Halogen-bonded solvates of tetrahaloethynyl cavitands

The formation and structures of halogen-bonded solvates of three different tetrahaloethynyl cavitands with acetone, chloroform, acetonitrile, DMF and DMSO were prepared and investigated. The inclusion and host-guest behaviour of the resorcinarene cavitands was found to be highly dependent on the flexibility of the ethylene-bridging unit

Bamboo-like Chained Cavities and Other Halogen-Bonded Complexes from Tetrahaloethynyl Cavitands with Simple Ditopic Halogen Bond Acceptors

Halogen bonding provides a useful complement to hydrogen bonding and metal-coordination as a tool for organizing supramolecular systems. Resorcinarenes, tetrameric bowl-shaped cavitands, have been previously shown to function as efficient scaffolds for generating dimeric capsules in both solution and solid-phase, and complicated one-, two-, and three-dimensional frameworks in the solid phase. Tetrahaloethynyl resorcinarenes (bromide and iodide) position the halogen atoms in a very promising crown-like orientation for acting as organizing halogen-bond donors to help build capsules and higher-order networks. Symmetric divalent halogen bond acceptors including bipyridines, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane are very promising halogen bond accepting partners for creating these systems. This report describes the complex structures arising from combining these various systems including self-included dimers, herringbone-packed architectures enclosing medium (186 Å3) cavities, and a very intriguing bamboo-like one-dimensional rod with large (683 Å3) cavities between adjacent dimeric units. These various structures, all organized through host-host, host-acceptor, and host-solvent interactions highlight the emergent complexity of these types of complexes. As halogen bonds are weaker than hydrogen-bonds, the resulting architectures are harder to predict, and these results provide additional insight into the parameters requiring consideration when designing crystalline supramolecular systems using halogen-bonds as the core organizing principle

Host-guest complexes of C-propyl-2-bromoresorcinarene with aromatic N-oxides\u3csup\u3e*\u3c/sup\u3e

The host-guest complexes of C-propyl-2-bromoresorcinarene with pyridine N-oxide, 3-methylpyridine N-oxide, quinoline N-oxide and isoquinoline N-oxide are studied using single crystal X-ray crystallography and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The C-propyl-2-bromoresorcinarene forms endo-complexes with the aromatic N-oxides in the solid-state when crystallised from either methanol or acetone. In solution, the endo-complexes were observed only in methanol-d4. In DMSO the solvent itself is a good guest, and crystallisation provides only solvate endo-complexes. The C-propyl-2-bromoresorcinarene shows remarkable flexibility when crystallised from either methanol or acetone, and packs into one-dimensional self-included chains. Of special note, crystallising C-propyl-2-bromoresorcinarene with 3-methylpyridine N-oxide from acetone results in a 2:2 dimeric capsular assembly organised through both C−H···πhost and N−O···(H−O)host interactions

Sharing the salt bowl: counterion identity drives N-alkyl resorcinarene affinity for pyrophosphate in water

N-Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chloride receptors, NARX4, have been shown to act as high-sensitivity detectors of pyrophosphate (PPi), a biomarker of disease, in aqueous media through the chloride-to-PPi exchange [NAR(Cl)4 to NARPPi]. The nature of the anion of the macrocyclic NARX4 (X = Cl−, Br−, triflate OTf−) receptor greatly influences the PPi-affinity in aqueous media. The binding affinity for [NAR (Cl)4] is 3.61 × 105 M−1, while the NAR (Br)4 and NAR (OTf)4 show stronger binding of 5.30 × 105 M−1, and 6.10 × 105 M−1, respectively. The effects of upper rim ammonium cation, –N+H2R substituents (R = 3-hydroxypropyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl, or napththalen-1-ylmethyl), of the macrocyclic resorcinarene hosts have also been evaluated. The highest affinity was obtained using 3-hydroxypropyl groups due to the additional hydrogen bonds and the naphthyl upper-rim group that provides a larger hydrophobic surface area and favorable stacking interaction (i.e., π–π and CH–π). We note that two PPi molecules can bind to the more selective receptors through an additional interaction with the lower rim hydroxyls, making the resorcinarene a divalent binder. Comparing PPi with other phosphate anions (PO43−, AMP, ADP, and ATP) shows that the receptors are more selective for PPi due to the size and charge complementarity. Experimental (1H, 31P NMR, and isothermal titration calorimetry), and computational analyses support the reported trends for PPi selectivity even in highly competing aqueous media

High-affinity and selective detection of pyrophosphate in water by a resorcinarene salt receptor

