Cucurbit[n]uril analogues

[structure: see text] Cucurbits come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. We present a building block approach that allows the tailor-made synthesis of CB[5], CB[6], and CB[7] analogues whose sizes, shapes, and colors differ from those of the known CB[n].     

葫芦脲的研究进展

葫芦脲(CB[n])及其衍生物是由n个苷脲单元连接成的穴状分子,因其结构特殊,受到广泛的关注与研究。本文综述了CB[n]的性质、合成以及近年来CB[n]在分子开关、催化剂、药物载体等方面的研究进展。     

瓜环的合成及其连续分离

苷脲和多聚甲醛在盐酸存在下反应,合成了多种聚合度的混合瓜环{Q[n],n=5～8};利用其在盐酸中的溶解性差异,通过连续分离得到了单聚合度的Q[5]～Q[8],其结构经1H NMR表征.     

Cucurbit[10]uril

Melamine diamine 1 is able to displace CB[5] from the CB[10].CB[5] complex resulting in CB[10].12 and precipitated CB[5].1. We were able to isolate free CB[10] by treatment of CB[10].1 with acetic anhydride followed by washing with MeOH, DMSO, and water. The spacious cavity of CB[10] is able to complex large guests, including a cationic calix[4]arene derivative in its 1,3-alternate form (CB[10].1,3-alt-3). The addition of adamantane carboxylic acid (4) to CB[10].3 triggers a conformational change during the formation of termolecular complex CB[10].cone-3.4.     

Cucurbit[n]uril binding of platinum anticancer complexes

The encapsulation of cisplatin by cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) and multinuclear platinum complexes linked via a 4,4'-dipyrazolylmethane (dpzm) ligand by Q[7] and cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) has been studied by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The NMR studies suggest that some cisplatin binds in the cucurbituril cavity, while cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(H2O)]+ only binds at the portals. Alternatively, the dpzm-linked multinuclear platinum complexes are quantitatively encapsulated within the cavities of both Q[7] and Q[8]. Upon encapsulation, the non-exchangeable proton resonances of the multinuclear platinum complexes show significant upfield shifts in 1H NMR spectra. The H3/H3* resonances shift upfield by 0.08 to 0.55 ppm, the H5/H5* shift by 0.9 to 1.6 ppm, while the methylene resonances shift by 0.74 to 0.88 ppm. The size of the resonance shift is dependent on the cavity size of the encapsulating cucurbituril, with Q[7] encapsulation producing larger shifts than Q[8]. The upfield shifts of the dpzm resonances observed upon cucurbituril encapsulation indicate that the Q[7] or Q[8] is positioned directly over the dpzm linking ligand. The terminal platinum groups of trans-[{PtCl(NH3)2}2 mu-dpzm]2+ (di-Pt) and trans-[trans-{PtCl(NH3)2}2-trans-{Pt(dpzm)2(NH3)2}]4+ (tri-Pt) provide a barrier to the on and off movement of cucurbituril, resulting in binding kinetics that are slow on the NMR timescale for the metal complex. Although the dpzm ligand has relatively few rotamers, encapsulation by the larger Q[8] resulted in a more compact di-Pt conformation with each platinum centre retracted further into each Q[8] portal. Encapsulation of the hydrolysed forms of di-Pt and tri-Pt is considerably slower than for the corresponding Cl forms, presumably due to the high-energy cost of passing the +2 platinum centres through the cucurbituril portals. The results of this study suggest that cucurbiturils could be suitable hosts for the pharmacological delivery of multinuclear platinum complexes.     

Cucurbit[8]uril rotaxanes

The synthesis of [2]rotaxanes, each comprising a viologen core threaded through a cucurbit[8]uril (Q8, Figure 1) macrocycle and stoppered by tetraphenylmethane groups, and their binding to second guests as inclusion complexes in organic and aqueous media are described. Stoppering was observed to have little effect on binding. Chemical modification of the threaded guest was used to control solubility and binding characteristics, thus demonstrating a novel approach to making artificial receptors with readily modifiable properties.     

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.     

Cucurbit[n]uril analogues: synthetic and mechanistic studies

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of cucurbit[n]uril analogues (18, 19, (+/-)-20, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37) is presented. These CB[5], CB[6], and CB[7] analogues all contain bis(phthalhydrazide) walls that are incorporated into the macrocycle. The tailor-made synthesis of these CB[n] analogues proceeds by the condensation of the appropriate bis(electrophile) (4, 7, or 9) with bis(phthalhydrazide) (17), which delivers the CB[6] and CB[7] analogues in good yield, whereas the CB[5] analogue is formed in low yield. To improve the solubility characteristics of the CB[n] analogues for recognition studies in water or organic solution, the CO2Et groups were transformed to CO2H and CO2(CH2)9CH3 groups. On the basis of the results of product resubmission experiments, we conclude that these macrocycles are kinetic products. To help rationalize the good yields obtained in the CB[6] and CB[7] analogue macrocyclization reactions, we performed mechanistic studies of model methylene bridged glycoluril dimers, which suggest an intramolecular isomerization during CB[n] analogue formation.     

