The cucurbit[n]uril family: prime components for self-sorting systems

We determined the values of Ka for a wide range of host-guest complexes of cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]), where n = 6-8, using 1H NMR competition experiments referenced to absolute binding constants measured by UV/vis titration. We find that the larger homologues--CB[7] and CB[8]--individually maintain the size, shape, and functional group selectivity that typifies the recognition behavior of CB[6]. The cavity of CB[7] is found to effectively host trimethylsilyl groups. Remarkably, the values of Ka for the interaction of CB[7] with adamantane derivatives 22-24 exceeds 10(12) M(-1)! The high levels of selectivity observed for each CB[n] individually is also observed for the CB[n] family collectively. That is, the selectivities of CB[6], CB[7], and CB[8] toward a common guest can be remarkably large. For example, guests 1, 3, and 11 prefer CB[8] relative to CB[7] by factors greater than 10(7), 10(6), and 3000, respectively. Conversely, guests 23 and 24 prefer CB[7] relative to CB[8] by factors greater than 5100 and 990, respectively. The high levels of selectivity observed individually and collectively for the CB[n] family renders them prime components for the preparation of functional biomimetic self-sorting systems.     

Complexation of ferrocene derivatives by the cucurbit[7]uril host: a comparative study of the cucurbituril and cyclodextrin host families

The formation of inclusion complexes between cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and ferrocene and its derivatives has been investigated. The X-ray crystal structure of the 1:1 inclusion complex between ferrocene and CB[7] revealed that the guest molecule resides in the host cavity with two different orientations. Inclusion of a set of five water-soluble ferrocene derivatives in CB[7] was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy and calorimetric and voltammetric techniques. Our data indicate that all neutral and cationic guests form highly stable inclusion complexes with CB[7], with binding constants in the 10(9)-10(10) M(-)(1) and 10(12)-10(13) M(-1) ranges, respectively. However, the anionic ferrocenecarboxylate, the only negatively charged guest among those surveyed, was not bound by CB[7] at all. These results are in sharp contrast to the known binding behavior of the same guests to beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), since all the guests form stable inclusion complexes with beta-CD, with binding constants in the range 10(3)-10(4) M(-1). The electrostatic surface potentials of CB[6], CB[7], and CB[8] and their size-equivalent CDs were calculated and compared. The CD portals and cavities exhibit low surface potential values, whereas the regions around the carbonyl oxygens in CBs are significantly negative, which explains the strong affinity of CBs for positively charged guests and also provides a rationalization for the rejection of anionic guests. Taken together, our data suggest that cucurbiturils may form very stable complexes. However, the host-guest interactions are very sensitive to some structural features, such as a negatively charged carboxylate group attached to the ferrocene residue, which may completely disrupt the stability of the complexes.     

Inclusion complexation of diquat and paraquat by the hosts cucurbit[7]uril and cucurbit[8]uril

The binding interactions in aqueous solution between the dicationic guest diquat (DQ(2+)) and the cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) hosts were investigated by (1)H NMR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy; mass spectrometry; single-crystal X-ray diffraction; and electrochemical techniques. The binding data were compared with previously reported results for the related paraquat guest (PQ(2+)). DQ(2+) was found to bind poorly (K=350 m(-1)) inside CB7 and more effectively (K=4.8 x 10(4) m(-1)) inside CB8. One-electron reduction led to increased binding affinity with both hosts (K(r)=1 x 10(4) m(-1) with CB7 and K(r)=6 x 10(5) m(-1) for CB8). While (1)H NMR spectroscopic data revealed that DQ(2+) is not fully included by CB7, the crystal structure of the CB8DQ(2+) complex-obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction-clearly establishes its inclusion nature. Overall, both diquat and its one-electron reduced radical cation are bound more effectively by CB8 than by CB7. In contrast to this, paraquat exhibits selectivity for CB7, but its radical cation forms a highly stable dimer inside CB8. These differences highlight the pronounced sensitivity of cucurbit[n]uril hosts to guest features such as charge, charge distribution and shape.     

