A Supramolecular Naphthalene Diimide Radical Anion with Efficient NIR-II Photothermal Conversion for E. coli-Responsive Photothermal Therapy

We report a supramolecular naphthalene diimide (NDI) radical anion with efficient NIR-II photothermal conversion for E. coli-responsive photothermal therapy. The supramolecular radical anion (NDI-2CB[7])⋅⁻, which is obtained from the E. coli-induced in situ reduction of NDI-2CB[7] neutral complex, formed by the host–guest interaction between an NDI derivative and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), exhibits unexpectedly strong NIR-II absorption and remarkable photothermal conversion capacity in aqueous solution. The NIR-II absorption is caused by the self-assembly of NDI radical anions to form supramolecular dimer radicals in aqueous solution, which is supported by theoretically predicted spectra. The (NDI-2CB[7])⋅⁻ demonstrates excellent NIR-II photothermal antimicrobial activity (>99 %). This work provides a new approach for constructing NIR-II photothermal agents and non-contact treatments for bacterial infections.     

Formation of aqua and tetraammine Cu(II) complexes inside the cavities of cucurbit[6,8]urils: A DFT forecast

Results of DFT calculations of the structure and thermodynamics of formation of aqua and tetraammine Cu(II) complexes inside CB[n] (n = 6,8) are presented in this study. Formation thermodynamics of the complexes in the cavitands was evaluated by taking into account the most probable number of water molecules inside CB[n]. In this methodology, the complexation was first considered as a substitution reaction in which the guest complex displaces partially or completely the water molecules that are located inside the cavity. The water molecules present in the cavitand were shown to play an important role in the fixation of the guest complex inside the cavity due to the hydrogen bonds with the oxygen portals. The hydration of Cu(II) ion inside CB[6] leads to the formation of an inclusion compound with the formula {[Cu(H₂O)₄]²⁺·2H₂O}@CB[6] while in CB[8] {[Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺·4H₂O}@CB[8] is formed. For the binding of tetraammine Cu(II) complex, CB[8] was determined to be a significantly more suitable “container” than CB[6]. Both a direct embedding of this complex into the CB[8] and another mechanism in which ammonia molecules replace the water molecules in the Cu(II) aqua complex, preexisting in CB[8] were determined to be thermodynamically possible. Both these lead to the formation of the resultant inclusion compound described by the formula {[Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺·4H₂O}@CB[8].     

Determination of L‐Cystine by a New Sensitive Cucurbit[7]uril/palmatine Probe

In the presence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), the CB[7] could react with palmatine, which served as a sensitive fluorescence probe, to form host‐guest stable complexes and the fluorescence intensity of the complexes was greatly enhanced. The fluorescence intensity decreased linearly with an increasing number of L‐cystine in the inclusion system. The experimental results show that there exists a competition between L‐cystine and palmatine for the CB[7] hydrophobic cavity and L‐cystine occupies the space of CB[7] cavity, leading palmatine molecules to be forced to reside in the aqueous environment. Based on the fluorescence quenching of the CB[7]/palmatine complexes resulting from complex formation between CB[7] and L‐cystine, a spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of L‐cystine in aqueous solution in the presence of CB[7] was developed. The linear relationship between the corresponding values of the fluorescence quenching ΔF and L‐cystine concentration was obtained in the range of 6.0 to 1.5×10³ ng·mL^?1, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9996. The detection limit was 2.0 ng·mL^?1. The application of the present method to the determination of L‐cystine in tablets gave satisfactory results. This paper also discussed the mechanism of the fluorescence indicator probe.     

From Packed “Sandwich” to “Russian Doll”: Assembly by Charge‐Transfer Interactions in Cucurbit[10]uril

As the host possessing the largest cavity in the cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family, CB[10] has previously displayed unusual recognition and assembly properties with guests but much remains to be explored. Herein, we present the recognition properties of CB[10] toward a series of bipyridinium guests including the tetracationic cyclophane known as blue box along with electron‐rich guests and detail the influence of encapsulation on the charge‐transfer interactions between guests. For the mono‐bipyridinium guest (methylviologen, MV ²⁺), CB[10] not only forms 1:1 and 1:2 inclusion complexes, but also enhances the charge‐transfer interactions between methylviologen and dihydroxynaphthalene ( HN ) by mainly forming the 1:2:1 packed “sandwich” complex (CB[10] ? 2 MV ²⁺ ?HN ). For guest 1 with two bipyridinium units, an interesting conformational switching from linear to “U” shape is observed by adding catechol to the solution of CB[10] and the guest. For the tetracationic cyclophane‐blue box, CB[10] forms a stable 1:1 inclusion complex; the two bipyridinium units tilt inside the cavity of CB[10] according to the X‐ray crystal structure. Finally, a supramolecular “Russian doll” was built up by threading a guest through the cavities of both blue box and CB[10].     