Construction of Pseudorotaxanes and Rotaxanes Based on Cucurbit[n]uril

¹H-NMR spectroscopic analysis indicates that cucurbit[7]uril can form a stable inclusion complex with 1,6-hexanediamine, while cucurbit[5]uril cannot form pseudorotaxane with 1,6-hexanediamine under our experimental conditions. This was confirmed by the crystal structure of the complex. The cavity of cucurbit[8]uril seems to be large for binding 1,6-hexanediamine efficiently. And a simple, mild, high-yield (>80%) method has been described for the synthesis of rotaxanes through the self-assembly of pseudorotaxanes of cucurbit[n]uril (n=6, 7)/1, 6-hexanediamine and sodium tetraphenylborate. The obtained rotaxanes are held intact solely by noncovalent interactions, and are characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR, ESI-MS and MALDI-TOF MS.     

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.     

葫[n]环联脲(n=5,6,7,8)与两种重氮氟硼酸盐的包合作用研究

用核磁共振氢谱和紫外-可见光谱滴定法考察了葫[n]环联脲(Cucurbit[n]uril,n=5,6,7,8)与对甲苯重氮氟硼酸盐和4,4′-联苯二重氮氟硼酸盐的配位情况,并用曲线拟合求得形成的包结配合物的稳定常数.结果表明,不同空腔的葫[n]环联脲对不同尺寸的重氮氟硼酸盐具有很显著的选择性包结作用.在相同条件下,与葫[6]环联脲相比,葫[7]环联脲更易于容纳苯环.同时,随着酸性的增强,葫[n]环联脲上的脲羰基质子化程度加大,使得其配位能力有所减弱.     

Supramolecular Inhibition of Amyloid Fibrillation by Cucurbit[7]uril

Amyloid fibrils are insoluble protein aggregates comprised of highly ordered β‐sheet structures and they are involved in the pathology of amyloidoses, such as Alzheimer’s disease. A supramolecular strategy is presented for inhibiting amyloid fibrillation by using cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]). CB[7] prevents the fibrillation of insulin and β‐amyloid by capturing phenylalanine (Phe) residues, which are crucial to the hydrophobic interactions formed during amyloid fibrillation. These results suggest that the Phe‐specific binding of CB[7] can modulate the intermolecular interaction of amyloid proteins and prevent the transition from monomeric to multimeric states. CB[7] thus has potential for the development of a therapeutic strategy for amyloidosis.     

Efficient Preparation of Separable Pseudo[n]rotaxanes by Selective Threading of Oligoalkylammonium Salts with Cucurbit[7]uril

A salty solution : Well‐defined pseudo[n]rotaxanes (n=2, 3, 4, 5) were prepared as pure compounds through threading of oligoalkylammonium salts with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and by subsequent counterion exchange. A unique self‐assembling mode was observed (see graphic).

     

Cucurbit[5]uril derivatives as oxygen carriers

ABSTRACT

Cucurbit[n]urils are rigid cage-molecules of pumpkin-like shape, made of n-glycoluril units, able to bind mainly neutral molecules and cations. In this work, we investigate the binding of three cucurbit[5]uril derivatives with dioxygen O₂ and show that one of them, namely per-hydroxylated cucurbit[5]uril, (OH)₁₀CB[5], is able to significantly bind dioxygen gas at physiological temperature, even in the presence of sodium chloride at the concentration of injectable solution in blood. As cucurbit[n]urils studied up to now reveal low toxicity, per-hydroxylated cucurbit[5]uril appears as a promising precursor to design a host able to transport O₂ in a haemoglobin substitute solution.     

Cucurbit[n]uril based supramolecular assemblies: tunable physico-chemical properties and their prospects

This Feature Article provides an account of the recent work by our research group (with some reference to relevant work of other groups) on the spectacular physico-chemical properties of cucurbituril-based supramolecular assemblies of chromophoric dyes having technological and biological importance. Simultaneous association of multiple hosts or guests either by cooperative binding or competitive displacement is an applied strategy to construct novel functional assemblies with predesignated characteristics. Here, effort has been made to briefly discuss the diverse photophysical characteristics of several host-guest complexes and the dynamic responses of such molecular assemblies towards external stimulants like metal ions. The detailed experimentation on these assemblies project their applications in the controlled uptake and release of drugs, photofunctional devices, aqueous-based dye lasers, and molecular architectures.     

葫芦[8]脲的环套环分子组装

以4,4'-联吡啶鎓、 2,6-萘二酚和2,7-萘二酚为基本结构单元, 设计合成了2种带有分子内给受体相互作用的大环化合物, 并采用紫外光谱和核磁共振等手段研究了其与葫芦[8]脲的键合行为. 研究结果表明, 在水溶液中大环的2,6-萘二酚和2,7-萘二酚与4,4'-联吡啶鎓之间存在分子内的电荷转移相互作用, 而葫芦[8]脲可以键合这2种大环化合物, 导致电荷转移吸收峰增强并红移, 表明葫芦[8]脲能增强这种分子内的电荷转移相互作用, 形成稳定的环套环分子组装体. 这种结构是基于葫芦[8]脲的新型拓扑结构.