Highly Selective Separation of Minimum-Boiling Azeotrope Toluene/Pyridine by Nonporous Adaptive Crystals of Cucurbit[6]uril

The production of high purity toluene and pyridine is of significance in both industrial production and synthetic chemistry. The present protocols available to separate toluene/pyridine mixtures are several energy-intensive distillation methods, which are not environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Herein, we provide an energy-efficient and simple adsorptive separation protocol using nonporous adaptive crystals of cucurbit[6]uril ( Q[6] ). Q[6] crystals separate pyridine from toluene/pyridine mixtures with nearly 100 % purity. Furthermore, removal of the guest from guest-loaded Q[6] leads to the guest-free cucurbit[6]uril, which can be recycled without losing performance.     

Separation of Aromatics/Cyclic Aliphatics by Nonporous Adaptive Pillararene Crystals

The separation of cyclic aliphatics of high purity, which are produced from hydrogenation of the corresponding aromatics, is highly desired in the chemical industry. An energy‐efficient and environmentally friendly adsorptive separation method using nonporous adaptive crystals of perethylated pillar[5]arene (EtP5) and pillar[6]arene (EtP6) is described. Adaptive EtP5 crystals separate toluene from methylcyclohexane with 98.8 % purity, while adaptive EtP6 crystals separate methylcyclohexane from toluene with 99.2 % purity. The selectivities come from the stability of new EtP5 and EtP6 crystal structures upon capture of toluene and methylcyclohexane, respectively. The reversible transformations between nonporous guest‐free EtP5 or EtP6 structures and guest‐loaded structures make them highly recyclable.     

六元瓜环、对称四甲基六元瓜环与2,2'-(1,8-辛烷)-二异喹啉二溴化物的自组装模式

利用核磁共振波谱、 紫外吸收光谱、 荧光光谱和单晶X射线衍射分析等考察了六元瓜环(Q[6])及对称四甲基六元瓜环(TMeQ[6])与2,2'-(1,8-辛烷)-二异喹啉二溴化物的相互作用. 实验结果表明, 客体分子分别与这2种瓜环自组装形成相似的1∶1包结配合物, 但晶体结构分析结果表明两个体系在主客体分子间作用力诱导下形成了不同的空间堆积模式, 其包结常数分别为K_K8-Q[6]=4.18×10⁷ L/mol, K_K8-TMeQ[6]=6.11×10⁷ L/mol.     

Supramolecular assembly of cucurbit[6]uril and N-butyl-4-pyrrolidinopyridine

The nature of the supramolecular host–guest complex involving 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (BuPC4) and cucurbit[6]uril (Q[6]) has been investigated by NMR and UV spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography and isothermal titration calorimetry. The results revealed that the alkyl chain of the guest BuPC4 is located inside the cavity of the Q[6] host, whereas the other section of the BuPC4 guest remains outside of the portal.     

Inclusion of Carboxyl Function Inside of Cucurbiturils and its Use in Molecular Switches

We have prepared organic guest molecules in which two pyridinium rings are connected through an aromatic/aliphatic bridge bearing a carboxyl group. The supramolecular interactions between these guests and macrocyclic hosts cucurbit[7]uril ( CB7 ) and cucurbit[8]uril ( CB8 ) has been studied. We have demonstrated that the binding modes of the complexes depend on the type of central bridge present in the guest molecules and the size of the macrocycle. We have also showed that the binding mode between cucurbiturils and guests with aromatic bridges is pH independent. On the other hand, a guest containing an aliphatic bridge and CB7 formed a pseudorotaxane, which behaved as a pH‐driven molecular switch.     

Multilayer Films with Nanocontainers: Redox‐Controlled Reversible Encapsulation of Guest Molecules

Stable multilayer films with cucurbit[8]uril have been fabricated on the basis of the alternating layer‐by‐layer assembly of a novel side‐chain pseudopolyrotaxane and a photoreactive polyanion. The as‐prepared multilayer films exhibit good properties as surface‐imprinted multilayers, because cucurbit[8]uril molecules that are locked inside the multilayers can act as nanocontainers with specific binding to certain guest molecules, and the loading and release of the guest is redox‐controllable and reversible.     

