Supramolecular chemistry in water

Supramolecular chemistry in water is a constantly growing research area because noncovalent interactions in aqueous media are important for obtaining a better understanding and control of the major processes in nature. This Review offers an overview of recent advances in the area of water-soluble synthetic receptors as well as self-assembly and molecular recognition in water, through consideration of the functionalities that are used to increase the water solubility, as well as the supramolecular interactions and approaches used for effective recognition of a guest and self-assembly in water. The special features and applications of supramolecular entities in aqueous media are also described.     

Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recognition towards Molecular Information Processing and Self-Organization

The selective binding of a substrate by a molecular receptor to form a supramolecular species involves molecular recognition which rests on the molecular information stored in the interacting species. The functions of supermolecules cover recognition, as well as catalysis and transport. In combination with polymolecular organization, they open ways towards molecular and supramolecular devices for information processing and signal generation. The development of such devices requires the design of molecular components performing a given function (e.g., photoactive, electroactive, ionoactive, thermoactive, or chemoactive) and suitable for assembly into an organized array. Light-conversion devices and charge-separation centers have been realized with photoactive cryptates formed by receptors containing photosensitive groups. Eleclroactive and ionoactive devices are required for carrying information via electronic and ionic signals. Redox-active polyolefinic chains, like the “caroviologens”, represent molecular wires for electron transfer through membranes. Push-pull polyolefins possess marked nonlinear optical properties. Tubular mesophases, formed by organized stacking of suitable macro-cyclic components, as well as “chundle”-type structures, based on bundles of chains grafted onto a macrocyclic support, represent approaches to ion channels. Lipophilic macrocyclic units form Langmuir-Blodgett films that may display molecular recognition at the air-water interface. Supramolecular chemistry has relied on more or less preorganized molecular receptors for effecting molecular recognition, catalysis, and transport processes. A step beyond preorganization consists in the design of systems undergoing self-organization, that is, systems capable of spontaneously generating a well-defined supramolecular architecture by self-assembling from their components under a given set of conditions. Several approaches to self-assembling systems have been pursued: the formation of helical metal complexes, the double-stranded helicates, which result from the spontaneous organization of two linear polybipyridine ligands into a double helix by binding of specific metal ions; the generation of mesophases and liquid crystalline polymers of supramolecular nature from complementary components, amounting to macroscopic expression of molecular recognition; the molecular-recognition-directed formation of ordered solid-state structures. Endowing photo-, electro-, and ionoactive components with recognition elements opens perspectives towards the design of programmed molecular and supramolecular systems capable of self-assembly into organized and functional supramolecular devices. Such systems may be able to perform highly selective operations of recognition, reaction, transfer, and structure generation for signal and information processing at the molecular and supramolecular levels.     

Carbohydrate Recognition through Noncovalent Interactions: A Challenge for Biomimetic and Supramolecular Chemistry

Carbohydrates are not always as “sticky” as one might expect . Even in organic solvents they are difficult targets for the supramolecular chemist, due to their complex, three-dimensional structures. In their natural environment (water) they are especially elusive, presenting challenges which will occupy synthetic and theoretical chemists for some time to come. The complex of an octaamide supramolecular receptor with β-D -glucopyranose, which binds through apolar and polar contacts, is shown.     

界面超分子聚合

超分子聚合物诞生于高分子化学与超分子化学的交叉融合,一般是指单体间通过非共价键作用连接形成的聚合物,并在溶液或体相中表现出类似聚合物的性质。目前超分子聚合物一般通过均相溶液聚合制备得到,但溶液中的超分子聚合是一个自发的组装过程,具有浓度依赖性,组装过程不易可控。为解决此问题,研究人员可以将超分子聚合从均相溶液转移到界面,在界面上可控地制备超分子聚合物。通过界面聚合制备超分子聚合物具有一些独特的优势,如可以制备得到分子量更高的超分子聚合物,易于制备一些缺陷少、面积大、有序的二维超分子聚合物等。本文基于在液-液、气-液和固-液三种界面上制备超分子聚合物的一些代表性工作,介绍了界面超分子聚合方法和应用,并展望其未来发展。     

超分子模糊识别

在超分子主-客体识别系统中,由专一作用如多重氢键、拓扑捕捉、金属-配体驱动的识别虽然具有高选择性,但要求主体具有严格的尺寸、形状和电子环境;同时识别通常限于那些具有拓扑特征和电子特征的分子,这类识别机制称为静态识别。另一方面,由超支化聚合物衍生的核-壳两亲大分子(CAM),方便易得且有广泛的客体亲合性,但客体选择性通常较低。近年的研究表明,CAM的核经过合适的电子性质改性后,竞争客体分子间的差异可被放大,从而实现高选择性包裹与分离,而CAM最大的特点是核内有大量随机分布的官能团,从而可以进行各种精细的改性。这一由复杂系统的非线性特征导致的识别不需要专一作用的推动,适合于复杂分子的识别,被称为超分子模糊识别。实验表明,超分子模糊识别主体可以用于各种离子客体的高效分离,还可以识别拓扑特征和电子特征非常相似的分子。本文就超分子模糊识别的机制、特点以及应用作了综述。     

