Understanding the complexation of aliphatic and aromatic acids guests with octa acid

Spectroscopic Insights of an Emissive Complex between 4'-N,N-Diethylaminoflavonol in Octa-Acid Deep-Cavity Cavitand and Rhodamine 6G

Excited-state chemistry relies on the communication between molecules, making it a crucial aspect of the field. One important question that arises is whether intermolecular communication and its rate can be modified when a molecule is confined. To explore the interaction in such systems, we investigated the ground and excited states of 4'-N,N-diethylaminoflavonol (DEA3HF) in an octa acid-based (OA) confined medium and in ethanolic solution, both in the presence of Rhodamine 6G (R6G). Despite the observed spectral overlap between the flavonol emission and the R6G absorption, as well as the fluorescence quenching of the flavonol in the presence of R6G, the almost constant fluorescence lifetime at different amounts of R6G discards the presence of FRET in the studied systems. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence indicate the formation of an emissive complex between the proton transfer dye encapsulated within water-soluble supramolecular host octa acid (DEA3HF@(OA)₂) and R6G. A similar result was observed between DEA3HF:R6G in ethanolic solution. The respective Stern-Volmer plots corroborate with these observations, suggesting a static quenching mechanism for both systems.

Ultrafast Excited State Dynamics of Spatially Confined Organic Molecules

This Feature Article highlights the role of spatial confinement in controlling the fundamental behavior of molecules. Select examples illustrate the value of using space as a tool to control and understand excited-state dynamics through a combination of ultrafast spectroscopy and conventional steady-state methods. Molecules of interest were confined within a closed molecular capsule, derived from a cavitand known as octa acid (OA), whose internal void space is sufficient to accommodate molecules as long as tetracene and as wide as pyrene. The free space, i.e., the space that is left following the occupation of the guest within the host, is shown to play a significant role in altering the behavior of guest molecules in the excited state. The results reported here suggest that in addition to weak interactions that are commonly emphasized in supramolecular chemistry, the extent of empty space (i.e., the remaining void space within the capsule) is important in controlling the excited-state behavior of confined molecules on ultrafast time scales. For example, the role of free space in controlling the excited-state dynamics of guest molecules is highlighted by probing the cis-trans isomerization of stilbenes and azobenzenes within the OA capsule. Isomerization of both types of molecule are slowed when they are confined within a small space, with encapsulated azobenzenes taking a different reaction pathway compared to that in solution upon excitation to S₂. In addition to steric constraints, confinement of reactive molecules in a small space helps to override the need for diffusion to bring the reactants together, thus enabling the measurement of processes that occur faster than the time scale for diffusion. The advantages of reducing free space and confining reactive molecules are illustrated by recording unprecedented excimer emission from anthracene and by measuring ultrafast electron transfer rates across the organic molecular wall. By monitoring the translational motion of anthracene pairs in a restricted space, it has been possible to document the pathway undertaken by excited anthracene from inception to the formation of the excimer on the excited-state surface. Similarly, ultrafast electron transfer experiments pursued here have established that the process is not hindered by a molecular wall. Apparently, the electron can cross the OA capsule wall provided the donor and acceptor are in close proximity. Measurements on the ultrafast time scale provide crucial insights for each of the examples presented here, emphasizing the value of both "space" and "time" in controlling and understanding the dynamics of excited molecules.

Guest/Host Complexes of Octa Acid and Amphiphilic Benzylidene-3-methylimidazolidinones Exchange Hosts within the NMR Time Scale

Cavitand octa acid (OA) is established to form a stable capsular assembly with one or two hydrophobic guest molecules (1:2 or 2:2 guest/host complex). Examples are known in which the guest molecule tumbles within the capsule without disrupting the structure of the capsuleplex. This process makes the two OA molecules that form the capsule magnetically equivalent. In this study, we have examined the dynamics of capsules that host amphiphilic benzylidene-3-methylimidazolidinone molecules as guests. In these capsuleplexes, although the guest does not tumble, the two OA molecules become magnetically equivalent because the two OA molecules that form the capsule exchange their positions in the NMR time scale. This is equivalent to the content of the capsule remaining stationary while the capsule swirls around it. Benzylidene-3-methylimidazolidinones form both 1:1 and 1:2 supramolecular complexes with cavitand OA. Two-dimensional NMR, ROESY, and NOESY data suggest that in a 300 ms time scale, the two halves of the capsule exchange between themselves and with free OA. The conclusion drawn here provides valuable information concerning the stability of the OA capsuleplex and cavitandplex that is used as the well-defined space to control the excited-state chemistry and dynamics of confined guest molecules.