六元瓜环与二氯化-1,8-二(2-苯并咪唑基)辛烷的自组装模式

采用¹H NMR、 荧光光谱和紫外吸收光谱法考察了主体六元瓜环与合成客体二氯化-1,8-二(2-苯并咪唑基)辛烷的自组装模式. 结果表明, 六元瓜环能与二氯化-1,8-二(2-苯并咪唑基)辛烷发生相互作用, 瓜环包结客体分子的苯并咪唑基团, 烷基链置于瓜环端口外侧. 自组装模式与主客体的摩尔比密切相关. 当主客体的摩尔比为1:1时, 1个瓜环包结客体分子的一端苯并咪唑基团形成棒槌形的包结配合物; 当主客体的摩尔比为2:1时, 2个瓜环分别包结客体分子的两端苯并咪唑基团形成哑铃型的主客体包结配合物.     

IBX Oxidation of Benzenedimethanols in the Presence of Cucurbit[8]uril

The cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) mediated oxidation of benzenedimethanols with o‐iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in aqueous solution has been investigated, and the results reveal the supramolecular catalysis depends on the electronic and geometric structure of substrate. In the cases of o‐benzenedimethanol ( 1a ) and m‐benzenedimethanol ( 1b ), the IBX oxidation could be obviously enhanced by the addition of Q[8] at different extent. There is no observation of the catalytic activity of Q[8] when p‐benzenedimethanol ( 1c ) is subjected to the IBX oxidation. The addition amount of Q[8] is discussed herein, and the addition of more than 10% mol catalyst cannot improve the oxidation much more. The investigation of host‐guest interactions by isothermal titration calorimetry implies the supramolecular catalysis is related to the formation of complexes between benzenedimethanols and cucurbit[8]uril.     

Cucurbit[5]uril, Decamethylcucurbit[5]uril and Cucurbit[6]uril. Synthesis, Solubility and Amine Complex Formation

A simple way to prepare cucurbit[5]uril is described. The macrocycles of the cucurbituril type are nearly insoluble in water. The solubilities of cucurbit[5]uril, decamethylcucurbit[5]uril and cucurbit[6]uril in hydrochloric acid, formic acid and acetic acid of different concentrations have been investigated. Due to the formation of complexes between cucurbit[n]urils and protons the solubility increases in aqueous acids. The macrocyclic ligands are able to form complexes with several organic compounds. Thus, the complex formation of the cucurbituril macrocycles with different amines has beenstudied by means of calorimetric titrations. The reaction enthalpy gives noevidence of the formation of inclusion or exclusion complexes. ¹H-NMR measurements show that in the case of cucurbit[5]uril and cucurbit[6]uril the organic guest compound is included within the hydrophobic cavity. Decamethylcucurbit[5]uril forms only exclusion complexes with organicamines. This was confirmed by the crystal structure of the decamethylcucurbit[5]uril-1,6-diaminohexane complex.     

Three‐Component Cucurbit[6]uril Framework with 1:2 Host‐Guest Motif and Dimeric Boric Acid

Three‐component framework of cucurbit[6]uril, 3‐(1‐methylimidazolium‐3‐yl)propane‐1‐sulfonate and boric acid has been constructed. The crystal structure reveals 1:2 host‐guest motif of cucurbit[6]uril and 3‐(1‐methyl‐imidazolium‐3‐yl)propane‐1‐sulfonate, demonstrating both cation binding of imidazolium moiety and anion binding of sulfonate moiety for the first time. Incorporation of dimeric boric acid facilitates the formation of metal‐free three‐dimensional framework.     

Host–guest interactions of thiabendazole with normal and modified cucurbituril: 1H NMR,phase solubility and antifungal activity studies

Guest–host inclusion complexes between thiabendazole (TBZ) and cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]), symmetrical tetra-methylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) and meta-hexamethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril (HMeQ[6]) in aqueous solution were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and phase solubility studies. The antifungal activities of the inclusion complexes were also determined. Analysis of the ¹H NMR spectra revealed that the host Q[7] selectively binds the benzimidazole ring moiety of the guest molecule and that the thiazole ring is encapsulated into the cavities of TMeQ[6] and HMeQ[6]. Phase solubility diagrams were analysed using rigorous procedures to obtain estimates of the complex formation constants for Q[n]-TBZ complexation. The phase solubility studies showed that TBZ solubility increased as a function of Q[7], TMeQ[6] and HMeQ[6] concentrations. We found that complexation of TBZ with Q[n] increased the inhibitory effect of TBZ on the growth of Fusarium graminearum. Our results thus demonstrate that complexation of TBZ with Q[n] could be used to improve the solubility and antifungal activity of TBZ.     

