A novel two-dimensional polyrotaxane network self-assembled by heterowheel [4]pseudorotaxane

A novel heterowheel pseudorotaxane comprised of one guest, one cucurbit[7]uril and two cucurbit[6]urils was synthesised and characterised by ¹H NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the heterowheel pseudorotaxane self-assembles into two-dimensional polyrotaxane network with the aid of water molecules and hydrogen bonds. Every four heterowheel pseudorotaxanes self-assemble into a parallelogram, which is the basic unit of the 2D network.     

Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Cucurbit[6]uil and Ionic Liquid in Non‐aqueous System

A novel [2]pseudorotaxane of cucurbit[6]uril(CB[6]) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium bromide ([C₄mim]Br) was synthesized by directly mixing the host and the guest molecules in non‐aqueous system. Structural characterizations of the [2]pseudorotaxane were carried out by 1D, 2D NMR and X‐ray crystallography techniques both in solution and in crystal structure. The crystal structure demonstrated that CB[6] and [C₄mim]Br formed a complex with the ratio 1:1, in which one guest [C₄mim]Br was included inside the CB[6], while two other [C₄mim]Br molecules were free and surrounded the [2]pseudorotaxane as solvent molecules, which could stabilize the crystal structure through hydrogen bonds. Moreover, parallel solvent channels consisting by free [C₄mim]Br molecules occupied the pores among the frame of the pseudorotaxanes and formed zigzag lines in the crystal structure. [C₄mim]Br can serve as not only the guest reactant but also the solvent in the formation of [2]pseudorotaxane formation.     

Toward High‐Generation Rotaxane Dendrimers That Incorporate a Ring Component on Every Branch: Noncovalent Synthesis of a Dendritic [10]Pseudorotaxane with 13 Molecular Components

By taking advantage of the fact that cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) forms exceptionally stable host–guest complexes with protonated amines, and that its homologue CB[8] can encapsulate a pair of electron‐rich and electron‐deficient guest molecules to form a stable 1:1:1 complex, we synthesized a novel dendritic [10]pseudorotaxane, or second‐generation rotaxane dendrimer (from a topological point of view), in which 13 molecular components are held together by noncovalent interactions. A triply branched molecule containing an electron‐deficient bipyridinium unit on each branch formed a branched [4]pseudorotaxane with 3 equivalents of CB[8]. Addition of 3 equivalents of 2,6‐dihydroxynaphthalene produced a first‐generation rotaxane dendrimer, which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and CSI‐MS. The reaction of the branched [4]pseudorotaxane with 3 equivalents of a triply branched molecule that has an electron‐donor unit at one arm and CB[6]‐containing units at the other two gave the dendritic [10]pseudorotaxane, the structure of which was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis titration experiments, and CSI‐MS.     

Binding modes of cucurbit[6]uril and cucurbit[7]uril with a tetracationic bis(viologen) guest

Binding behaviors of two cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]) hosts with the [CH3bpy(CH2)6bpyCH3]4+ (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridinium) guest were investigated by 1H NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS experiments. While the CB[6] and CB[7] form [2]pseudorotaxanes with the host located over the hexamethylene chain of the guest, only the CB[7] forms a [3]pseudorotaxane with both host molecules residing over the bipyridinium groups. The initial CB[7] host vacates the inclusion of the hexamethylene chain as a result of the electrostatic and steric repulsions that would arise in simultaneous binding of adjacent aliphatic and aromatic portions of the guest.     

Binding modes of cucurbit[6]uril and cucurbit[7]uril with a series of bis-pyridinium compounds

Binding behaviors of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) with a series of bis-pyridinium compounds N, N’-hexamethylenebis(1-alkyl-4-carbamoyl pyridinium bromide) (HBPB-n) (alkyl chain length, n = 6, 8 and 10) guests were investigated using ¹H-NMR, ESI–MS and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The results show that CB[6] and CB[7] can form [2]pseudorotaxanes with HBPB-n easily. When increasing the length of tail alkyl chain, the binding site of CB[6] at guest molecules changed from the tail to the middle part, while CB[7] remained located over the tail chain. As CB[6] and CB[7] were added in HBPB-8 aqueous solution, a [3]pseudorotaxane was formed by the inclusion of the internal middle site in CB[6] and the tail chain in CB[7].     

