Cation controlled rotation in anionic pillar[5]arenes and its application for fluorescence switch

Chiral Rotaxane-Branched Dendrimers as Relays in Artificial Light-Harvesting Systems with Boosted Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Starting from AIEgen-functionalized chiral [2]rotaxane building block, we have successfully synthesized a new class of chiral rotaxane-branched dendrimers through controllable divergent strategy for the first time, based on which novel chiral artificial light-harvesting systems (LHSs) were successfully constructed in aqueous phase by sequentially introducing achiral donor and acceptor. More importantly, accompanied by the two-step Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process in the resultant artificial LHSs, the sequentially amplified circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) performances were achieved, highlighting that the chiral rotaxane-branched dendrimers could serve as excellent relay for both energy transfer and chirality transmission. Impressively, compared with the sole chiral rotaxane-branched dendrimers, the dissymmetry factors (glum) values of the resultant artificial LHSs were amplified by one order of magnitude up to 0.038, enabling their further applications in information storage and encryption. The proof-of concept study provides not only a feasible approach for the efficient amplification of CPL performances but also a novel platform for the construction of novel chiral luminescent materials.

Synthesis of supramolecular polymers with calix[4]arene and β-cyclodextrin and their application in heavy metal ion absorption

Two categories of supramolecular polymer monomers were produced by introducing the ureidopyrimidone quadruple-hydrogen bonding assemblies on the calix[4]arene and the β-cyclodextrin host units. The adsorption capacity of these supramolecular polymers for different metal ions was investigated by static adsorption. The results showed that at pH = 6 and when the adsorption equilibrium was reached, the supramolecular polymer with calixarene and β-cyclodextrin as the main body adsorbed up to 99% of Pb2+ and Cd2+, respectively. Also, the supramolecular polymer connected with six carbon chains on β-cyclodextrin had better recognition of Cd2+ and Pb2+, and the highest adsorption rate reached 99%. Industrial adsorbent materials from such supramolecular polymers will provide more options for water pollution control, especially for heavy metal ions.

A chiral supramolecular liquid crystal based on pillararene and its application in information encryption

A chiral supramolecular liquid crystal based on a pillararene mesogen was constructed. The regulation of liquid crystal behavior was achieved through the host-guest interactions between the pillararene-based mesogen and a tetraphenylethylene-containing guest. In addition, this supramolecular liquid crystal system, showing pH-responsive fluorescence emission character, was applied as an information encryption material capable of storing multiple levels of distinct information, thereby enriching the application of liquid crystal materials in the field of information security.

Phenyl-Extended Resorcin[4]arenes: Synthesis and Highly Efficient Iodine Adsorption

The continuous exploration of new analogs of calixarenes and pillararenes unlocks infinite opportunities in supramolecular chemistry and materials. In this work, we introduce a new class of macrocycle, phenyl-extended resorcin[4]arenes (ExR4), a unique and innovative design that incorporates unsubstituted phenylene moieties into the resorcin[4]arene scaffold. Single-crystal analysis reveals a chair-like conformation for per-methylated ExR4 (Me-ExR4) and a twisted "Figure-of-eight" shaped conformation for per-hydroxylated ExR4 (OH-ExR4). Notably, OH-ExR4 demonstrates exceptional adsorption capability toward I3 - ions in an aqueous solution, with a rapid kinetic rate of 1.18×10-2 g ⋅ mg-1 ⋅ min-1. Furthermore, OH-ExR4 shows excellent recyclability and potential as a stationary phase in column setups. The discovery of ExR4 opens up new avenues for constructing new macrocycles and inspires further research in functional adsorption materials for water pollutant removal.

