A heterowheel [3]pseudorotaxane by integrating β-cyclodextrin and cucurbit[8]uril inclusion complexes

A heterowheel [3]pseudorotaxane was prepared by integrating two binary inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin-hydroxynaphthalene (β-CD·3) with a cucurbit[8]uril-viologen derivative (CB[8]·2), in which simultaneous molecular recognition of the adamantine moiety in 2 by β-CD and the charge-transfer interaction of 3 with the viologen nucleus of 2 in the cavity of CB[8] are two crucial factors for the formation of the quaternary complex.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel single crystal of Th(Ⅳ) with cucurbit[6]uril

One single crystal based on Th~(4+) and cucurbit[6]uril(CB6) in nitric acid aqueous solutions was synthesized by slow evaporation method. The single crystal was characterized by elemental analysis,single crystal X-ray diffraction, XRD, FT-IR and TGA. The complexed cation of Th~(4+) is a ten coordinated structure, in which the central thorium ion is coordinated by six monodentate water molecules and two bidentate nitrates. While CB6, as a second-sphere ligand, coordinates with the water molecules of [Th(NO_3)_2(H_2 O)_6]~(2+) through the formation of hydrogen bonding. Two other nitrate ions act as the counter anions. Besides, there are two free water molecules in the crystal system. The formation of the Th~(4+)-CB6 complex can contribute to the study of the coordination of CB6 and the extraction of Th~(4+) in HNO_3 system     

Supramolecular assemblies of cucurbit[n]urils and 4-aminopyridine controlled by cucurbit[n]uril size (n = 5, 6, 7 and 8)

The binding interactions between 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and a series of cucurbit[n]urils (Q[5], Q[6], TMeQ[6], Q[7], Q[8]) have been studied using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and X-ray crystallography. The data indicates that the Q[5]@4-AP complex exhibits exo binding, which is not observed in the other four host-guest complexes. Furthermore, X-ray crystallography clearly reveals how the Q[n]s bind with 4-AP to form complexes, for example Q[5] forms an outer-surface complex, whilst Q[6], TMeQ[6] and Q[7] formed 1:1 host and guest type complexes, and Q[8] formed a stable 1:2 ternary complex due to its large cavity, which can accommodate two 4-AP molecules.     

Complexation of sym-bis(benzimidazole)-2, 2’-ethylene salts with cucurbit[6]uril derivatives：A potential axle molecule for pseudorotaxanes

Sym-bis(benzimidazole)-2,2'-ethylene cations act as a new axle template for threading cucurbit[6]uril derivatives on, forming [2]pseudorotaxane and [3]pseudorotaxane. These new complexes have been studied using 1H NMR, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. Changes in the 1H NMR spectra indicate that the two types of pseudorotaxane can be formed by varying the host concentration. UV-vis absorption titration experiments at different pH values demonstrate that interesting pKa shifts of the bis-benzimidazole derivatives can be induced by the host-guest complexation. The associated constants were calculated to be 2.81×104 L/mol and 9.06×106 L/mol for the [2]pseudorotaxanes and [3]pseudorotaxanes, respectively. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction studies of the solid state structures provide unequivocal proof of the host concentration dependent pseudorotaxane, which is strongly in line with the evidences in solution.     

One-pot synthesis–assembly–separation of cucurbit[6]uril via SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids

A novel microwave-assisted route to synthesize cucurbit[n]uril in SO₃H-functionalized ionic liquids was reported, which enabled the automatic separation of cucurbit[6]uril through anion assembly. For the first time, the route has realized synthesis–assembly–separation of cucurbit[6]uril in one pot. The reaction yield and separation efficiency can be tuned by choice of anionic groups in ionic liquids.     

Encapsulation of 2,2′-(decane-1,10-diyl)-diisoquinoline into cucurbit[6]uril and α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril: formation of pseudorotaxanes and polypseudorotaxanes†

Host–guest complexation of cucurbit[6]uril and α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril with 2,2′-(decane-1,10-diyl)-diisoquinolinium has been investigated by ¹H NMR, UV and fluorescence spectroscopy in aqueous solution and by X-ray crystallography in solid state. Experimental data suggest that in the aqueous solution, both host molecules form [2]pseudorotaxanes with the host located over the decyl chain of the guest. In the solid state, neighbouring [2]pseudorotaxanes are linked by π?π and C–H?π interactions, eventually generating polypseudorotaxanes.     