Guest binding dynamics with cucurbit[7]uril in the presence of cations

The binding dynamics of R-(+)-2-naphthyl-1-ethylammonium cation (NpH(+)) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) was investigated. Competitive binding with Na(+) or H(3)O(+) cations enabled the reaction to be slowed down sufficiently for the kinetics to be studied by fluorescence stopped-flow experiments. The binding of two Na(+) cations to CB[7], i.e., CB[7]·Na(+) (K(01) = 130 ± 10 M(-1)) and Na(+)·CB[7]·Na(+) (K(02) = 21 ± 2 M(-1)), was derived from the analysis of binding isotherms and the kinetic studies. NpH(+) binds only to free CB[7] ((1.06 ± 0.05) × 10(7) M(-1)), and the association rate constant of (6.3 ± 0.3) × 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) is 1 order of magnitude lower than that for a diffusion-controlled process and much higher than the association rate constant previously determined for other CB[n] systems. The high equilibrium constant for the NpH(+)@CB[7] complex is a consequence of the slow dissociation rate constant of 55 s(-1). The kinetics results showed that formation of a complex between a positively charged guest with CB[n] can occur at a rate close to the diffusion-controlled limit with no detection of a stable exclusion complex.     

A host-induced intramolecular charge-transfer complex and light-driven radical cation formation of a molecular triad with cucurbit[8]uril

The host-guest chemistry of systems containing a molecular triad Ru(bpy) 3-MV (2+)-naphthol complex (denoted as Ru (2+)-MV (2+)-Np, 1) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) is investigated by NMR, ESI-MS, UV-vis, and electrochemistry. The Ru (2+)-MV (2+)-Np guest and CB[8] host can form a stable 1:1 inclusion complex, in which the naphthalene residue is back-folded and inserted together with the viologen residue into the cavity of CB[8]. The selective binding of Ru (2+)-MV (2+)-Np guest with beta-CD and CB[8] host is also investigated. We find that CB[8] binds the Ru (2+)-MV (2+)-Np guest stronger than beta-CD. Upon light irradiation, a MV (+*) radical cation stabilized in the cavity of CB[8] accompanied by the naphthalene residue has been observed. This novel system may open a new way for design and synthesis of photoactive molecular devices.     

Probing guest compounds enabling the facile isolation of cucurbit[10]uril

A large set of commercially available amino compounds were assessed toward binding with cucurbit[10]uril(CB[10]),with the purpose of facilitating the isolation of pure CB[10].We found that the addition of a specific guest into a relevant mixture of CB[n]allowed the displacement of CB[5]from CB[10]?CB[5].Subsequent washing of the resulting(G=guest)with dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),enabled to get pure CB[10]in a facile and highly efficient way.     

Orientation of pyrylium guests in cucurbituril hosts

According to recent reports, supramolecular complexes of the pyrylium cation with cucurbit[x]urils (CB[x], x = 7, 8) show promising photoluminescence suitable for electroluminescent devices. In turn, photoluminescence seems to be related to the stereochemistry of the complexes; however, that has been controversial. Here, we report that in H(2)O, 2,6-disubsituted-4-phenyl pyryliums (Pylm) form dimers quantitatively (equilibrium constants >10(4) M(-1)), but they enter as such only in the larger CB[8]. In terms of orientation, (1)H NMR shows that Me-Pylm, Ph-Pylm, and t-Bu-Pylm insert their 4-phenyl groups in either the CB[7] or CB[8] cavity. The orientation of iPr-Pylm in the iPr-Pylm@CB[7] complex is similar. Experimental conclusions are supported by DFT calculations using the M062X functional and the 6-31G(d) basis set. In the case of (iPr-Pylm)(2)@CB[8], (1)H NMR of both the guest and the host indicates that both guests might enter CB[8] from the same side with their iPr groups in the cavity, but DFT calculations leave room for ambiguity. In addition to the size and hydrophobicity of the 2,6-substituents of the guests, as well as the size and flexibility of the hosts, theory reveals the importance of explicit solvation (H(2)O) and finite temperature effects (particularly for (1)H NMR shielding calculations) in the determination of the stereochemistry of those complexes.     