A Multiresponsive Ferrocene-Based Chiral Overcrowded Alkene Twisting Liquid Crystals

The reversible modulation of chirality has gained significant attention not only for fundamental stereochemical studies but also for numerous applications ranging from liquid crystals (LCs) to molecular motors and machines. This requires the construction of switchable molecules with (multiple) chiral elements in a highly enantioselective manner, which is often a significant synthetic challenge. Here, we show that the dimerization of an easily accessible enantiopure planar chiral ferrocene-indanone building block affords a multi-stimuli-responsive dimer (FcD) with pre-determined double bond geometry, helical chirality, and relative orientation of the two ferrocene motifs in high yield. This intrinsically planar chiral switch can not only undergo thermal or photochemical E/Z isomerization but can also be reversibly and quantitatively oxidized to both a monocationic and a dicationic state which is associated with significant changes in its (chir)optical properties. Specifically, FcD acts as a chiral dopant for cholesteric LCs with a helical twisting power (HTP) of 13 μm-1 which, upon oxidation, drops to near zero, resulting in an unprecedently large redox-tuning of the LC reflection color by up to 84 nm. Due to the straightforward stereoselective synthesis, FcD, and related chiral switches, are envisioned to be powerful building blocks for multi-stimuli-responsive molecular machines and in LC-based materials.

Kinetic-thermodynamic correlation of conformational changes in ammonium complexes of a flexible naphthocage

Conformational changes in non-covalent complexes are of fundamental importance to many chemical and biological processes. Yet, these low-energy structural changes are usually fast and difficult to monitor, which poses challenges in their detailed kinetic understanding. The correlation between kinetics and thermodynamics of the conformational change of a model supramolecular system featuring a flexible naphthocage and quaternary ammonium guests is described in this work. Guest binding initially locks the host in two major conformations, which then equilibrates over time to the more stable conformer. The overall rate of the system to attain conformational equilibrium is found to inversely correlate with the thermodynamic stability of the host-guest complexes, and hence not only can the kinetic parameters of the conformational exchange be predicted from the easily obtainable thermodynamic data, but the kinetic profile can also be rationalized by using the structural properties of the different guests.

A Pillararene-Based Cavitand: Synthesis and Solid-State Capsular Assemblies Induced by Linear Alkanes with Specific Lengths

Herein, a novel pillararene-based cavitand with fixed planar chirality was synthesized by the SuFEx reaction. As demonstrated by single crystal X-ray analysis, host-guest capsules involving this cavitand and linear alkanes with specific lengths are observed in the solid state. The formation of each capsule is driven by hydrogen bonding interactions between a linear alkane molecule and two cavitand molecules, as well as noncovalent interactions between the two cavitand molecules in this capsule.

Precise recognition of benzonitrile derivatives with supramolecular macrocycle of phosphorylated cavitand by co-crystallization method

The importance of molecular docking in drug discovery lies in the precise recognition between potential drug compounds and their target receptors, which is generally based on the computational method. However, it will become quite interesting if the rigid cavity structure of supramolecular macrocycles can precisely recognize a series of guests with specific fragments by mimicking molecular docking through co-crystallization experiments. Herein, we report a phenylphosphine oxide-bridged aromatic supramolecular macrocycle, F[3]A1-[P(O)Ph]3, which precisely recognizes benzonitrile derivatives through non-covalent interactions to form key-lock complexes by co-crystallization method. A total of 15 various benzonitrile derivatives as guest molecules are specifically bound by F[3]A1-[P(O)Ph]3 in co-crystal structures, respectively. Notably, among them, crisaborole (anti-dermatitis) and alectinib (anti-cancer) with the benzonitrile fragment, which are two commercial drug molecules approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), could also form a key-lock complex with F[3]A1-[P(O)Ph]3 in the crystal state, respectively.

