) ions are 54 and 108 M(-1), respectively. Complexation of the Delta- and Lambda-isomers of Ru(phen)3(2+) with TMe-alpha-CD is accompanied by negative entropy changes, suggesting that cationic Ru(phen)3(2+) is shallowly included into the cavity of the neutral host through van der Waals interactions. The Delta-enantiomer, having a right-handed helix configuration, fits the primary OH group side of per-CO2(-)-beta-CD (SCH2CO2(-) side) well, while the Lambda-enantiomer, having a left-handed helix configuration, is preferably bound to the secondary OH group side of TMe-alpha-CD. The asymmetrically twisted shape of a host cavity seems to be the origin of chiral recognition by cyclodextrin.     

Stimuli-responsive fluorescent supramolecular polymer network based on a monofunctionalized leaning tower[6]arene

A fluorescent supramolecular polymer network with an excellent triple-stimuli responsive property based on metal–ligand coordination and host–guest interactions has been constructed from a terpyridine-monofunctionalized leaning tower[6]arene, a tetraphenylethylene AIEgen, and a bridging coordination ion (Zn²⁺). Addition of competitive binding agents, trifluoroacetic acid, and/or pillar[5]arene can break the metal coordination and/or host-guest inclusion complexation, and thermal heating can weaken the non-covalent interactions in the supramolecular polymer gel, all leading to the gel-to-sol transition.     

N‐Doping of Polyaromatic Capsules: Small Cavity Modification Leads to Large Change in Host–Guest Interactions

To gain insight into the host functions of a nanocavity encircled by both polyaromatic panels and heteroatoms, nitrogen‐doped polyaromatic capsules were successfully synthesized from metal ions and pyridine‐embedded, bent anthracene‐based ligands. The new capsules display unique host–guest interactions in the isolated cavities, which are distinct from those of the undoped analogues. Besides the inclusion of Ag⁺ ions, the large absorption change of fullerene C₆₀ and altered emission of a BODIPY dimer are observed upon encapsulation by the present hosts. Moreover, the N‐doped capsule exhibits specific binding ability toward progesterone and methyltestosterone, known as a natural female and synthetic male hormone, respectively, in water.     

Influence of Equilibration Time in Solution on the Inclusion/Exclusion Topology Ratio of Host–Guest Complexes Probed by Ion Mobility and Collision‐Induced Dissociation

Host–guest complexes are formed by the creation of multiple noncovalent bonds between a large molecule (the host) and smaller molecule(s) or ion(s) (the guest(s)). Ion‐mobility separation coupled with mass spectrometry nowadays represents an ideal tool to assess whether the host–guest complexes, when transferred to the gas phase upon electrospray ionization, possess an exclusion or inclusion nature. Nevertheless, the influence of the solution conditions on the nature of the observed gas‐phase ions is often not considered. In the specific case of inclusion complexes, kinetic considerations must be taken into account beside thermodynamics; the guest ingression within the host cavity can be characterized by slow kinetics, which makes the complexation reaction kinetically driven on the timescale of the experiment. This is particularly the case for the cucurbituril family of macrocyclic host molecules. Herein, we selected para‐phenylenediamine and cucurbit[6]uril as a model system to demonstrate, by means of ion mobility and collision‐induced dissociation measurements, that the inclusion/exclusion topology ratio varies as a function of the equilibration time in solution prior to the electrospray process.     

6-Hydroxyalkylamino-6-deoxy-cyclodextrins: Towards dendrimeric host-molecules

6-Perhydroxyalkylamino-6-perdeoxy--cyclodextrins have been synthesised by treating 6-perbromo-6-perdeoxy-cyclodextrins with hydroxyalkylamines. The products (1, 2) are precursors of dendrimeric cyclodextrins in which the cavity provides access for the guest to interact with the branches. A fluorescence study has demonstrated the effects of the branches on binding of anilinonaphthalene sulfonate probes. The hosts show selectivity towards guests, and pH-dependence of binding, consistent with polar interaction between guest sulfonate anions and the protonated amino groups of the dendrimeric structure.     

Investigation of homo- and heterodimer alkali metal cation complexes of resorc[4]arenes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Resorc[4]arenes are compounds with interesting properties, mainly because of their ability to form host-guest complexes with the guest located inside the cavity. The size of the guest limits the complexation, as shown by a competition experiment with tetraalkylammonium ions of different size. By electroscopy ionization tandem mass spectrometric experiments on resorc[4]arene heterodimers bearing an alkali metal ion as guest, it was found that there must be two different binding mechanisms for alkali metal ions with high surface charge density (Li(+) and Na(+)) on the one hand compared with those with a lower surface charge density on the other hand (K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+)).     

Inclusion complexes of sulphanilamide drugs and β-cyclodextrin: a theoretical approach

PM3 theoretical methodology was used to access and compare the relative stability of inclusion complexes formed by sulphadiazene, sulphisomidine, sulphamethazine and sulphanilamide with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The study predicted that (i) the heterocyclic ring is encapsulated in the hydrophobic part and aniline ring is present in the hydrophilic part of the β-CD cavity and (ii) intermolecular hydrogen bonds were formed between host and guest molecules. The negative free energy and enthalpy changes indicated that all the four inclusion complexation processes were spontaneous and enthalpy driven process. HOMO and LUMO orbital investigation confirmed that the stability increased in the inclusion complexes and also proved no significant change in the electronic structure of the guest and host molecules after complexation.     