Controlling the extent of spin exchange coupling in 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) biradicals via molecular recognition with cucurbit[n]uril hosts

The binding interactions between two paramagnetic cobaltocenium guests and the hosts cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) were investigated using a combination of electronic absorption, NMR, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Guest 1, (4-amido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)cobaltocenium, forms very stable inclusion complexes with CB7 and CB8. However, CB7 interacts with 1 by including the organometallic cobaltocenium unit, while CB8 engulfs the TEMPO residue. The corresponding equilibrium association constant (K) values are 2.8 ± 0.3 × 10(6) M(-1) for CB7?1 and 2.1 ± 1.0 × 10(8) M(-1) for CB8?1. Biradical guest 2, 1,1'-bis(4-amido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)cobaltocenium, forms a very stable ternary complex with two CB8 hosts, in which each 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) residue is encircled by a host molecule. The structure of this ternary complex was confirmed in the solid state using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Binding of the TEMPO side arms by the CB8 hosts gradually decreases the observed level of spin exchange coupling between the two nitroxide groups. In the final 2:1 complex, no spin exchange coupling was observed, but the initial levels of spin exchange coupling could be regenerated in a reversible fashion by adding a competing guest, adamantyltrimethylammonium (AdTMA), to the solution. The binding interactions between 2 and CB7 are similar but the stabilities of the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes are much lower than those of the corresponding CB8 complexes.     

Acyclic congener of cucurbituril: synthesis and recognition properties

The cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family of macrocycles occupies a prominent role in molecular recognition and self-assembly studies despite the current inability to access specific cucurbit[n]uril homologues, derivatives, and analogues by straightforward tailor-made synthetic procedures. In this paper, we explore an approach that circumvents the challenges posed by the tailor-made synthesis of macrocyclic CB[n] by preparing 1, which functions as an acyclic CB[6] congener. The o-xylylene connections to the glycoluril rings preorganize 1 into the (a,a,a,a)-1 conformation required for binding and reduce its tendency to undergo self-association. We surveyed the binding properties of 1 toward 16 amines (K(a) 相似文献   

Benzobis(imidazolium)-cucurbit[8]uril complexes for binding and sensing aromatic compounds in aqueous solution

The utilities of benzobis(imidazolium) salts (BBIs) as stable and fluorescent components of supramolecular assemblies involving the macrocyclic host, cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), are described. CB[8] has the unusual ability to bind tightly and selectively to two different guests in aqueous media, typically methyl viologen (MV) as the first guest, followed by an indole, naphthalene, or catechol-containing second guest. Based on similar size, shape, and charge, tetramethyl benzobis(imidazolium) (MBBI) was identified as a potential alternative to MV that would increase the repertoire of guests for cucurbit[8]uril. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies showed that MBBI binds to CB[8] in a 1:1 ratio with an equilibrium association constant (K(a)) value of 5.7×10(5) M(-1), and that the resulting MBBI·CB[8] complex binds to a series of aromatic second guests with K(a) values ranging from 10(3) to 10(5) M(-1). These complexation phenomena were supported by mass spectrometry, which confirmed complex formation, and a series of NMR studies that showed the expected upfield perturbation of aromatic peaks and of the MBBI methyl peaks. Surprisingly, the binding behavior of MBBI is strikingly similar to that of MV, and yet MBBI offers a number of substantial advantages for many applications, including intrinsic fluorescence, high chemical stability, and broad synthetic tunability. Indeed, the intense fluorescence emission of the MBBI·CB[8] complex was quenched upon binding to the second guests, thus demonstrating the utility of MBBI as a component for optical sensing. Building on these favorable properties, the MBBI·CB[8] system was successfully applied to the sequence-selective recognition of peptides as well as the controlled disassembly of polymer aggregates in water. These results broaden the available guests for the cucurbit[n]uril family and demonstrate potentially new applications.     