Light- and pH-regulated Water-soluble Pseudorotaxanes Comprising a Cucurbit[7]uril and a Flavylium-based Axle

A linear double pyridinium-terminated thread comprising a central chalcone moiety is shown to provide two independent binding sites with similar affinity for cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) macrocycles in water as judged from NMR, UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. Association results in [2] and [3]pseudorotaxanes, which are both pH and photosensitive. Switching from the neutral chalcone to the cationic flavylium form upon irradiation at 365 nm under acidic conditions provided an enhanced CB7 association (K_1:1 increases from 1.2×10⁵ M⁻¹ to 1.5×10⁸ M⁻¹), limiting spontaneous on-thread cucurbituril shuttling. This co-conformational change in the [2]pseudorotaxane is reversible in the dark with k_obs=4.1×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. Threading the flavylium moiety into CB7 leads to a dramatic increase in the fluorescence quantum yield, from 0.29 in the free axle to 0.97 in the [2]pseudorotaxane and 1.0 in the [3]pseudorotaxane.     

Unidirectional threading of triphenylureidocalix[6]arene-based wheels: oriented pseudorotaxane synthesis

Triphenylureidocalix[6]arenes 5 a,b are heteroditopic receptors having a pinched cone structure able to interact with both the cation and the anion of ion pairs. They are able to act as wheels and form complexes of the pseudorotaxane type with axles derived from dialkylviologen salts. An investigation into the possibility of exploiting the different structural and chemical information present on the two distinct rims of the calixarene wheel as control elements to pivot the direction of the axle threading processes and give access to oriented pseudorotaxanes is reported. It was verified that, in C(6)D(6), an asymmetric dicationic axle derived from 4,4'-bipyridil bearing two alkyl chains, one of which has a stopper, and triphenylureidocalix[6]arenes 5 a or 5 b form 1:1 supramolecular complexes belonging to the class of pseudorotaxanes. The structure of these complexes has been inferred through (1)H NMR techniques. The data show that the axle accesses the calixarene cavity only through the wider rim. To further verify this issue, the new rotaxane 8, obtained by stoppering the pseudorotaxane derived from 5 b and the symmetrical axle 7 with diphenylacetyl chloride, was synthesised. In the (1)H NMR spectrum of 8, the aliphatic protons of the axle portion that resides at the wide rim of the wheel show chemical shifts that are almost identical to those observed in pseudorotaxanes 6. On the other hand, those that stick out of the narrow rim of 8 experience chemical shifts that could not be found in the oriented pseudorotaxanes 6.     

Face-selective [2]- and [3]rotaxanes: kinetic control of the threading direction of cyclodextrins

New [2]- and [3]pseudorotaxanes containing alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CDs) molecules as rotors and alkyl pyridinium derivatives as axles were prepared by a slipping process. The inclusion behavior of these rotaxanes was investigated by using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The methyl group at the 2-position of the pyridinium moiety at the end of each axle molecule was found to control the rates of threading of the alpha-CD onto the axle molecules. alpha-CD can approach axle molecules from a particular direction to form inclusion complexes. Axle molecules that contain a 2-methylpyridinium moiety at one end and a bulky stopper at the other end can regulate the direction of approach to give a [2]pseudorotaxane such as 2 b-alpha-CD. A [3]pseudorotaxane in which two alpha-CD molecules are arranged facing in the same direction at two stations of the tetracationic axle molecule was also obtained. These face-selective behaviors are dominated by kinetic processes rather than thermodynamic processes.     

钡离子驱动荧光准轮烷

含有水溶性季铵盐基团的4-正己氨基-1,8-萘酰亚胺化合物在水中与葫芦脲[6]通过疏水及氢键作用形成准轮烷结构,而且体系荧光波长红移了17nm,荧光强度降低32%.研究表明,往准轮烷溶液中加入与葫芦脲[6]具有强结合力的Ba2+离子会使准轮烷结构离解,体系荧光恢复;而再往溶液中加入SO42-,Ba2+以BaSO4沉淀的形式被除去,这时准轮烷又重新生成.核磁氢谱、紫外-可见吸收光谱、荧光光谱和荧光寿命对体系的结合/离解过程的研究表明这种结合/离解过程是可逆的.本体系可以模拟插头/插座的连接和断开动作.     

