Preparation of two new [2]rotaxanes based on the pillar[5]arene/alkane recognition motif

Based on the pillar[5]arene/alkane recognition motif, two [2]rotaxanes were successfully prepared. Their formation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. We also demonstrated that 3,5-dinitrophenyl group and 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group are big enough to work as stoppers for DPPillar[5]arene, which lays a foundation for the preparation of more complex and functional supramolecular structures.     

Efficient syntheses of bis(m-phenylene)-26-crown-8-based cryptand/paraquat derivative [2]rotaxanes by immediate solvent evaporation method

A novel bis(m-phenylene)-26-crown-8-based cryptand has been synthesized. It has been used to prepare two 1:1 complexes with two paraquat derivatives with high association constants (6.5×10⁵ and 4.0×10⁵ M⁻¹) in acetone. In the solid state the cryptand forms a 2:1 threaded structure with paraquat and an interesting supramolecular poly[2]pseudorotaxane threaded structure with a dihydroxyethyl-substituted paraquat derivative, respectively. It has been further used to prepare cryptand/paraquat derivative [2]rotaxanes efficiently by the immediate solvent evaporation method using easily available 3,5-dimethylphenyl groups as the stoppers.     

[2]Pseudorotaxanes based on the cryptand/monopyridinium recognition motif

The first cryptand/monopyridinium [2]pseudorotaxanes were prepared from five bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10- and one bis(m-phenylene)-26-crown-8-based cryptand hosts and three monopyridinium guests. These pseudorotaxanes were studied by proton NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Association constants ranged from 141 M⁻¹ to 1.86×10⁴ M⁻¹ in 1:1 acetone: chloroform at 22 °C.     

Inclusion [2]complexes based on the cryptand/diquat recognition motif

Seven diquat-based inclusion [2]complexes were studied by proton NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray analysis. The hosts used in these inclusion [2]complexes are bis(5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10, a bis(m-phenylene)-26-crown-8-based cryptand, and five bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptands. Bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptands have been proved to be able to complex diquat much more strongly than bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 itself and one containing a pyridyl moiety has one of the highest K_a values reported to date. These hosts form 1:1 complexes with diquat in solution and in the solid state. It was found that the improved binding from bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 to bis(5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 was due to a supramolecular cryptand structure formed by chelation of the two terminal OH moieties of bis(5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 with a water molecule as a hydrogen-bonding bridge.     

Two bis(p-phenylene)-34-crown-10-based cryptand constitutional isomers: different binding abilities induced by structural alterations

Two novel bis(p-phenylene)-34-crown-10-based cryptand constitutional isomers were prepared and their host–guest complexations with paraquat were studied by ESI-MS, UV–vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectra, and X-ray crystal structures. Notably, though the only difference between the two hosts is the location of the nitrogen atom on the third arms, they exhibited quite different binding abilities with paraquat. Competitive complexation was carried out and it may provide a simple way to construct sophisticated supramolecular materials with reversibility and adaptability.     

[3]Pseudorotaxanes based on the cryptand/monopyridinium salt recognition motif

The first cryptand/monopyridinium salt [3]pseudorotaxanes were prepared from two cryptand hosts and two bispyridinium guests as confirmed by proton NMR characterization, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray analysis. It was found that the two monopyridinium binding sites are independent of each other for the formation of one [3]pseudorotaxane.     

High-yield preparation of [2]rotaxanes based on the bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptand/paraquat derivative recognition motif

Based on the complexation between bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptands and a paraquat derivative, two [2]rotaxanes were synthesized by using a threading-followed-by-stoppering method. Due to the strong associations between the cryptands and the paraquat derivative, high yields were achieved even in dilute solution.     

Water-soluble pillar[6]arene stabilized silver nanoparticles: preparation and application in amino acid detection

In the presence of a water-soluble pillar[6]arene WP6 containing 12 imidazolium groups, silver nanoparticles were successfully prepared and investigated in detail by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Excitingly, these pillar[6]arene stabilized silver nanoparticles were demonstrated to function as a colorimetric sensor to selectively probe glutamic acid in water.     

Design,structure and anion recognition of larger-rim functionalized oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine hosts

Larger-rim functionalized tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine host molecules were efficiently synthesized through a fragment coupling followed by AlCl₃-mediated deprotection/arylation protocol. Substituent effects, functions of counter cations on anion recognition in solution were systematically studied by means of fluorescence and NMR titrations.     

Supramolecular phthalocyanine dimers based on the secondary dialkylammonium cation/dibenzo-24-crown-8 recognition motif

[formula: see text] New unsymmetrically substituted DB24C8-phthalocyanines, which are able to form complexes with suitable dialkylammonium cations, have been prepared. These complexes most probably have a pseudorotaxane geometry.     