Shape‐Controllable and Fluorescent Supramolecular Organic Frameworks Through Aqueous Host–Guest Complexation

Two kinds of shape‐controllable and fluorescent supramolecular organic frameworks (cuboid or spheroid) are constructed hierarchically from CB[8] and tetraphenylethylene derivatives through host–guest interaction in water. These two fluorescent SOFs exhibit intriguing and varied photophysical properties, including large red‐shifts (up to 82 nm) and stimuli‐responsive behavior to competitive guest by binding with CB[8], the turn‐on fluorescence of which is applied in cellular imaging.     

Control of the stoichiometry in host-guest complexation by redox chemistry of guests: inclusion of methylviologen in cucurbit[8]uril

The binding stoichiometry of a host-guest complex can be effectively controlled by the redox chemistry of the guest: a 1:1 inclusion complex of methylviologen dication (MV2+) in cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) converts completely and reversibly to a 2:1 inclusion complex of cation radical (MV+.) in CB[8] upon the reduction of the guest.     

Mechanism of host-guest complexation by cucurbituril

The factors affecting host-guest complexation between the molecular container compound cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) and various guests in aqueous solution are studied, and a detailed complexation mechanism in the presence of cations is derived. The formation of the supramolecular complex is studied in detail for cyclohexylmethylammonium ion as guest. The kinetics and thermodynamics of complexation is monitored by NMR as a function of temperature, salt concentration, and cation size. The binding constants and the ingression rate constants decrease with increasing salt concentration and cation-binding constant, in agreement with a competitive binding of the ammonium site of the guest and the metal cation with the ureido carbonyl portals of CB6. Studies as a function of guest size indicate that the effective container volume of the CB6 cavity is approximately 105 A(3). It is suggested that larger guests are excluded for two reasons: a high activation barrier for ingression imposed by the tight CB6 portals and a destabilization of the complex due to steric repulsion inside. For example, in the case of the nearly spherical azoalkane homologues 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (DBH, volume ca. 96 A(3)) and 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO, volume ca. 110 A(3)), the former forms the CB6 complex promptly with a sizable binding constant (1300 M(-1)), while the latter does not form a complex even after several months at optimized complexation conditions. Molecular mechanics calculations are performed for several CB6/guest complexes. A qualitative agreement is found between experimental and calculated activation energies for ingression as a function of both guest size and state of protonation. The potential role of constrictive binding by CB6 is discussed.     

瓜环[n](n=6～8)与盐酸丁咯地尔的相互作用

利用1HNMR技术、电喷雾质谱、红外光谱及紫外吸收光谱等手段研究了瓜环[n](n=6～8)与盐酸丁咯地尔的相互作用.实验结果表明,盐酸丁咯地尔与3种瓜环具有不同的相互作用,主-客体配合物的作用模式随着瓜环大小的不同而各不相同.其中,瓜环[6]与盐酸丁咯地尔的相互作用非常弱,而瓜环[7]和瓜环[8]则都将盐酸丁咯地尔分子中的吡咯环及其相邻的2个碳全部包结进去,形成了包结比为1:1的对称包结配合物.通过紫外吸收光谱法计算得到瓜环[7]和瓜环[8]与盐酸丁咯地尔分子的包结常数在102～103L/mol范围内,说明瓜环对盐酸丁咯地尔具有潜在的药物缓释作用.     

核磁共振方法研究瓜环[n](n=7,8)与枸橼酸西地那非的相互作用

利用1H NMR技术、电喷雾质谱、红外光谱以及紫外吸收光谱法等手段研究了瓜环[n](n=7,8)与枸橼酸西地那非的相互作用。结果表明:枸橼酸西地那非与两种瓜环都形成了1∶1的包结配合物,但是其配合物的作用模式随瓜环的大小而不同。通过计算得出瓜环[n](n=7,8)与枸橼酸西地那非的包结常数分别为958和1530 L/mol,说明瓜环对枸橼酸西地那非具有潜在的缓释作用。     