Opposing substitution in cucurbit[6]urils forms ellipsoid cavities: the symmetrical dicyclohexanocucurbit[6]uril is no exception highlighted by inclusion and exclusion complexes

The symmetrical dicyclohexanocucurbit[6]uril has been synthesised by the controlled condensation of the diether of cyclohexanoglycoluril (1) and the dimer of glycoluril (2). The symmetrical dicyclohexanocucurbit[6]uril, (CyH)₂Q[6], characterised by the ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ESMS and further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction of a cobalt aqua exclusion complex, which demonstrates an ellipsoid cavity. Within a cucurbit[6]uril ellipsoid cavity, an inclusion complex of 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine adopts a preferred orientation, aligning with the longest axis. The ellipsoid cavity is further supported by semiempirical AM1 gas phase calculations.

Preferential orientation of a guest within the ellipsoid cavity of the symmetrical dicyclohexanocucurbit[6]uril     

六元和七元瓜环与两类端邻苯二甲酰亚胺基紫精轮烷的组装及性质

设计合成了2种不同碳链长度的客体分子1,1'-二甲基邻苯二甲酰亚胺基-4,4'-联吡啶溴化物 (G1)和1,1'-二丁基邻苯二甲酰亚胺基-4,4'-联吡啶溴化物(G2). 利用紫外-可见吸收光谱、 核磁共振波谱和等温滴定量热等方法研究了客体分子G1和G2与六元(Q[6])和七元瓜环(Q[7])的超分子自组装方式. 结果表明, 在加热回流情况下G1与Q[6]利用滑移法能与紫精基团包结形成[2]轮烷结构, 而Q[7]在常温下就能滑过封端基团邻苯二甲酰亚胺与紫精基团包结形成[2]准轮烷结构.     

Fuel‐Driven Transient Crystallization of a Cucurbit[8]uril‐Based Host–Guest Complex

Transient self‐assembling systems often suffer from accumulation of chemical wastes that interfere with the formation of pristine self‐assembled products in subsequent cycles. Herein, we report the transient crystallization of a cucurbit[8]uril‐based host‐guest complex, preventing the accumulation of chemical wastes. Base‐catalyzed thermal decarboxylation of trichloroacetic acid that chemically fuels the crystallization process dissolves the crystals, and produces volatile chemical wastes that are spontaneously removed from the solution. With such self‐clearance process, no significant damping in the formation of the crystals was observed. The morphology and structural integrity of the crystals was also maintained in subsequent cycles. The concept may be further extended to obtain other temporally functional materials, quasicrystals, etc., based on stimuli‐responsive guest molecules.     

水-盐酸两步法分离瓜环混合物

根据各元瓜环在水和盐酸两种溶剂中溶解度的不同, 提出了一种通过水-盐酸两步分离混合瓜环的方法. 探讨了溶剂用量、盐酸浓度等因素对分离效果的影响, 确定了最佳的分离工艺条件, 使CB[5], CB[6], CB[7]和CB[8]的分离产率分别达到78.9%, 92.0%, 88.0%和75.0%. 分离得到的瓜环单体经核磁共振检测, 纯度在95%以上, 其中CB[5]的纯度达到98%. 研究结果表明, 本工艺是一种简单有效的分离混合瓜环的方法.     

Controllable fabrication of a supramolecular polymer incorporating twisted cucurbit[14]uril and cucurbit[8]uril via self-sorting

A linear supramolecular polymer with controllable features based on twisted cucurbit[14]uril (tQ[14]) and cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) was firstly fabricated via an effective self-sorting strategy. Herein we designed a monomer, 1?butyl?1′-(naphthalen- 2-ylmethyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium bromide (BNB), that contains bipyridyl, aliphatic butyl and aromatic naphthyl groups, simultaneously. Two host molecules, tQ[14] and Q[8] were employed to develop an effective strategy for constructing a linear supramolecular polymer with controllable features. The alkyl groups on both sides of BNB could insert into the two cavities of tQ[14], the naphthyl part of BNB via π-π stacking in Q[8] cavity, serving as the driving force for supramolecular polymerization. Through self-sorting of the monomer, tQ[14] and Q[8], led to the formation of the linear supramolecular polymer. Depolymerization could be achieved by addition of adamantane hydrochloride (AH) which driven two BNB guest molecules out of the Q[8] cavity. This self-sorting strategy has great potential, not only for designing supramolecular polymer materials with different controllable structures through introduction of multiple functional groups, but also for broadening the application of twisted cucurbit[14]uril in supramolecular chemistry.     