A New Motif for the Self-Assembly of [2]Pseudorotaxanes; 1,2-Bis(pyridinium)ethane Axles and [24]Crown-8 Ether Wheels

Multiple intramolecular interactions help to stabilize the novel [2]pseudorotaxanes formed from 1,2-bis(pyridinium)ethane dications (which act as axles) and 24-membered crown ethers (which act as wheels; see structure). This is the first successful sythesis of [2]pseudorotaxanes with [24]crown-8 as the macrocycle.     

Novel [2]rotaxanes based on the recognition of pillar[5]arenes to an alkane functionalized with triazole moieties

Host-guest complexation between an alkane functionalized with triazole moieties and three pillar[5]arenes was studied. Three pillar[5]arene-based [2]rotaxanes were constructed based on this new recognition motif. The sequence of the yields of these [2]rotaxanes was consistent with the order of association constants between the three corresponding pillar[5]arenes and the alkane. ¹H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and NOESY NMR were employed to characterize these [2]rotaxanes.     

Electrochemically induced dethreading of a 2-pseudorotaxane based on the 1,2-bis(4,4′-pyridinium)ethane/24-crown-8 ether motif

Reversible electrochemical regulation of dethreading and rethreading of a 2-pseudorotaxane complex composed of a dibenzo-24-crown-8 ‘wheel’ noncovalently bound to the ethyl bridge of a bis-viologen ‘axle’ is demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry.     

One-pot synthesis of donor-acceptor [2]rotaxanes based on cryptand-paraquat recognition motif

Two novel cryptand-based [2]rotaxanes were synthesized by a facile one-pot reaction from three neutral precursors: easily accessible cryptand host 1 and commercially available 4,4'-bipyridine and 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl bromide. Their structures were confirmed by (1)H NMR, 2D NMR, HRMS and X-ray analysis. Moreover, two [2]pseudorotaxanes based on the same cryptand hosts and dibenzyl viologen guest 3 were also demonstrated both in solution and in the solid state, which are different from previously reported [3]pseudorotaxane-like complexes formed by dimethyl viologen guest 2 and the cryptands.     

Host size effect in the complexation of two bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptands with a diazapyrenium salt

N,N′-Dimethyl-2,7-diazapyrenium bis(hexafluorophosphate) binds a C₃-symmetric bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptand more strongly than N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium bis(hexafluorophosphate) partly because of its better fit in size with the cryptand host cavity, while it binds a relatively smaller pyridyl cryptand less strongly due to its worse fit in size with the cryptand host cavity and the lack of hydrogen bonding to the pyridyl nitrogen atom of the host.     

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 a pillar[5]arene dimer by co-oligomerization and its complexation with n-octyltrimethyl ammonium hexafluorophosphate

A pillar[5]arene dimer was successfully prepared by co-oligomerization of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and 1,6-bis(4-butoxyphenoxy)hexane. It was demonstrated that it forms 1:2 complexes with n-octyltrimethyl ammonium hexafluorophosphate both in chloroform and the gaseous state. A Scatchard plot indicated that the complexation between them is statistical with an average association constant of 6.0 (±0.4) × 10² M⁻¹ in chloroform.     

Bis(benzimidazolium)methane salts: a potential guest for dibenzo-24-crown-8 towards [2]pseudorotaxanes

We investigated the threading of bis(benzimidazolium) methane moieties with DB24C8 at 35 °C (room temperature) and found a high degree of association. The presence of threaded complexes was determined by ¹H NMR and also supported by high resolution mass spectrometry and B3LYP/6-31G**++calculations. A 2D NMR study was done to elucidate the host-guest geometry and the molecular interactions present. The variable temperature NMR experiment was done over a temperature range of 243-323 K. The threading was stable and visible even at 323 K. Acid-base equilibrium established the reversibility of the process. DFT optimized structures establish that two H-bonded links are present between O₁?O_4′ and O₃?O_2′ across the dibenzo axis of the crown.     

Synthesis and structural features of sulfur-substituted calix[4]pyrrole for a bottom-up control of the substrate-directed self-assembly of supramolecular structures

The synthesis of six new calix[4]pyrroles, containing sulfur-substituted phenylene units is reported. Halogen-anions and organic aromatic mono- and bis-anions have been selected to explore the formation of host-guest complexes and the possible self-assembly of multi-component structures with the six calixpyrroles. The type of aryl substitution modulates the strength of binding and the selectivity towards different anions and, in some cases, the combination of receptors and bis-anionic precursors, offers a way to build systems in which capsular assemblies are observed.