Spectrophotometric and calorimetric titration studies on molecular recognition of camphor and borneol by nucleobase-modified beta-cyclodextrins

A series of modified beta-cyclodextrins with nucleobase substituents, that is, mono(6-ade-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin (2) and mono(6-ura-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin (3) as well as mono(6-thy-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin (4), were selected as molecular receptors to investigate their conformation and inclusion complexation behaviors with some chiral molecules, that is, (+)-camphor, (-)-camphor, (+)-borneol, and (-)-borneol, by spectrophotometric and microcalorimetric titrations in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2) at 298.15 K. Circular dichroism and NMR studies demonstrated that these nucleobase-modified beta-cyclodextrins adopted a co-inclusion mode upon complexation with guest molecules; that is, the originally self-included nucleobase substituents of the host did not move out from the beta-cyclodextrin cavity, but coexisted with guest molecule in the beta-cyclodextrin cavity upon inclusion complexation. Significantly, these nucleobase-modified beta-cyclodextrins efficiently enhanced the molecular binding ability and the chiral recognition ability of native beta-cyclodextrin, displaying enantioselectivity up to 3.7 for (+)-camphor/(-)-camphor pair by 2 and 3.5 for (-)-borneol/(+)-borneol pair by 3. The enhanced molecular/chiral recognition abilities of 2-4 toward (+/-)-camphor were mainly attributed to the increased entropic gains due to the extensive desolvation effects, while the favorable enthalpic gains originating from the good size-fit relationship as well as the hydrogen bond interactions between host and guest result in the enhanced molecular/chiral recognition abilities of 2-4 toward (+/-)-borneol.     

Molecular docking study on β-cyclodextrin Interactions of metobromuron and [3-(p-bromophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea]

The inclusion process involving β-cyclodextrin (β-cyclodextrin-CD) and phenylurea herbicide metobromuron (MB) has been investigated by using the MM+, PM3, B3LYP, HF, ONIOM2 and NBO methods. The binding and complexation energies for both orientations considered in this research are reported. The geometry of the most stable complex shows that the aromatic ring is deeply self-included inside the hydrophobic cavity of β-CD also an intermolecular hydrogen bond is established between host and guest molecules. This suggests that hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bond play an important role in the complexation process. The statistical thermodynamic calculations by PM3 demonstrate that 1:1?MB/β-CD complex is favored by a negative enthalpy change. Moreover, NBO calculations proved also that are a very useful means to quantify the interaction energies of the hydrogen bonds.     

Kinetic study for the inclusion complex of carboxylic acids with cyclodextrin by the ultrasonic relaxation method

Ultrasonic absorption coefficients in the frequency range of 0.8-95 MHz were measured in aqueous solutions containing both beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) (host) and butanoic acid (in its dissociated form and undissociated one) (guest). A single relaxational phenomenon was observed only when the solutes were coexisting, although no relaxation was found in the beta-CD solution or in the acid solutions. The absorption was also measured in a solution of pentanoic acid (dissociated form) with beta-CD, and single relaxation was detected. The ultrasonic relaxation observed in these solutions was due to a perturbation of a chemical equilibrium related to a reaction of an inclusion complex formed by the host and guest. The equilibrium constant was obtained from the dependence of the maximum absorption per wavelength on the guest concentration. The rate constant for the inclusion process of the guest into a cavity of beta-CD and that for the leaving process from the cavity were determined from the obtained relaxation frequency and the equilibrium constant. The standard volume change of the reaction was also computed from the maximum absorption per wavelength. These results were compared with those in solutions containing both beta-CD and different guest molecules. It was found that the hydrophobicity of guest molecules played an important role in the formation of the inclusion complex and also that the charge on the carboxylic group had a considerable effect on the kinetic characteristics of the complexation reaction.     

Computational study on the interactions of mustard gas with cucurbituril macrocycles

The study on the absorption of toxic gases such as mustard gas by organic host is essential to the development of inexpensive detection and decontamination equipments. Using quantum chemical methods, we propose cucurbituril as an effective host to capture mustard gas. It was found that stable complexes are formed with the inclusion of the toxic gas molecules inside the cucurbituril cavity, compared with the lateral and exterior interactions. Oxygen mustard has a comparable binding energy with sulfur mustard and hence can be used during experimental investigation. Additionally, during the inclusion complex formation, the presence of heteroatoms helps the guest molecules to undergo a larger structural reorganization to get accommodated inside the cucurbituril macromolecule. Atoms‐in‐molecules analysis shows the existence of strong intermolecular CH…O bonding between the guest molecules and cucurbituril macromolecule. The presence of an intramolecular CH…Cl type of bonding accounts for the higher stabilization of sulfur mustard inside the cucurbituril macromolecule. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Selective binding behaviors of p-sulfonatocalixarenes in aqueous solution

The complex structures, binding abilities, molecular selectivities, and thermodynamic origin of p-sulfonatocalixarenes upon complexation with kinds of guests are outlined in this review article, including inorganic cations, organic ammonium cations, pyridiniums and viologens, neutral organic molecules, dye molecules, and others. Calorimetric and spectroscopic investigations afford the complex stability constants, thermodynamic parameters and binding manners of the inclusion complexation of p-sulfonatocalixarenes with guest molecules. The π-stacking, hydrophobic and charge interactions are the main driving-forces during the course of the host–guest inclusion complexation. The molecular binding abilities and selectivities are influenced by not only the frameworks of calixarene cavities, structures of guest molecules, and their binding manners but also the conditions of solutions (mainly pH), which are discussed from the correlation between the structural features and molecular-recognition abilities. Moreover, the further applications and potentials of p-sulfonatocalixarenes are briefly described.