Cucurbit[7]uril moving on side chains of polypseudorotaxanes: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

Novel side chain polypseudorotaxanes with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) threaded onto the side chains are synthesized from a water‐soluble polymer and CB[7] in water by simple stirring at room temperature. CB[7] beads could move from the hexyl groups to the benzyl and a part of viologen units in the side chains of polymer when the molar ratio of CB[7] to the monomer reaches from 1 to 2 as shown by ¹H NMR studies, and it is considered that the hydrophobic and charge‐dipole interactions of CB[7] are the driving forces. The sizes of the polypseudorotaxanes with different molar ratio of CB[7] to 4VBVHeP in aqueous solution increase with increasing the molar ratio of CB[7] to 4VBVHeP as found by DLS and resonance light scattering, while the typical cyclic voltammograms and UV–vis data indicate that CB[7] are not threaded in the viologen units of P4VBVHeP, and the oxidation reduction characteristic of the polymer is remarkably affected by the addition of CB[7]. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

The Host-Guest Chemistry of Proflavine with Cucurbit[6,7,8]urils

The binding of the polyaromatic guest, 3,6-diaminoacridine (Proflavine) to cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) where n = 6, 7 and 8 has been studied by fluorescence spectrophotometry and binding constants determined using a least squares fitting method. Titration of CB[8] into a solution of Proflavine results in a 95% decrease in fluorescence up to a CB[8] to Proflavine ratio of 2:1. From the induced fluorescence spectra a binding constant of 1.9 × 10⁷ M^? 1 was determined. When Proflavine is titrated into a solution of CB[8] a similar binding constant is calculated (1.3 × 10⁷ M^? 1). Titration of CB[6] into a solution of Proflavine yields a decrease in fluorescence of 18–20%, but no binding is observed beyond what is seen within experimental error. Finally, titration of CB[7] into a solution of Proflavine results in an increase in fluorescence (32%) and a blue-shift of the emission wavelength from 509 nm to 485 nm. From the induced fluorescence spectra a binding constant of 1.65 × 10⁷ M^? 1 was determined. From ¹H NMR it appears that the decrease in fluorescence for Proflavine with CB[6] and CB[8] is due to collisional quenching, whereas the increase in fluorescence with CB[7] may be due to rotational restriction.     

The Origin of the Room‐Temperature Stability of [TTF].+⋅⋅⋅[TTF].+ Long,Multicenter Bonds Found in Functionalized π‐[R‐TTF]22+ Dimers Included in the Cucurbit[8]uril Cavity

A computational study is performed to identify the origin of the room‐temperature stability, in aqueous solution, of functionalized π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺ dimers (TTF=tetrathiafulvalene; R=(CH₂OCH₂)₅CH₂OH) included in the cavity of a cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) molecule. π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺ dimers in pure water are weakly stable, and are mostly dissociated at room temperature. Upon addition of CB[8] to an aqueous π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺ solution, a (π‐[R‐TTF]₂?CB[8])²⁺ inclusion complex is formed. The same complex is obtained after the sequential inclusion of two [R‐TTF]^.+ monomers in the CB[8] molecule. Both processes are thermodynamically and kinetically allowed. π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺ dimers dissolved in pure water present a [TTF]^.+???[TTF]^.+ long, multicenter bond, similar to that already identified in π‐[TTF]₂²⁺ dimers dissolved in organic solvents. Upon their inclusion in CB[8], the strength and other features of the [TTF]^.+???[TTF]^.+ long, multicenter bond are preserved. The room temperature stability of the π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺ dimers included in CB[8] is shown to originate in the π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺???CB[8] interaction, the strength of which comes from a strongly attractive electrostatic component and a dispersion component. Such a dominant electrostatic term is caused by the strongly polarized charge distribution in CB[8], the geometrical complementarity of the π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺ and CB[8] geometries, and the amplifying effect of the 2+ charge in π‐[R‐TTF]₂²⁺.     

