Li+-templated complexation of cylindrical macrotricyclic host with naphthalene diimide: Cation-controlled switchable complexation processes

Anthracene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic polyether (1) containing two dibenzo-30-crown-10 cavities has been proved to be an efficient host for the templated complexation with N,N’-dipropyl-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide in the presence of lithium ions in both solution and solid state. Host 1 could also form 1:1 complex with the bispyridinium salt with two β-hydroxyethyl groups in solution and in the solid state. Moreover, it was also found that the switchable complexation processes between the macrotricyclic host and two different kinds of guests could be chemically controlled by the addition and removal of lithium ions.     

Novel triptycene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic host: synthesis and complexation with paraquat derivatives

[reaction: see text] A novel triptycene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic polyether containing two dibenzo[24]crown-8 cavities has been synthesized and proved to be a highly efficient host for the complexation with paraquat derivatives. Consequently, a new kind of very stable pseudorotaxane-type complex was formed in solution and in the solid state.     

Coencapsulation of three different guests in a cylindrical host

Combinations of anions and organic solvent molecules were screened to give encapsulation complexes with three different guests inside.     

Guest-dependent complexation of triptycene-based macrotricyclic host with paraquat derivatives and secondary ammonium salts: a chemically controlled complexation process

The triptycene-based macrotricyclic host containing two dibenzo-[24]-crown-8 moieties has been found to form stable 1:1 or 1:2 complexes in different complexation modes with different functional paraquat derivatives and secondary ammonium salts in solution and in the solid state. Consequently, the alkyl-substituted paraquat derivatives thread the lateral crown cavities of the host to form 1:1 complexes. It was interestingly found that the paraquat derivatives containing two beta-hydroxyethyl or gamma-hydroxypropyl groups form 1:2 complexes, in which two guests thread the central cavity of the host. Other paraquat derivatives containing terminal hydroxy, methoxy, 9-anthracylmethyl, and amide groups were included in the cavity of the host to form 1:1 complexes. Moreover, the host also forms a 1:2 complex with two 9-anthracylmethylbenzylammonium salts, in which the 9-anthracyl groups were selectively positioned outside the lateral crown cavities. The competition complexation process between the host and two different guests (the propyl-substituted paraquat derivative and a dibenzylammonium salt) could be chemically controlled.     

Complexation of triptycene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic polyether toward diquaternary salts: ion-controlled binding and release of the guests

Triptycene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic polyether 1 has been proved to be an efficient host for the complexation with diquaternary salts in solution and in the solid state. Moreover, it was also found that binding and release of the guest molecules could be easily controlled by the addition and removal of potassium ions.     

Formation of ternary complexes between a macrotricyclic host and hetero-guest pairs: an acid-base controlled selective complexation process

A triptycene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic host can include diquat and electron-rich aromatics simultaneously to form stable ternary complexes, which is stabilized not only by a charge-transfer (CT) interaction between electron-rich and electron-deficient guests but also by the face to face pi-stacking interactions between the host and the guests. Moreover, a selective complexation process between a ternary complex containing benzidine and a binary complex can be effectively controlled by the use of acid and base.     

Self-assembly of triptycene-based cylindrical macrotricyclic host with dibenzylammonium ions: construction of dendritic [3]pseudorotaxanes

[reaction: see text] It was found that a cylindrical macrotricyclic host containing two dibenzo[24]crown-8 cavities could self-assemble with two dibenzylammonium salts to form a stable 1:2 complex in solution and in the solid state, in which multiple hydrogen-bonding and pi-pi stacking interactions between the host and the guest played an important role. Furthermore, a series of dendritic pseudorotaxanes were constructed and structurally studied.     

Guest-dependent complexation of triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host containing one anthracene moiety with paraquat derivatives: construction of [2]rotaxanes

Complexation between the triptycene-derived macrotricyclic polyether containing an anthracene unit and paraquat derivatives in both solution and solid state was investigated. It was found that the macrotricyclic host with multi-cavity structure could form a series of [2]pseudorotaxanes with different terminal functionalised paraquat derivatives in different threading modes, which subsequently resulted in the construction of two novel [2]rotaxanes.     