Host–guest complexes of the antituberculosis drugs pyrazinamide and isoniazid with cucurbit[7]uril

The potential use of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) as an excipient in oral formulations for improved drug physical stability or for improved drug delivery was examined with the antituberculosis drugs pyrazinamide (pyrazine-2-carboxamide) and isoniazid (isonicotinohydrazide). Both drugs form 1:1 host–guest complexes with CB[7] as determined by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and molecular modelling. Drug binding is stabilised by hydrophobic effects between the pyridine and pyrazine rings of isoniazid and pyrazinamide, respectively, to the inside cavity of the CB[7] macrocycle as well as hydrogen bonds between the hydrazide and amide groups of each drug to the CB[7] carbonyl portals. At pH 1.5, isoniazid binds CB[7] with a binding constant of 5.6 × 10⁵ M^?1, whilst pyrazinamide binds CB[7] at pH 7 with a much smaller binding constant (4.8 × 10³ M^?1). Finally, CB[7] prevents drug melting through encapsulation. Where previously pyrazinamide displays a typical melting point of 189 °C and isoniazid 171 °C, by differential scanning calorimetry, no melting or degradation at temperatures up to 280 °C is observed for either drug once bound by CB[7].     

Construction of the reaction networks for heterogeneous catalytic reactions: Fischer—Tropsch synthesis and related reactions

The key approaches to the generation of reaction networks for the synthesis of products from CO and H₂ are considered. The selection rules for the elementary steps on the surface of heterogeneous catalysts are formulated. Data on the surface compounds and steps related to reactions of CO and H₂ are analyzed and a set of transforms (models of elementary steps) for generation of the reaction network are selected. Eight variants of generation of reaction networks for the formation of C1 products with different sets of transforms (12 to 31) were tested in computer experiments, and eight reaction networks comprising 34 substances and 132 to 1647 elementary steps were obtained. The pathways to CO₂, CH₄, and CH₃OH and pairs of compounds CH₄, CO₂ and CH₄, HCOOH obtained from the reaction network (220 elementary steps) are compared with the published schemes.     

Effects of the number and placement of positive charges on viologen–cucurbit[n]uril interactions

Recent developments in the synthesis and applications of the cucurbit[n]uril family of synthetic hosts has led to an increasing interest in the detailed studies of their interactions with a wide variety of guests. This paper describes a quantitative study of the effects of the number and placement of positive charges on the binding of viologen guests to cucurbit[7]uril and cucurbit[8]uril. A series of viologen derivatives with one to four charges was characterised by isothermal titration calorimetry, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to determine the stoichiometry, affinity and mode of binding. These data show that stoichiometry can be controlled by the placement of charge, and that affinity can be increased by the addition of positive charges. This study should serve as a guide for the design of supramolecular structures built from viologens and cucurbit[n]urils.

     

Host–guest interactions of a twisted cucurbit[15]uril with paraquat derivatives and bispyridinium salts

Host–guest complexations of a twisted cucurbit[15]uril with some paraquat derivatives and bispyridinium salts in aqueous solution are investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, UV–vis spectrometry and isothermal titration calorimetry. These complexations are mainly enthalpy-driven.     

Effects of sequence context on the binding of tryptophan-containing peptides by the cucurbit[8]uril–methyl viologen complex

This paper describes a novel assay for measuring the relative extent of peptide binding in a large parallel format and the use of this assay to explore the effects of sequence context on the binding of tryptophan (Trp)-containing peptides by the synthetic receptor comprising the noncovalent complex between cucurbit[8]uril and methyl viologen (i.e. Q8√MV). The extent of quenching of Trp fluorescence upon binding to Q8√MV was used to measure the relative extent of binding and thus the relative affinities of 104 Trp-containing peptides, in parallel, using a fluorescence plate reader. This study resulted in the remarkable observation that the identity of the amino acid residues at positions adjacent to the Trp-binding site has little if any influence on the binding affinity. This finding suggests that Q8√MV should be effective for the recognition of Trp residues within a broad range of peptide sequences.     

Inclusion complexes of pantoprazole with β-cyclodextrin and cucurbit[7]uril: experimental and molecular modeling study

The inclusion complexes of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pantoprazole sodium (PNZ_Na) with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) have been investigated. Fluorescence spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) were used to characterize these complexes. The fluorescence intensity of PNZ_Na was remarkably enhanced by both hosts, indicating the formation of the complexes. Nevertheless, the two hosts are of comparable cavity size their effect on the fluorescence of PNZ_Na was quite different. The ESI-MS data on the other hand confirmed the formation of a 1:1 PNZ_Na: host inclusion complexes for the two hosts. We further utilized molecular dynamics to shed more light on the mechanism of complexation and on the stability of these complexes in aqueous media. The complexes were stabilized over the 20 ns of simulation time mainly via hydrogen bonding interactions in addition to hydrophobic effects and van der Waals interactions. Snapshots collected during the simulations for both complexes have clearly shown that the mode of insertion of PNZ into the two host’s cavities are different which explain the difference in fluorescence enhancement of PNZ obtained in presence of each of these hosts.     