Ferrocenyl-bearing cyclopseudopeptides as redox-switchable cation receptors

A family of ferrocenyl-bearing cyclopseudopeptides (1-10) designed for redox-switchable receptors of cations was synthesized. Circular dichroism (CD) and cyclic valtammetry (CV) studies of cation binding properties in both the reduced (K1) and oxidized (K2) forms revealed that the binding preference is mainly governed by the charges and radius of the guest cation as well as by the suitability of the host to accommodate the guest. Particularly worth mentioning is the fact that some synthesized cyclopseudopeptides showed high binding affinity and selectivity toward alkaline-earth ions. For example, the K1 of compound 2 binding with Ca2+ is 4.37 x 10(6) mol(-1) x L and its Ca2+/K+ selectivity is 3.1 x 10(5):1, both values are much greater than those of an excellent natural ionophore, valinomycin (1 x 10(5) mol(-1) x L and 0.33:1, respectively). The linear relationship between the shifts of half-wave potentials (deltaE(1/2)) and the radius/charge [r/(+)] ratios suggests that the sensitivity of electrochemical responses to cation complexation be dominated by repulsion factors between the redox center and the incoming cation guest.     

Inhibition of C(2)-H/D exchange of a bis(imidazolium) dication upon complexation with cucubit[7]uril

Inclusion of the alpha,alpha'-bis(3-(1-methylimidazolium))-p-xylene dication in cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7], K(CB[7]) = (4.3 x 10(9) M(-1)), with C-H...O=C hydrogen bonding between the guest C(2)-protons and the carbonyl oxygens of the host portals, inhibits the H/D exchange for the C(2)-proton with k(OD) (25 degrees C, D2O) decreasing from 1.2 x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) (pKa = 22.3) in the absence of CB[7] to 0.9 M(-1) s(-1) (pKa = 25.4) in the presence of 1.1 equiv. CB[7].     

Encapsulation of a β-carboline in cucurbit[7]uril

Inclusion of a biological photosensitizer and prototype of β-carbolines, norharmane (NHM), into the cavity of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) has been investigated for the first time, by using ¹H NMR and UV–visible spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations. Protonated NHM forms a very stable host–guest complex with CB[7] in aqueous solution, with a binding constant of (9.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁴ M^?1. The encapsulation of NHM into CB[7] has driven the prototropic equilibrium of NHM to protonated NHM (NHMH⁺) at neutral pH. A pH titration for the host–guest complex revealed a moderate shift of the acid–base equilibrium in the ground-state (from 7.2 to 7.9), which may be caused by the low polarity microenvironment of the CB[7] cavity. The CB[7] provides a binding pocket for the hydrophobic molecule, and the polar, carbonyl-lined portals offering an anchoring site for the positive charge of the cationic species NHMH⁺.     

Complexation and Fluorescence of Tricyclic Basic Dyes Encapsulated in Cucurbiturils

Tricyclic basic dyes (proflavine, acridine orange, pyronine, pyronine Y, oxonine, thionine and methylene blue) often form one‐to‐one or two‐to‐one complexes with CB[7] and CB[8], respectively. In the case of pyronine Y, the complexes with CB[7] and CB[8] have a one‐to‐one and three‐to‐one stoichiometry, respectively. The binding constants for CB[7] complexes range from 3.07×10⁶ to 1.70×10⁷ m ^?1. In the case of CB[8], the association constant varies between 3.24×10¹³ and 2.50×10¹⁶ m ^?2. Overall, these binding constants are four orders of magnitude higher than those reported for the same dyes in β and γ‐cyclodextrins. Formation of the host–guest complexes leads to an increase in the fluorescence quantum yields in the case of CB[7], while the dimeric or trimeric dye encapsulated in CB[8] are remarkably less fluorescent than the same dye in diluted solutions.     

Cucurbit[7]uril: a very effective host for viologens and their cation radicals

[reaction: see text] The host cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) forms very stable inclusion complexes with simple 4,4'-bipyridinium (viologen) dication guests in aqueous solution. The binding constants were measured by electronic absorption spectroscopy and found to be as high as 1 x 10(5) L/mol. One-electron reduction of the viologen guest results in a modest 2-fold decrease of the binding constant. The rate of the heterogeneous electron-transfer reaction between the complexed viologen dication and cation radical remained fast in the voltammetric time scale.