Recent advances in supramolecular fullerene chemistry

Fullerene chemistry has come a long way since 1990, when the first bulk production of C60 was reported. In the past decade, progress in supramolecular chemistry has opened some remarkable and previously unexpected opportunities regarding the selective (multiple) functionalization of fullerenes and their (self)assembly into larger structures and frameworks. The purpose of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of these recent developments. We describe how macrocycles and cages that bind strongly to C60 can be used to block undesired addition patterns and thus allow the selective preparation of single-isomer addition products. We also discuss how the emergence of highly shape-persistent macrocycles has opened opportunities for the study of photoactive fullerene dyads and triads as well as the preparation of mechanically interlocked compounds. The preparation of two- or three-dimensional fullerene materials is another research area that has seen remarkable progress over the past few years. Due to the rapidly decreasing price of C60 and C70, we believe that these achievements will translate into all fields where fullerenes have traditionally (third-generation solar cells) and more recently been applied (catalysis, spintronics).

Synergistically Boosting the Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Functionalized Pillar[5]arenes by Polymerization and Aggregation

Supramolecular polymers based on chiral macrocycles have attracted increasing attention in the field of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) owing to their unique properties. However, the construction of macrocyclic supramolecular polymers with highly efficient CPL properties in aggregate states still remains challenging. Herein, w e constructed a class of macrocycle-based coordination polymers by combining the planar chiral properties of pillar[5]arene with the excellent fluorescence properties of aggregation-induced emission luminogens. The formation of polymers enhances both the fluorescence and chiral properties, resulting in chiral supramolecular polymers with remarkable CPL properties. Increasing the aggregation degree of the polymers can further improve their CPL properties, as evidenced by a 21-fold increase in the dissymmetry factor and an over 25-fold increase in the fluorescence quantum yield in the aggregate state compared to the solution state. Such a synergistic effect of polymerization- and aggregation-enhanced CPL can be explained by the restriction of intramolecular motions and aggregation-induced conformation confinement. This work provides a promising method for developing highly efficient CPL supramolecular polymers.

Applications of Supramolecular Polymers Generated from Pillar[n]arene-Based Molecules

Supramolecular chemistry enables the manipulation of functional components on a molecular scale, facilitating a "bottom-up" approach to govern the sizes and structures of supramolecular materials. Using dynamic non-covalent interactions, supramolecular polymers can create materials with reversible and degradable characteristics and the abilities to self-heal and respond to external stimuli. Pillar[n]arene represents a novel class of macrocyclic hosts, emerging after cyclodextrins, crown ethers, calixarenes, and cucurbiturils. Its significance lies in its distinctive structure, comparing an electron-rich cavity and two finely adjustable rims, which has sparked considerable interest. Furthermore, the straightforward synthesis, uncomplicated functionalization, and remarkable properties of pillar[n]arene based on supramolecular interactions make it an excellent candidate for material construction, particularly in generating interpenetrating supramolecular polymers. Polymers resulting from supramolecular interactions involving pillar[n]arene find potential in various applications, including fluorescence sensors, substance adsorption and separation, catalysis, light-harvesting systems, artificial nanochannels, and drug delivery. In this context, we provide an overview of these recent frontier research fields in the use of pillar[n]arene-based supramolecular polymers, which serves as a source of inspiration for the creation of innovative functional polymer materials derived from pillar[n]arene derivatives.

Mechanically Interlocked [2]Rotaxane Aerogels with Tunable Morphologies and Mechanical Properties

Mechanical bonds have been utilized as promising motifs to construct mechanically interlocked aerogels (MIAs) with mechanical adaptivity and multifunctionality. However, fabricating such aerogels with not only precise chemical structures but also dynamic features remains challenging. Herein, we present MIAs carrying dense [2]rotaxane units, which bestow both the stability and flexibility of the aerogel network. Owing to the stable chemical structure of a [2]rotaxane, MIAs possessing a precise and full-scale mechanically interlocked network could be fabricated with the aid of diverse solvents. In addition, the dynamic nature of the [2]rotaxane resulted in morphologies and mechanical performances of the MIAs that can be dramatically modulated under chemical stimuli. We hope that the structure-property relationship in MIAs will facilitate the development of mechanically interlocked materials and provide novel opportunities toward constructing smart materials with multifunctionalities.