Folding and unfolding movements in a [2]pseudorotaxane

A new dibenzo[24]crown-8 derivative (1) was synthesized and functionalized with aromatic moieties such as naphthalene and coumarin units. These two fluorophores are known to form an effective FRET (Forster resonance energy transfer) pair, and this formed the basis for the design of this host crown ether derivative. Results of the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence studies confirmed the resonance energy transfer between the donor naphthalene moiety and acceptor coumarin fragment, while NMR spectra and computational studies support a folded conformation for the uncomplexed crown ether 1. This was found to form an inclusion complex, a [2]pseudorotaxane type with imidazolium ion derivatives as the guest molecules with varying alkyl chain lengths ([C(4)mim](+) or [C(10)mim](+)). The host crown ether (1) tends to adopt an open conformation on formation of the interwoven inclusion complex (1·[C(4)mim](+) or 1·[C(10)mim](+)). This change in conformation, from the folded to a open one, was predicted by computational as well as (1)H NMR studies and was confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure for one (1·[C(4)mim](+)) of the two inclusion complexes. The increase in the effective distance between the naphthalene and coumarin moieties in the open conformation of these inclusion complexes was also supported by the decrease in the effective FRET process that was operational between naphthalene and coumarin moieties in the free molecule (1). Importantly, this inclusion complex formation was found to be reversible, and in the presence of a stronger base/polar solvent, such as triethyl amine/DMSO, the deprotonation/effective solvation of the cationic imidizolium ions ([C(4)mim](+) or [C(10)mim](+)) resulted in decomplexation or dethreading with restoration of the original emission spectra for 1, which signifies the subsequent increase in the FRET process. Thus we could demonstrate that a molecular folding-unfolding type of movement in the crown ether derivative could be induced by chemical input as an imidazolium ion.     

Coordination-driven self-assembly of cavity-cored multiple crown ether derivatives and poly[2]pseudorotaxanes

The synthesis of a new 120 degree diplatinum(II) acceptor unit and the self-assembly of a series of two-dimensional metallacyclic polypseudorotaxanes that utilize both metal-ligand and crown ether-dialkylammonium noncovalent interactions are described. Judiciously combining complementary diplatinum(II) acceptors with bispyridyl donor building blocks, with an acceptor and/or donor possessing a pendant dibenzo[24]crown-8 (DB24C8) moiety, allows for the formation of three new rhomboidal bis-DB24C8, one new hexagonal tris-DB24C8, and four new hexakis-DB24C8 metallacyclic polygons in quantitative yields. The size and shape of each assembly, as well as the location and stoichiometry of the DB24C8 macrocycle, can be precisely controlled. Each polygon is able to complex two, three, or six dibenzylammonium ions without disrupting the underlying metallacyclic polygons, thus producing eight different poly[2]pseudorotaxanes and demonstrating the utility and scope of this orthogonal self-assembly technique. The assemblies are characterized with one-dimensional multinuclear ((1)H and (31)P) and two-dimensional ((1)H-(1)H COSY and NOESY) NMR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Further analysis of the size and shape of each assembly is obtained through molecular force-field simulations. (1)H NMR titration experiments are used to establish thermodynamic binding constants and poly[2]pseudorotaxane/dibenzylammonium stoichiometries. Factors influencing the efficiency of poly[2]pseudorotaxane formation are discussed.     

pH-responsive movement of cucurbit[7]uril in a diblock polypseudorotaxane containing dimethyl beta-cyclodextrin and cucurbit[7]uril

[Structure: see text] A polypseudorotaxane consisting of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7])/N,N'-(3-phenylenebis(methylene)dipropargylamine (PMPA), [2]pseudorotaxane, and 2,6-O-dimethyl beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD)/alpha,omega-bisazidopropylene glycol 400 [2]pseudorotaxane was synthesized using the "click" reaction. The polypseudorotaxane structure was maintained in aqueous solution over a wide range of pH values with the DM-beta-CD units contributing to increased solubilization of the polypseudorotaxane without dethreading. The pH-responsive movement of the CB[7] units in the polypseudorotaxane was also observed.     