Absolute binding free energies for the SAMPL6 cucurbit[8]uril host–guest challenge via the AMOEBA polarizable force field

As part of the SAMPL6 host–guest blind challenge, the AMOEBA force field was applied to calculate the absolute binding free energy for a cucurbit[8]uril host complexed with 14 diverse guests, ranging from small, rigid structures to drug molecules. The AMOEBA results from the initial submission prompted an investigation into aspects of the methodology and parameterization employed. Lessons learned from the blind challenge include: a double annihilation scheme (electrostatics and van der Waals) is needed to obtain proper sampling of guest conformations, annihilation of key torsion parameters of the guest are recommended for flexible guests, and a more thorough analysis of torsion parameters is warranted. When put in to practice with the AMOEBA model, the lessons learned improved the MUE from 2.63 to 1.20 kcal/mol and the RMSE from 3.62 to 1.68 kcal/mol, respectively. Overall, the AMOEBA protocol for determining absolute binding free energies benefitted from participation in the SAMPL6 host–guest blind challenge and the results suggest the implementation of the methodology in future host–guest calculations.     

Coordination and recognition of lanthanide cations by a methyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derived from 3α-methyl-glycoluril

The interactions between a series of lanthanide cations (Ln³⁺) and a methyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derived from 3α-methyl-glycoluril (SHMeQ[6]) in the presence of [CdCl₄]^2 ? as a structure-directing agent in aqueous HCl solutions (6.0 mol·L ^? 1) have been investigated. The formation of ionic radius-dependent complexes, the crystal structures of six of which have been obtained, shows the recognition ability of SHMeQ[6] towards lanthanide cations. For example, SHMeQ[6] forms molecular capsule-like complexes with the two lightest lanthanide cations, La³⁺ and Ce³⁺; molecular pairs with Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺ and Gd³⁺, and no solid crystals are formed with the heavier lanthanides.     

Inclusion complexes based α,ω-imidazolium based oligosiloxane (Im-PDMS) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) in aqueous solution

Inclusion complexes of α,ω-bisimidazolium oligosiloxane (Im-PDMS) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) in aqueous solution were studied. The binding interactions were monitored by ¹H NMR. Their annular aggregate morphologies were confirmed by TEM. The aggregation behavior of free Im-PDMS and Im-PDMS in 10^?4 CB[7] were investigated using surface tension measurement.     

"Nanocatalyst ∪ reagent-on-a-polymer film": a new polymer-supported system for (electro-)catalytic reactions

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) has been used to immobilize both the metal particle catalyst and the reagent, (cyano-)borohydride, by simple doping and chemical reduction. These films have shown catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of nitrophenol and electro-oxidation of methanol, formic acid and borohydride.     

Synthesis,characterization and oxidase catalytic activity of vanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from β-diketones

New complexes of vanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV) with Schiff base ligands derived from -diketones and ethanolamine or o-aminophenol have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic moment measurements, and by i.r., u.v.–vis. and e.p.r. spectroscopy. A distorted octahedral environment was proposed for the vanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes. The spectroscopic results were utilized to compute the important ligand field parameters. Three adduct complexes were isolated owing to the interaction of one oxovanadium complex with Lewis-bases in MeOH. Vanadium(IV) complexes exhibit promising catalytic activity towards the aerobic oxidation of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to the corresponding semi-oxidized form (PPD⁺). A linear correlation exists between the oxidase catalytic activity and the Lewis acidity of the central vanadium(IV) ion created by the donating properties of the parent ligand.     

N′-(3-Bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide and its oxovanadium(V) complex: synthesis,structures, and catalytic properties

A new hydrazone N′-(3-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (H₂L) and its oxovanadium(V) complex, [VOLL′]·2H₂O (L′ = 2-hydroxybenzohydroxamate), were prepared and structurally characterized by physico-chemical, spectroscopic methods, and single-crystal X-ray determination. The hydrazone coordinates to V through the phenolate oxygen, imino nitrogen, and enolate oxygen. The hydroxamate coordinates to V through the carbonyl oxygen and deprotonated hydroxyl oxygen. Vanadium in the complex is octahedral. The oxidation of olefins with the complex as catalyst was evaluated, which indicated that the complex showed catalytic efficiency in oxidation of several aliphatic and aromatic substrates under mild conditions, using tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide as oxidant.     

Jørgensen complex within a molecular container: selective encapsulation of trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]+ into cucurbit[8]uril and influence of inclusion on guest's properties

The unprecedented selective encapsulation of trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]+ from the mixture of trans and cis isomers into the cavity of macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[8]uril (C48H48N32O16, CB[8]) leads to the inclusion compound {trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]@CB[8]}Cl.17H2O (1). Single-crystal X-ray analysis, 1H NMR, and ESI-MS spectra confirm the formation of host-guest complex 1 in both solid state and solution. The geometry of the complex cation alters significantly upon inclusion, which causes appreciable hypsochromic shifts of the absorption bands of the guest complex. According to TGA data, inclusion of trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]+ dramatically stabilizes the complex toward thermal decomposition. Encapsulation of trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]+ into the CB[8] cavity also increases the stability of the metal complex toward isomerization into the cis form. The supramolecular adduct {cis-[Co(en)2(H2O)2](CB[8])6}Cl3.ca109.5H2O (2) was isolated only after prolonged heating of an aqueous solution of 1 at 120 degrees C in an evacuated tube; it was characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR, and elemental analysis.