Cucurbit[7]uril complexations of bis(isoquinolinium)alkane dications in aqueous solution

The 1:1 and 2:1 host–guest complexation of a series of 1,n-bis(isoquinolinium)alkane dications (Iq(CH₂)_nIq²⁺, n = 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12, and Iq(p-xylene)Iq²⁺) by cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) in aqueous solution has been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. The site of binding of the first CB[7] is dependent on the nature of the central linker group, with encapsulation of the p-xylene group or the polymethylene chain when n = 6–10.With shorter (n = 2–5) or longer (n = 12) chains, the first CB[7] binds over an isoquinolinium group. With a second CB[7], the binding of the central group is abandoned in favour of the CB[7] hosts encapsulating the two cationic isoquinolinium termini. The 1:1 and 2:1 host–guest stability constants are related to modes of binding and the nature of the central linkers, and are compared with dicationic guests bearing different terminal groups.     

Cucurbituril‐Modulated Supramolecular Assemblies: From Cyclic Oligomers to Linear Polymers

Employing bis(p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arenes) (bisSC4A) and N′,N′′hexamethylenebis(1‐methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium) (HBV⁴⁺) as monomer building blocks, the assembly morphologies can be modulated by cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) (n=7, 8), achieving the interesting topological conversion from cyclic oligomers to linear polymers. The binary supramolecular assembly fabricated by HBV⁴⁺ and bisSC4A units, forms an oligomeric structure, which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) experiments. The ternary supramolecular polymer participated by CB[8] is constructed on the basis of host–guest interactions by bisSC4A and the [2]pseudorotaxane HBV⁴⁺@CB[8], which is characterized by means of AFM, DLS, NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV/Vis spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. CB[n] plays vital roles in rigidifying the conformation of HBV⁴⁺, and reinforcing the host–guest inclusion of bisSC4A with HBV⁴⁺, which prompts the formation of a linear polymer. Moreover, the CB[8]‐participated ternary assembly could disassemble into the molecular loop HBV²⁺@CB[8] and free bisSC4A after reduction of HBV⁴⁺ to HBV²⁺, whereas the CB[7]‐based assembly remained unchanged after the reduction. CB[8] not only controlled the topological conversion of the supramolecular assemblies, but also improved the redox‐responsive assembly/disassembly property practically.     

Cucurbit[7]uril: A High‐Affinity Host for Encapsulation of Amino Saccharides and Supramolecular Stabilization of Their α‐Anomers in Water

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), an uncharged and water‐soluble macrocyclic host, binds protonated amino saccharides (D ‐glucosamine, D ‐galactosamine, D ‐mannosamine and 6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐D ‐glucose) with excellent affinity (K_a=10³ to 10⁴ M ^?1). The host–guest complexation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and MALDI‐TOF mass spectral analyses. NMR analyses revealed that the amino saccharides, except D ‐mannosamine, are bound as α‐anomers within the CB[7] cavity. ITC analyses reveal that CB[7] has excellent affinity for binding amino saccharides in water. The maximum affinity was observed for D ‐galactosamine hydrochloride (K_a=1.6×10⁴ M ^?1). Such a strong affinity for any saccharide in water using a synthetic receptor is unprecedented, as is the supramolecular stabilization of an α‐anomer by the host.     

Pseudo[n,m]rotaxanes of Cucurbit[7/8]uril and Viologen‐Naphthalene Derivative: A Precise Definition of Rotaxane

Rotaxane is a kind of classic supramolecule, which is usually constructed from a number of macrocycles and one axis molecule. Herein, we have expanded the supramolecular structure of [n]rotaxane to offer a precise definition of (pseudo)[n,m]rotaxane for accurately describing the two kinds of (pseudo)rotaxanes structures, which are self‐assembled from cucurbit[7/8]uril (CB[7/8]) and viologen‐naphthalene derivative, respectively. Furthermore, these CB‐based pseudorotaxanes exhibit varied photophysical properties, stimuli‐responsive behavior triggered by competitive guest, and self‐sorting behavior.     

Tunable Water‐Soluble Supramolecular Polymers by Visible‐Light‐Regulated Host–Guest Interactions

The development of artificial self‐assembling systems with dynamic photo‐regulation features in aqueous solutions has drawn great attention owing to the potential applications in fabricating elaborate biological materials. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of water‐soluble cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8])‐mediated supramolecular polymers by connecting the fluorinated azobenzene (FAB) containing monomers through host‐enhanced heteroternary π–π stacking interactions. Benefiting from the unique visible‐light‐induced E→Z photoisomerization of the FAB photochromophores, the encapsulation behaviors between the CB[8] macrocycle and the monomers could be regulated upon visible light irradiation, resulting in the depolymerization of such CB[8]‐mediated supramolecular polymers.     