Synthesis of triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host containing two dibenzo-[18]-crown-6 moieties and its complexation with paraquat derivatives: Li(+)-ion-controlled binding and release of the guests in the complexes

A new triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host containing two dibenzo-[18]-crown-6 moieties was synthesized and shown to form 1:1 complexes with paraquat derivatives in solution, in which the guests all thread the central cavity of the host. However, it was interestingly found that, depending on the paraquat derivatives with different functional groups, the host can form stable 1:1 or 1:2 complexes in different complexation modes in the solid state, which is significantly different from those of the macrotricyclic host containing two dibenzo-[24]-crown-8 moieties. The formation of the complexes was also proved by the ESI MS and electrochemical experiments. Moreover, it was found that the binding and release of the guests in the complexes could be easily controlled by the addition and removal of lithium ions.     

Self-assembly of 1:2 inclusion complexes between a metallocycle host and dihydroxyaromatic guests: a redox controlled complexation process

Two new 1:2 inclusion complexes were prepared by self-assembly of three components: a ligand based on 4,4'-bipyridinium, a square-planar Pd complex, and a dihydroxyaromatic guest (hydroquinone or 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene) in a 2:2:2 ratio. Their X-ray structural analyses revealed that the complexes are stabilized by pi-pi stacking and [C-H...pi] interactions.     

A versatile tripodal host with cylindrical conformation: solvatomorphism, inclusion behavior, and separation of guests

Tripodal host 2,4,6-tris(1-phenyl-1H-tetrazolylsulfanylmethyl)mesitylene (TPTM) has been synthesized through a facile procedure. As expected, it adopts an all-syn cylindrical configuration, thereby delimiting an inner cavity. To explore the solvatomorphism and inclusion behavior of TPTM, a series of organic and inorganic species were employed as guests to afford 17 inclusion compounds (1, 2, 3 a-3 f, 4 a-4 i) that can be classified into four distinct forms (forms I-IV), under similar conditions. These compounds were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and (1)H NMR studies. In compound 1 with form I, one foot of a TPTM molecule inserts into the cavity of an opposite TPTM molecule to form a dimeric "hand-shake" motif with one acetonitrile molecule occupying the void. Compound 2 with form II contains three types of capsule-shaped dimers, each of which holds a CH(2)Cl(2) molecule as the guest. In compounds 3 a-3 f with form III, each pair of TPTM molecules interdigitates to form a capsule-shaped dimeric unit accommodating a guest molecule in the endo-cavity. In compounds 4 a-4 i with form IV, each TPTM molecule makes contact with three nearby TPTM molecules in a "self-including" manner to generate a graphite-like organic layer, and through further superposition to form open hexagonal channels. From the experimental and theoretical results, the intrinsic properties of guest molecules, such as size, shape, and self-interaction, can be regarded as the main factors leading to these solvatomorphism phenomena and the subtle inclusion behavior of TPTM. Thermogravimetric analyses show that the encapsulated guest molecules in these compounds can be evacuated at relatively high temperatures, and this demonstrates the outstanding inclusion capability of TPTM. In addition, for compound 4 a with benzene molecules in the channels, reversible exchange of toluene and separation of xylene isomers on single crystals have been observed.     

pH-Controlled selection between one of three guests from a mixture using a coordination cage host

We demonstrate the use of a simple pH swing to control the selection of one of three different guests from aqueous solution by a coordination cage host. Switching between different guests is based on the fact that neutral organic guests bind strongly in the cage due to the hydrophobic effect, but for acidic or basic guests, the charged (protonated or deprotonated) forms are hydrophilic and do not bind. The guests used are adamantane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (H₂A) which binds at low pH when it is neutral but not when it is deprotonated; 1-amino-adamantane (B) which binds at high pH when it is neutral but not when it is protonated; and cyclononanone (C) whose binding is not pH dependent and is therefore the default guest at neutral pH. Thus an increase in pH can reversibly switch the host between the three different bound states cage·H₂A (at low pH), cage·C (at medium pH), and cage·B (at high pH) in succession.     

