Coordination of lanthanides in the inverted cucurbituril supramolecular assemblies formed in the presence of tetrachloride zincate anion: Potential applications for isolation of lighter lanthanides

Covalent Organic Frameworks: From Structures to Applications

Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks possess hierarchical nanopores, enormous surface areas with high porosity, and open positions. The synthesis of large crystals of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks is a challenge, since different structures are generated during the synthesis. Presently, their synthesis with new topologies for promising applications has been developed by the use of building units with varied geometries. Covalent organic frameworks have multiple applications: chemical sensing, fabrication of electronic devices, heterogeneous catalysts, etc. We have presented the techniques for the synthesis of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks, their properties, and their potential applications in this review.

Potential Applications of Cucurbit[n]urils and Their Derivatives in the Capture of Hazardous Chemicals

Cucurbit[n]urils (Q[n]s) are a relatively young family of macrocycles, consisting of glycoluril units bridged by methylene groups, and their unique structures have attracted extensive attention from chemists in recent decades. Due to the presence of a rigid hydrophobic inner cavity and two polar outer portals lined with carbonyl groups, Q[n]s not only encapsulate guest species into the cavity, but also coordinate with metal ions/clusters. Considerable achievements have been obtained in the fields of Q[n]s-based host-guest chemistry, coordination chemistry, as well as the combination of host-guest and coordination chemistry. Furthermore, the outer surface of Q[n]s has been demonstrated to be capable of interacting with definite species to generate supramolecular architectures in recent years. With more in-depth research into Q[n]s, their application studies have also emerged as a hot topic. This Minireview focuses on recent advances in the potential applications of solid-state materials based on Q[n]s and their derivatives for the capture and adsorption of hazardous chemicals from a solution or a gas mixture.

Coordination and Supramolecular Assemblies of Fully Substituted Cyclopentanocucurbit[6]uril with Lanthanide Cations in the Presence of Tetrachlorozincate Anions, and Their Potential Applications

Coordination and supramolecular assemblies of a fully substituted cyclopentanocucurbit[6]uril (CyP₆Q[6]) with a series of lanthanide cations (Ln³⁺) have been investigated in the presence of tetrachlorozincate anion ([ZnCl₄]^2-). X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis has revealed that the interaction of CyP₆Q[6] and a series of Ln³⁺cations unexpectedly results in the formation of at least seven different CyP₆Q[6]-based coordination complex adduct and supramolecular assemblies groups, including with (1) La³⁺, Ce³⁺cations; (2) Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺cations; (3) Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ with P1̅ or P1 space group, in which CyP₆Q[6] molecules coordinate alternatively with Ln³⁺cations and form linear coordination polymers; (4) CyP₆Q[6] molecules interact alternatively with [Ho(H₂O)₈]³⁺ aqueous complexes and form linear supramolecular chains; CyP₆Q[6] molecules can assemble two different Ln³⁺ free porous supramolecular assemblies from CyP₆Q[6]-Ln(NO₃)₃-ZnCl₂-HCl systems, Ln = Tm, Yb, and Lu; however, no solid crystals were obtained from system containing Er³⁺cation. Thus, these differences could lead CyP₆Q[6] to be useful in not only the isolation of lighter lanthanides from their heavier lanthanides but also special selectivity for different volatile organic compounds.

Synthesis and Structure of the Inclusion Complex {NdQ[5]K@Q[10](H₂O)₄}·4NO₃·20H₂O

Heating a mixture of Nd(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, KCl, Q[10] and Q[5] in HCl for 10 min affords the inclusion complex {NdQ[5]K@Q[10](H₂O)₄}·4NO₃·20H₂O. The structure of the inclusion complex has been investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction and by X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Supramolecular assemblies constructed from inverted cucurbit[7]uril and lanthanide cations: synthesis, structure and sorption properties

The interaction of a series of lanthanide cations (Ln³⁺) with inverted cucurbit[7]uril (iQ[7]) in the presence of [ZnCl₄]²⁻ anions as a structure-directing agent have been investigated.