Pseudopolyrotaxanes of Cucurbit[6]uril: A Three‐Dimensional Network Self‐assembled by ClO4−(H2O)2 Water Clusters

A pseudorotaxane of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with guest molecule N,N′‐hexamethylenebis (pyrazinyl perchlorate) (BPHP) was synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR spectra, IR, single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of the pseudorotaxane (CB[6]·BPHP) is stabilized by host‐guest hydrogen bonds. Self‐assembly of the pseudorotaxane produces infinite one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional networks with intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In the molecular packing of the CB[6]·BPHP, ClO₄^?(H₂O)₂ water clusters serve as bridges to associate these pseudorotaxanes and form three‐dimensional networked pseudopolyrotaxane.     

In the twilight zone between [2]pseudorotaxanes and [2]rotaxanes

A [2]pseudorotaxane, based on a semi-dumbbell-shaped component containing asymmetrically substituted monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene and 1,5-dioxynaphthalene recognition sites for encirclement by cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) and with a "speed bump" in the form of a thiomethyl group situated between the two recognition sites, has been self-assembled. This supramolecular entity is a mixture in solution of two slowly interconverting [2]pseudorotaxanes, one of which is on the verge of being a [2]rotaxane at room temperature, allowing it to be isolated by employing flash column chromatography. These two [2]pseudorotaxanes were both characterized in solution by UV/Vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopies (1D and 2D) and also by differential pulse voltammetry. The spectroscopic and electrochemical data reveal that one of the complexes behaves wholly as a [2]pseudorotaxane, while the other has some [2]rotaxane character to it. The kinetics of the shuttling of cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) between the monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene and the 1,5-dioxynaphthalene recognition sites have been investigated at different temperatures. The shuttling processes, which are accompanied by detectable color changes, can be monitored using UV/Vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopies; the spectroscopic data have been employed in the determination of the rate constants, free energies of activation, enthalpies of activation, and the entropies of activation for the translation of cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) between the two recognition sites.     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF COPOLYMERS CONTAINING CUCURBIT[6]URIL-BASED PSEUDOROTAXANE STRUCTURE

Novel copolymers based on acrylamide（AM）and complex pseudorotaxane monomer N’-（3-vinylbenzyl）-1,4- diaminobutane dihydrochloride with cucurbit[6]uril（CB[6]）（3VBCB）were prepared via free-radical polymerization in aqueous solution,and characterized by ¹H-NMR,FT-IR,elemental analysis and static light scattering.The compositions of the copolymers（PAM3VBCB）with pseudorotaxane units were determined by ¹H-NMR and elemental analysis.Thermal properties of the copolymers were studied by TGA,and the effects of the copolymer concentration and pH on the average hydrodynamic radius（R_h）of the copolymer molecules were studied by dynamic light scattering（DLS）.The experiment data show that CB[6]beads are localized on 1,4-diaminobutane units in side chains of the copolymers.TGA results show that thermal stability of the copolymer increases with increasing the content of pseudorotaxane unit because of the enhanced rigidity and the bulky steric hindrance of 3VBCB in side chains of PAM3VBCB.DLS data show that the average hydrodynamic radius of copolymer molecules increases with the increase in the copolymer concentration,and both the pH and electrical conductivity of PAM3VBCB solutions demonstrate an acute change with addition of NaOH because of CB[6] dethreading from the side chains of PAM3VBCB.CB[6]threading and dethreading of PAM3VBCB could be controlled by addition of BaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄     

Dynamic switching between single- and double-axial rotaxanes manipulated by charge and bulkiness of axle termini

Twin-axial [3]pseudorotaxanes, in which two multicharged axles simultaneously thread through the gamma-CD cavity, were formed for the first time in solution. The twin-axial [3]pseudorotaxane was converted exclusively to a CB [6]-stoppered [4]pseudorotaxane by the addition of CB[6] but regenerated from the [4]pseudorotaxane by the addition of spermine, implementing an unprecedented switching of single/twin-axial rotaxanation.     

pH-Triggered dethreading-rethreading and switching of cucurbit[6]uril on bistable [3]pseudorotaxanes and [3]rotaxanes