Cyclodextrins as Building Blocks for Supramolecular Structures and Functional Units

Cyclodextrins are frequently used as building blocks, because they can be linked both covalently and noncovalently with specificity. Thus one, two, three, seven, fourteen, eighteen, or twenty substituents have been linked to one β-cyclodextrin molecule in a regioselective manner. Furthermore, Cyclodextrins may serve as organic host molecules. Their internal cavity is able to accommodate one or two guest molecules. Conversely, suitable guest molecules can be used to thread one, two, or many (one hundred or more) cyclodextrin rings. The resulting supramolecular structures are often formed in solution, which allows characterization by high-resolution spectroscopic methods. Chemical conversion of these structures provides molecular architectures such as catenanes, rotaxanes, polyrotaxanes, and tubes, which are not readily prepared by other methods. The particular properties of Cyclodextrins can also be employed, for example, for the chromatographic separation of complex mixtures of substances, even racemates, by molecular recognition. Cyclodextrins and their derivatives have been found to be remarkably active catalysts as well. Finally, since Cyclodextrins can favorably influence the release of drugs, many new applications will certainly be developed in the near future.     

Gemini型两亲分子超分子组装研究进展

综述了国内外对Gemini型两亲分子在超分子组装方面的研究进展。总结了Gemini分子的体相组装、界面组装以及近几年应用领域的研究进展;着重介绍了基因传递、纳米材料模板、降解剂、药物缓释以及胶凝剂的制备等方面的应用进展;对相关研究领域的主要研究成果做了一些探讨和分析;为更加深入探索和研究Gemini型两亲分子的超分子组装提供参考信息。     

Cucurbit[10]uril-based chemistry

With the biggest cavity in the cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) family, CB[10] has shown its unique molecular recognition properties. This review gives a brief summary of the research progresses in the CB[10]-based chemistry, involving its purification and applications in fields such as molecular recognition and molecular assembly.     

Supramolecular surfactants derived from calixarenes

Supramolecular surfactants self-aggregate via noncovalent interactions. The process is rapid and reversible which makes them potentially useful for the design of stimuli-responsive systems. Here we focus on host:guest interactions using calixarenes as molecular receptors. Calixarenes are an important family of molecular receptors because of their ease of preparation and post-modification. The calixarenes discussed here cannot self-aggregate, but when combined with an appropriate guest molecule readily self-associate. Different types of aggregates are obtained, e.g., micelles or vesicles, depending upon the structures of the calixarene and guest.     

Supramolecular complexation of homocysteine and cysteine with cucurbit[7]uril

Supramolecular complexation of two bio-thiols, homocysteine (Hcys) and cysteine (Cys), by cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) has been fully investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, isothermal titration calorimetry, and the results were further verified with computational investigations. NMR titration experimental results obviously indicate that the binding stoichiometry of CB[7] to Hcys is 1:1 and to Cys is 1:2 in aqueous solution. The binding constants and thermodynamic parameters associated with the complexation between CB[7] and the bio-thiols were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. The energy-minimized structures of the supramolecular complexes of CB[7] with Hcys and Cys were determined and provide good agreement with the experimental results. The CB[7] cavity is sufficient to include the two Cys, but is unable to accommodate two Hcys due to steric hindrance. The differing binding abilities of Hcys and Cys in aqueous solution towards CB[7] host may lead to discriminate them.     

Supramolecular Self-Sorting Networks using Hydrogen-Bonding Motifs

A current objective in supramolecular chemistry is to mimic the transitions between complex self-sorted systems that represent a hallmark of regulatory function in nature. In this work, a self-sorting network, comprising linear hydrogen motifs, was created. Selecting six hydrogen-bonding motifs capable of both high-fidelity and promiscuous molecular recognition gave rise to a complex self-sorting system, which included motifs capable of both narcissistic and social self-sorting. Examination of the interactions between individual components, experimentally and computationally, provided a rationale for the product distribution during each phase of a cascade. This reasoning holds through up to five sequential additions of six building blocks, resulting in the construction of a biomimetic network in which the presence or absence of different components provides multiple unique pathways to distinct self-sorted configurations.     