Transformative Supramolecular Vesicles Based on Acid-Degradable Acyclic Cucurbit[n]uril and a Prodrug for Promoted Tumoral-Cell Uptake

Smart supramolecular vesicles constructed by host–guest interactions between “acid-degradable” acyclic cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) and a doxorubicin prodrug are reported. “Acid-degradable” acyclic CB[n] is a high-affinity host for several common antitumor drugs, and its degradation leads to a more dramatic decrease in binding affinity than that observed for “acid-sensitive” hosts. Supramolecular complexation between acid-degradable acyclic CB[n] and a doxorubicin prodrug resulted in the formation of negatively charged supramolecular vesicles. The prodrug strategy allowed doxorubicin to be conjugated to vesicles in a stable manner with a high drug-loading ratio of 20 %. The resulting supramolecular vesicles were responsive to tumor acidity (pH 6.5). Induced by mildly acidic conditions (pH 6.5–5.5), acid-degradable acyclic CB[n] could be degraded, and this led to a vesicle-to-micelle transition to form positively charged micelles. This transition resulted in a pH-dependent change in size and surface charge, which improved tumoral-cell uptake for doxorubicin.     

Isolated supramolecular [Ru(bpy)3]-viologen-[Ru(bpy)3] complexes with trapped CB[7,8] and photoinduced electron-transfer study in nonaqueous solution

The synthesis of two supramolecular diruthenium complexes, 1 ?CB[7] and 1 ?CB[8] (CB[n]=cucurbit[n]uril), which contain the respective host CB[7] and CB[8], were synthesized and isolated. In the case of host CB[8], the desired supramolecular complex was obtained by utilizing dihydroxynapthalene as a template during the synthesis. The ¹H NMR spectra, electrochemistry, and photochemistry of these supramolecular complexes were performed in nonaqueous solution. The results show that both CB[7,8] hosts mainly bind to the linker part in solution in acetonitrile. This binding also lowers the oxidation potential of the ruthenium metal center and hinders the quenching effect by the viologen moiety. It has also been shown that external methylviologen can be included into 1 ?CB[8]. Analysis with NMR spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and photochemistry clearly shows a viologen radical dimer formation between the bound viologen and free methylviologen, thereby showing that the unique abilities of the CB[8] host can be utilized even in nonaqueous solution.     

Coordination of Alkaline Earth Metal Ions in the Inverted Cucurbit[7]uril Supramolecular Assemblies Formed in the Presence of [ZnCl4]2− and [CdCl4]2−

A convenient method to isolate inverted cucurbit[7]uril (iQ[7]) from a mixture of water‐soluble Q[n]s was established by eluting the soluble mixture of Q[n]s on a Dowex (H⁺ form) column so that iQ[7] could be selected as a ligand for coordination and supramolecular assembly with alkaline earth cations (AE²⁺) in aqueous HCl solutions in the presence of [ZnCl₄]^2? and [CdCl₄]^2? anions as structure‐directing agents. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that both iQ[7]–AE²⁺–[ZnCl₄]^2?–HCl and iQ[7]–AE²⁺–[CdCl₄]^2?–HCl interaction systems yielded supramolecular assemblies, in which the [ZnCl₄]^2? and [CdCl₄]^2? anions presented a honeycomb effect, and this resulted in the formation of linear iQ[7]/AE²⁺ coordination polymers through outer‐surface interactions of Q[n]s.     

Side‐chain polypseudorotaxanes by threading cucurbit[7]uril onto poly‐N‐n‐butyl‐N′‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium bromide chloride: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

A novel side‐chain polypseudorotaxanes P4VBVBu/CB[7] was synthesized from poly‐N‐n‐butyl‐N′‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium bromide chloride (P4VBVBu) and cucurbit [7]uril (CB[7]) in water by simple stirring at room temperature. CB[7] beads are localized on viologen units in side chains of polypseudorotaxanes as shown by ¹H NMR, IR, XRD, and UV–vis studies, and it is considered that the hydrophobic and charge‐dipole interactions are the driving forces. TGA data show that thermal stability of the polypseudorotaxanes increases with the adding of CB[7] threaded. DLS data show that P4VBVBu and CB[7] could form polypseudorotaxanes, and the average hydrodynamic radius of the polypseudorotaxanes increases with increasing the concentration of CB[7]. The typical cyclic voltammograms indicate that the oxidation reduction characteristic of P4VBVBu is remarkably affected by the addition of CB[7] because of the formation of polypseudorotaxanes and the shielding effects of CB[7] threaded on the viologen units of polypseudorotaxanes. With the increase of the concentration of KBr or K₂SO₄, the formation of the polypseudorotaxanes was inhibited due to the shielding effects of both Br^? or SO to viologen ion and K⁺ to CB[7] by UV–vis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2135–2142, 2010     