A series of water-soluble [3]rotaxanes-(n+2) and [3]pseudorotaxanes-(n+2) with short (propyl, n=1) and long (dodecyl, n=10) aliphatic spacers have been prepared in high yields by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction catalyzed by cucurbit[6]uril (CB6). The pH-triggered dethreading and rethreading of CB6 on these pseudorotaxanes was monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. A previously reported [3]rotaxane-12 that is known to behave as a bistable molecular switch has two recognition sites for CB6, that is, the diaminotriazole moieties and the dodecyl spacer. By changing the pH of the system, it is possible to observe more than one state in the shuttling process. At low pH values both CB6 units are located on the diaminotriazole moieties owing to an ion-dipole interaction, whereas at high pH values both of the CB6 units are located on the hydrophobic dodecyl spacer. Surprisingly, the CB6 units shuttle back to their initial state very slowly after reprotonation of the axle. Even after eighteen days at room temperature, only about 50 % of the CB6 units had relocated back onto the diaminotriazole moieties. The rate constants for the shuttling processes were measured as a function of temperature over the range from 313 to 333 K and the activation parameters (enthalpy, entropy, and free energy) were calculated by using the Eyring equation. The results indicate that this [3]rotaxane behaves as a kinetically controlled molecular switch. The switching properties of [3]rotaxane-3 have also been studied. However, even under extreme pH conditions this rotaxane has not shown any switching action, which confirms that the propyl spacer is too short to accommodate CB6 units.     

Monofunctionalized pillar[5]arene-based stable [1]pseudorotaxane

A new monofunctionalized pillar[5]arene bearing imidazolium moiety that formed stable [1]pseudorotaxane even at high concentration (100 mmol/L) was reported. [1]Rotaxane was obtained effi ciently through thiol-ene reaction from [1]pseudorotaxane which further confi rmed the formation of [1]pseudorotaxane.     

Radical‐Cation Dimerization Overwhelms Inclusion in [n]Pseudorotaxanes

Suppression of the dimerization of the viologen radical cation by cucurbit[7]uril ( CB7 ) in water is a well‐known phenomenon. Herein, two counter‐examples are presented. Two viologen‐containing thread molecules were designed, synthesized, and thoroughly characterized by ¹H DOSY NMR spectrometry, UV/Vis absorption spectrophotometry, square‐wave voltammetry, and chronocoulometry: BV ⁴⁺, which contains two viologen subunits, and HV ¹²⁺, which contains six. In both threads, the viologen subunits are covalently bonded to a hexavalent phosphazene core. The corresponding [3]‐ and [7]pseudorotaxanes that form on complexation with CB7 , that is, BV ⁴⁺?( CB 7)₂ and HV ¹²⁺?( CB 7)₆, were also analyzed. The properties of two monomeric control threads, namely, methyl viologen ( MV ²⁺) and benzyl methyl viologen ( BMV ²⁺), as well as their [2]pseudorotaxane complexes with CB7 ( MV ²⁺? CB7 and BMV ²⁺? CB7 ) were also investigated. As expected, the control pseudorotaxanes remained intact after one‐electron reduction of their viologen‐recognition stations. In contrast, analogous reduction of BV ⁴⁺?( CB 7)₂ and HV ¹²⁺?( CB 7)₆ led to host–guest decomplexation and release of the free threads BV ^{2( . +)} and HV ^{6( . +)}, respectively. ¹H DOSY NMR spectrometric and chronocoulometric measurements showed that BV ^{2( . +)} and HV ^{6( . +)} have larger diffusion coefficients than the corresponding [3]‐ and [7]pseudorotaxanes, and UV/Vis absorption studies provided evidence for intramolecular radical‐cation dimerization. These results demonstrate that radical‐cation dimerization, a relatively weak interaction, can be used as a driving force in novel molecular switches.     

Isomeric [2]rotaxanes and unidirectional [2]pseudorotaxane composed of alpha-cyclodextrin and aliphatic chain-linked carbazole-viologen compounds

[structure: see text] Capping the alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) complex of 1-(N-carbazole)-10-[4-(4-pyridinio)-1-pyridinio]decane with 3,5-dimethoxybenzyl bromide in DMF gives two isomeric [2]rotaxanes, 2a and 2b, while alpha-CD and 1-(N-carbazole)-10-[4-(1-methyl-4-pyridnino)-1-pyridinio]decane 3 in water form mostly a unidirectional [2]pseudorotaxane having the same alpha-CD orientation as 2b. Structures were elucidated from 1H NMR and circular dichroism spectra. The orientational specificity of alpha-CD in the 3/alpha-CD [2]pseudorotaxane is due to the slow dethreading rate of the 2b-type isomer.