Synthesis of a symmetric cylindrical bis(crown ether) host and its complexation with paraquat

The first cylindrical host for paraquat derivatives was prepared and characterized by X-ray analysis. Its complex with paraquat has 1:2 stoichiometry. The complexation is statistical and strong as shown by proton NMR characterization, electrospray mass spectrometry, and X-ray analysis.     

Influence of ligand structure and solvent effects on complexation of neutral guests by several crown ethers

The formation of complexes between crown ethers and acetonitrile, chloroform, and nitromethane were investigated in carbon tetrachloride at 25°C. A significant influence of the ring size on the selectivity of the host is evident. The host 18-crown-6 forms complexes for which the reaction enthalpy and entropy are quite high. Host molecules with benzene side groups form complexes of lower reaction enthalpy and entropy and therefore the complexes formed are less stable than that of the analogous crown ethers without aromatic groups. Solvent effects on the stability constant K, the reaction enthalpy H, and the reaction entropy S were studied for the complexation of malonitrile by 18-crown-6. The reaction enthalpy and entropy values change in accordance with the dielectric constant of the solvent used, but no overall effect on complex stability with change in solvent dielectric constant was observed.     

Simultaneously bound guests and chiral recognition: a chiral self-assembled supramolecular host encapsulates hydrophobic guests

Driven by the hydrophobic effect, a water-soluble, chiral, self-assembled supramolecular host is able to encapsulate hydrophobic organic guests in aqueous solution. Small aromatics can be encapsulated in the supramolecular assembly, and the simultaneous encapsulation of multiple species is observed in many cases. The molecular host assembly is able to recognize different substitutional isomers of disubstituted benzenes with ortho substitution leading to the encapsulation of two guests, but meta or para substitution leading to the encapsulation of only one guest. The scope of hydrophobic guest encapsulation is further explored with chiral natural products. Upon encapsulation of chiral molecules into the racemic host, diastereomeric host-guest complexes are formed with observed diastereoselectivities of up to 78:22 in the case of fenchone.     

Selective complexation of Li+ in water at neutral pH using a self-assembled ionophore

A trinuclear metallamacrocycle was obtained by assembly of a tridentate ligand and a ruthenium complex in water at neutral pH. The complex acts as a potent ionophore for lithium ions with a Li+/Na+ selectivity of 10 000:1.     

Binding neutral guests to concave surfaces of molecular hosts. Rigid structural model for complexation between two lipophilic entities

The 1:2 compound formed between a new cavitand C₄₀H₄₈Si₄O₈ [chemical name: 5,10;12,17;19,24;26,3-tetrakis(dimethylsiladioxa)-1,8,15,22-tetramethyl[1₄]metacyclophane] and CS₂ (M _r =921.42) provided a suitable structural model for a rigid inclusion complex between uncharged lipophilic molecules. The detailed structure of this compound has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction at 128 K (Crystal data:a=11.233,b=20.018,c=10.069 Å, =90.84^o,Z=2, space groupP2₁/m). Anisotropic refinement converged atR=0.040 for 3768 reflections above the intensity threshold, leading to positional and thermal parameters of a relatively high precision. The cavitand has an enforced cavity appropriately sized to include only slim linear guests. The crystallographic analysis revealed a 1:1 molecular inclusion complex with CS₂, the guest species being almost entirely encapsulated within the basket-shaped cavity of the host. The complex is stabilized by dispersion forces. All the guest atoms lie within van der Waals distances from the surrounding sections of the host and are well ordered. The second CS₂ molecule is located in the crystal lattice between molecules of the complex and is slightly disordered. Mirror plane symmetry characterizes the entire structure. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82032 (22 pages).