Supramolecular Polymerization Promoted and Controlled through Self‐Sorting

A new method in which supramolecular polymerization is promoted and controlled through self‐sorting is reported. The bifunctional monomer containing p‐phenylene and naphthalene moieties was prepared. Supramolecular polymerization is promoted by selective recognition between the p‐phenylene group and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), and 2:1 complexation of the naphthalene groups with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). The process can be controlled by tuning the CB[7] content. This development will enrich the field of supramolecular polymers with important advances towards the realization of molecular‐weight and structural control.     

Dynamic Interfacial Adhesion through Cucurbit[n]uril Molecular Recognition

Supramolecular building blocks, such as cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n])‐based host–guest complexes, have been extensively studied at the nano‐ and microscale as adhesion promoters. Herein, we exploit a new class of CB[n]‐threaded highly branched polyrotaxanes (HBP‐CB[n]) as aqueous adhesives to macroscopically bond two wet surfaces, including biological tissue, through the formation of CB[8] heteroternary complexes. The dynamic nature of these complexes gives rise to adhesion with remarkable toughness, displaying recovery and reversible adhesion upon mechanical failure at the interface. Incorporation of functional guests, such as azobenzene moieties, allows for stimuli‐activated on‐demand adhesion/de‐adhesion. Macroscopic interfacial adhesion through dynamic host–guest molecular recognition represents an innovative strategy for designing the next generation of functional interfaces, biomedical devices, tissue adhesives, and wound dressings.     

Cobalt‐mediated catalytic chain‐transfer polymerization (CCTP) in water and water/alcohol solution

This article describes the use of cobalt‐mediated catalytic chain transfer in aqueous solution under fed conditions for the preparation of macromonomers of acidic, hydroxy, and zwitterionic functional monomers. Use of a batch reaction leads to hydrolysis of catalyst, a mixture of mechanisms and poor control of the reaction. A feed process is described that adds catalyst as a solution in monomer over the course of the reaction. The feed process is applied to a range of monomers of methacrylic acid ( 2 ), 2‐aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride ( 3 ), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate ( 4 ), 2‐methacryloxyethyl phosphoryl choline ( 5 ), glycerol monomethyl methacrylate ( 6 ), and 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐glucofuranose ( 7 ). Use of the feed process for water‐soluble monomers in conjunction with 1 as a catalytic chain‐transfer agent gives high‐conversion, > 90%, water‐soluble macromonomers. The number‐average molecular mass (M_n was determined by integration of the ¹H NMR spectrum comparing the vinylic end group with the remainder of the backbone. Pseudo‐Mayo plots were constructed by measuring the M_n at high conversion as a function of [monomer]/[catalyst] to give observed chain‐transfer constants of 1120, 958, and 1058 for 4, 6, and 2, respectively. All products were obtained as relatively high‐solid, homogeneous, low‐viscosity aqueous solutions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2378–2384, 2001     

Photophysical properties of aqueous solutions of a styryl dye in the presence of cucurbit[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]uril (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 5, 6, 8)

Photophysical properties of aqueous solutions of the styryl dye 4-[(E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-ethylpyridinium] perchlorate (1) in the presence of cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]; n = 5, 6, 8) have been studied by fluorescent spectroscopy methods. The fluorescence intensity of a 10^–6 mol L^–1 solution of 1 increases by a factor of 12.6 upon the formation of 1 : 1 inclusion complexes with CB[6] or 1.3 in complexes with CB[8]. Upon the formation of inclusion complexes, the average lifetime of the electronically excited state of 1 increases to about 1 ns for both CB[6] and CB[8]. On the basis of fluorescence anisotropy measurements, the rotational relaxation times were estimated to be 408, 314, and 183 ps for the complexes with CB[6], CB[8], and for unbound 1, respectively. Using the fluorescence titration method developed for the case of poorly soluble cavitands, the binding constant of 1 with CB[6] was determined to be 1.1 × 10⁵ L mol^–1. The addition of CB[5] does not lead to changes in the photophysical properties of a solution of 1, indicating the absence of complexes between CB[5] and 1. It has been found on the basis of the experimental data that the fluorescence rate constant of 1 decreases about twice in the complex with CB[8], but doubles in the complex with CB[6].