Pyrophosphate (PPi) is a byproduct of DNA and RNA synthesis, and abnormal levels are indicative of disease. We report the high-affinity binding of PPi in water by N-alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chloride receptors. Experimental analysis using 1H and 31P NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and UV-vis spectroscopy all support exceptional selectivity of these systems for PPi in water. The measured affinity of K1 = 1.60 × 107 M-1 for PPi is three orders of magnitude larger than that observed for binding to another phosphate, ATP. This exceptional anion-binding affinity in water is explored through a detailed density functional theory computational study. These systems provide a promising avenue for the development of future innovative medical diagnostic tools

Naphthalene-functionalized resorcinarene as selective, fluorescent self-quenching sensor for kynurenic acid†

Kynurenic acid is a by-product of tryptophan metabolism in humans, with abnormal levels indicative of disease. There is a need for water-soluble receptors that selectively bind kynurenic acid, allowing for detection and quantification. We report here the high-affinity binding of kynurenic acid in aqueous media to a resorcinarene salt receptor decorated with four flexible naphthalene groups at the upper rim. Experimental results from 1H NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry, and electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies all support high-affinity binding and selectivity for kynurenic acid over tryptophan. The measured binding constant (K = 1.46 ± 0.21 × 105 M−1) is one order of magnitude larger than that observed with other resorcinarene receptors. The present host–guest system can be employed for sensory recognition of kynurenic acid. Computational studies reveal the key role of a series of cooperative attractive intra- and inter-molecular interactions contributing to an optimal binding process in this system

Crystalline cyclophane-protein cage frameworks

open10siCyclophanes are macrocyclic supramolecular hosts famous for their ability to bind atomic or molecular guests via noncovalent interactions within their well-defined cavities. In a similar way, porous crystalline networks, such as metal organic frameworks, can create microenvironments that enable controlled guest binding in the solid state. Both types of materials often consist of synthetic components, and they have been developed within separate research fields. Moreover, the use of biomolecules as their structural units has remained elusive. Here, we have synthesized a library of organic cyclophanes and studied their electrostatic self-assembly with biological metal-binding protein cages (ferritins) into ordered structures. We show that cationic pillar[S]arenes and ferritin cages form biohybrid cocrystals with an open protein network structure. Our cyclophane-protein cage frameworks bridge the gap between molecular frameworks and colloidal nanoparticle crystals and combine the versatility of synthetic supramolecular hosts with the highly selective recognition properties of biomolecules. Such host-guest materials are interesting for porous material applications, including water remediation and heterogeneous catalysis.openBeyeh N.K.; Nonappa; Liljestrom V.; Mikkila J.; Korpi A.; Bochicchio D.; Pavan G.M.; Ikkala O.; Ras R.H.A.; Kostiainen M.A.Beyeh, N. K.; Nonappa, ; Liljestrom, V.; Mikkila, J.; Korpi, A.; Bochicchio, D.; Pavan, G. M.; Ikkala, O.; Ras, R. H. A.; Kostiainen, M. A

Inclusion complexes of Cethyl-2-methylresorcinarene and pyridine N-oxides: breaking the C–I⋯−O–N+ halogen bond by host–guest complexation

C ethyl-2-Methylresorcinarene forms host–guest complexes with aromatic N-oxides through multiple intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C–H⋯π interactions. The host shows conformational flexibility to accommodate 3-methylpyridine N-oxide, while retaining a crown conformation for 2-methyl- and 4-methoxypyridine N-oxides highlighting the substituent effect of the guest. N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide, a 6-membered ring aliphatic N-oxide with a methyl at the N-oxide nitrogen, is bound by the equatorial −N–CH3 group located deep in the cavity. 2-Iodopyridine N-oxide is the only guest that manifests intermolecular N–O⋯I–C halogen bond interactions, which are broken down by the host resulting in a 2 : 2 pseudocapsular complex stabilized by additional C–I⋯π interactions between the two 2-iodopyridine N-oxides located in two adjacent hosts. These host–guest complexes were analyzed in the solid state by single crystal X-ray crystallography and in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy.peerReviewe

Concerted Halogen-Bonded Networks with N-Alkyl Ammonium Resorcinarene Bromides: From Dimeric Dumbbell to Capsular Architectures

N-Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene bromides and 1,4-diiodooctafluorobutane via multiple intermolecular halogen bonds (XB) form different exotic supramolecular architectures through subtle changes of the upper rim substituents. Dimeric dumbbell-like assembly with encapsulated guest molecules is generated with N-benzyl substituents. The N-hexyl groups engender an XB-induced polymeric pseudocapsule and an XB-induced dimeric capsule with entrapped 1,4-dioxane guest molecules. The N-propyl and N-cyclohexyl groups generate deep cavity cavitands. The deep cavity cavitands possess cavities for self-inclusion leading to polymeric herringbone arrangement in one direction and that pack into 3D polymeric arrangement resembling egg crate-like supramolecular networks. These assemblies are studied in solution via NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state via X-ray crystallography.peerReviewe