Dual Self-Sorting by Cucurbit[8]uril To Transform
a Mixed Micelle to Vesicle
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
A systematic
study on the cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) assisted transformation
of a mixed micellar system of CTAB and a viologen surfactant to vesicles
is depicted. The micelle to vesicle transformation is assisted by
a charge transfer complex mediated ternary complexation between the
viologen group of the surfactant, CB[8], and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene.
In the presence of CB[8], both the surfactants formed U-shaped binary
inclusion complexes inside the CB[8] cavity, and no selective binding
is observed. Upon addition of DHN, CB[8] showed two different self-sorting
mechanisms. The U-shaped binary complex with CTAB breaks down, and
CB[8] moves toward the viologen headgroup of the other surfactant
to form a stable ternary complex. In the case of the viologen surfactant,
CB[8] moved toward the headgroup leaving the hydrophobic tail free
in order to form the ternary complex. The mechanistic detail of this
micelle to vesicle transformation is revealed through methodical studies
using <sup>1</sup>H and DOSY NMR, ESI-MS, ITC, and other instrumental
techniques