Host–guest complexes of some cucurbit[n]urils with the hydrochloride salts of some imidazole derivatives

Interaction between the normal cucurbit[n]urils (n = 6,7,8; Q[6], Q[7], Q[8]) and a sym-tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derivative (TMeQ[6]) with the hydrochloride salts of some imidazole derivatives N-(4-hydroxylphenyl)imidazole (g1), N-(4-aminophenyl)imidazole (g2), 2-phenylimidazole (g3) in aqueous solution was investigated by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as by using a single crystal X-ray diffraction determination. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis established a basic interaction model in which inclusion complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 forms for the Q[6]s and Q[7] cases, while with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 form for the Q[8] cases. It was common that the hosts selectively bound the phenyl moiety of the guests. Absorption spectrophotometric and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis in aqueous solution defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes at pH 5.8 with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 form quantitatively as logK values between 4 and 5 for the smaller hosts Q[6 or 7]s, while with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 form quantitatively as logK values between 11 and 12 for the host Q[8]. Two single crystal X-ray structures of the inclusion complexes TMeQ[6]-g2 · HCl and TMeQ[6]-g3 · HCl showed the phenyl moiety of these two guests inserted into the host cavity, which supported particularly the ¹H NMR spectroscopic study in solution.     

Dihalobenzene Shape Sorting by Nonporous Adaptive Crystals of Perbromoethylated Pillararenes

The separation of dihalobenzene isomers, such as dichlorobenzene isomers and difluorobenzene isomers, has a high practical value in both synthetic chemistry and industrial production. Herein we provide a simple to operate and energy‐efficient adsorptive separation method using nonporous adaptive crystals of perbromoethylated pillar[5]arene ( BrP5 ) and pillar[6]arene ( BrP6 ). BrP6 crystals show a preference towards the ortho isomer of dichlorobenzene in isomer mixtures, but cannot discriminate difluorobenzene isomers. Single‐crystal structures reveal that this selectivity is derived from the stability of the new host–guest crystal structure of BrP6 after uptake of the preferred guest and the binding strength of the host–guest interactions. Furthermore, because of the reversible transition between guest‐free and guest‐loaded structures, BrP6 crystals are recyclable.     

Host-guest interaction tailored cucurbit[6]uril-based supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) for drug delivery

An approach for the construction of crystalline porous supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) via outer-surface interactions of cucurbit[6]uril (Q[6]) with high yield is presented. This approach enables the noncovalent integration of guest molecules into ordered topologies and creates new host–guest-complex-based SOFs; i.e., the topology can be predesigned and constructed by using [ZnCl₄]^2? anions to induce the formation of solid Q[6]-SOFs, and the pore wall surface can be easily modified by the Q[6]-encapsulated guest molecules. In addition, one of prepared solid Q[6]-SOFs showed a high drug-loading capacity and smart potential release control for drug-delivery applications     

Host–guest complexes of various cucurbit[n]urils with the hydrochloride salt of 2,4-diaminoazobenzene

The interaction products of normal cucurbit[n]urils (n = 7, 8; Q[7] Q[8]) and a sym- tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derivative (TMeQ[6]) with the hydrochloride salts of 2,4-diaminoazobenzene (g·HCl) were investigated in aqueous solution using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis established a basic interaction model in which inclusion complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1 form for the TMeQ[6] and Q[7] cases, while they form with a host:guest ratio of 1:2 for the Q[8] case. Commonly, the hosts selectively bound to the phenyl moieties of the guests. Absorption spectrophotometric analysis in aqueous solution defined the stability of the host–guest inclusion complexes at pH 3.2. Quantitatively, at this pH, complexes with a host:guest ratio of 1:1—those with smaller hosts TMeQ[6] and Q[7]—formed with logK values between 6 and 7. That with host Q[8] and a host:guest ratio of 1:2 formed with a logK value of 10.8. Single crystal X-ray structures of the inclusion complexes TMeQ[6]–g·HCl and Q[8]–g·HCl showed the phenyl moiety of the guest inserted into the host cavity. This result supports the solution-based ¹H NMR spectroscopic study.