Supramolecular Chemistry—Scope and Perspectives Molecules,Supermolecules, and Molecular Devices (Nobel Lecture)

Supramolecular chemistry is the chemistry of the intermolecular bond, covering the structures and functions of the entities formed by association of two or more chemical species. Molecular recognition in the supermolecules formed by receptor-substrate binding rests on the principles of molecular complementarity, as found in spherical and tetrahedral recognition, linear recognition by coreceptors, metalloreceptors, amphiphilic receptors, and anion coordination. Supramolecular catalysis by receptors bearing reactive groups effects bond cleavage reactions as well as synthetic bond formation via cocatalysis. Lipophilic receptor molecules act as selective carriers for various substrates and make it possible to set up coupled transport processes linked to electron and proton gradients or to light. Whereas endoreceptors bind substrates in molecular cavities by convergent interactions, exoreceptors rely on interactions between the surfaces of the receptor and the substrate; thus new types of receptors, such as the metallonucleates, may be designed. In combination with polymolecular assemblies, receptors, carriers, and catalysts may lead to molecular and supramolecular devices, defined as structurally organized and functionally integrated chemical systems built on supramolecular architectures. Their recognition, transfer, and transformation features are analyzed specifically from the point of view of molecular devices that would operate via photons, electrons, or ions, thus defining fields of molecular photonics, electronics, and ionics. Introduction of photosensitive groups yields photoactive receptors for the design of light-conversion and charge-separation centers. Redox-active polyolefinic chains represent molecular wires for electron transfer through membranes. Tubular mesophases formed by stacking of suitable macrocyclic receptors may lead to ion channels. Molecular self-assembling occurs with acyclic ligands that form complexes of double-helical structure. Such developments in molecular and supramolecular design and engineering open perspectives towards the realization of molecular photonic, electronic, and ionic devices that would perform highly selective recognition, reaction, and transfer operations for signal and information processing at the molecular level.     

一类新型超分子主体——硫代杯芳烃的研究进展

硫代杯芳烃是一类以硫原子取代桥联亚甲基的新型杯芳烃, 作为新一代超分子砌块, 在分子识别、超分子自组装、晶体工程和纳米材料等方面都获得了广泛的应用, 已成为当今超分子化学研究的新热点. 综述了硫代杯芳烃及其衍生物的合成、功能化修饰及应用方面的研究进展.     

Supramolecular hydrogels containing inorganic salts and acids

l-Lysine-based hydrogelators can form supramolecular hydrogels over a wide pH range and contain inorganic salts and acids, especially, 3 forms hydrogels containing 1 M HCl and H₂SO₄ at 1 g/L.     

Electrochemistry of Supramolecular Systems

What is the role of electrochemistry in supramolecular chemistry? On one hand, it provides information on energy and kinetics that is not available with spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques; on the other, it can be used to alter the electronic states and thus the interactions between molecules, resulting in new compounds and materials. A typical cyclic voltammogram of the complex shown is depicted on the right; only the first three reductions are presented, although a total of six electrons can be transferred to the bipyridine units sequentially (E in V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium).     

卤键在超分子化学中的应用进展

卤键是指作用在卤原子(路易斯酸)和具有孤对电子的原子或π电子体系(路易斯碱)之间的新型弱相互作用,其在超分子多维自组装和分子识别(如超分子催化、超分子选择拆分、超分子传感)等领域有着广泛的应用。本文介绍了卤键的类别、特性、功能及在超分子化学结构与功能领域中的应用。     

超分子化学在药物共晶中的应用

药物共晶是一种新兴的药物晶型, 一个给定的活性药物分子通过形成共晶, 一方面可以大大丰富其结晶形式, 另一方面可以改善其物化性质及临床疗效. 本文从超分子化学的角度对药物共晶进行了综述, 列举了一系列通过氢键超分子合成子进行药物共晶设计和制备的研究实例, 旨在促进超分子化学和药学的交叉融合.     

Molecules with Large Cavities in Supramolecular Chemistry

Supramolecular chemistry is a new area of research that has rapidly developed from pure synthetic chemistry, and its novelty has led to interdisciplinary cooperation between organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, physical and theoretical chemistry, and physics. Whereas molecular chemistry essentially deals with the covalent bonding of atoms, Supramolecular chemistry is predominantly involved in the study of the weaker intermolecular interactions resulting in the association and self-organization of several components to form larger aggregates (supramolecules). The first crown ether discovered by the subsequent Nobel prizewinner Pedersen was more the fortuitous reaction product of an impurity, but nowadays, some twenty-five years later, chemists are able to tailor host molecules to special requirements. Host compounds having a cyclophane skeleton make an important contribution, since their aromatic structural units ensure the necessary rigidity of the molecular structures and thereby improve the preorganization of the coordination sites for the cooperative binding of the guests. During the course of the rapid development of Supramolecular chemistry such a large number of synthetic hosts has been developed and their interaction with guests studied in such depth that we must restrict ourselves here to a discussion of a particular group of host compounds, namely cavity-supporting macrobicyclic and macrooligocyclic phanesu, which bear a similar relation to open-chain and monocyclic hosts as the metal-complexing cryptands to the podands and crown ethers. The molecular architecture of these three-dimensionally bridged macrooligocycles is a challenge for synthetic chemistry. (Not only the size and shape of the intramolecular cavity, but also the provision of the latter with suitable coordination centers have to be included in the synthesis strategy.) The capacity for the envelopment of guests from all sides and the expedient endo functionalization often also produce a particularly strong binding of host and guest, outstanding selectivities with regards to molecular recognition, and special properties of the Supramolecular complexes.