Supramolecular nanoscale systems based on amphiphilic tetramethylensulfonatocalix[4]resorcinarenes and cationic polyelectrolyte with controlled guest molecule binding

The role of macrocycles in supramolecular assembly with polymers

Recently, supramolecular self-assembly has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide because it enables the creation of nanostructures with unique properties without additional costs. Spontaneous organization of molecules allows the design and development of new nanostructures that can interact with drugs and living cells and generate a response. Therefore, supramolecular structures have enormous potential and can be in demand in various fields of healthcare and ecology. One of the widely used building blocks of such supramolecular assemblies is polymers. This review examines the joint aggregation behavior of various macrocycles (cyclodextrins, calixarenes, cucurbiturils, porphyrins, and pillararenes) with polymers, the functional properties of these supramolecular systems and their potential applications.

Self-Assembling Systems Based on Pillar[5]arenes and Surfactants for Encapsulation of Diagnostic Dye DAPI

In this paper, we report the development of the novel self-assembling systems based on oppositely charged Pillar[5]arenes and surfactants for encapsulation of diagnostic dye DAPI. For this purpose, the aggregation behavior of synthesized macrocycles and surfactants in the presence of Pillar[5]arenes functionalized by carboxy and ammonium terminal groups was studied. It has been demonstrated that by varying the molar ratio in Pillar[5]arene-surfactant systems, it is possible to obtain various types of supramolecular systems: host-guest complexes at equimolar ratio of Pillar[5]arene-surfactant and interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) are self-assembled materials formed in aqueous medium by two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (macrocycle and surfactant micelles). It has been suggested that interaction of Pillar[5]arenes with surfactants is predominantly driven by cooperative electrostatic interactions. Synthesized stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric IPECs specifically interact with DAPI. UV-vis, luminescent spectroscopy and molecular docking data show the structural feature of dye-loaded IPEC and key role of the electrostatic, π-π-stacking, cation-π interactions in their formation. Such a strategy for the design of supramolecular Pillar[5]arene-surfactant systems will lead to a synergistic interaction of the two components and will allow specific interaction with the third component (drug or fluorescent tag), which will certainly be in demand in pharmaceuticals and biomedical diagnostics.

Calixarenes: Generalities and Their Role in Improving the Solubility, Biocompatibility, Stability, Bioavailability, Detection, and Transport of Biomolecules

The properties and characteristics of calix[n]arenes are described, as well as their capacity to form amphiphilic assemblies by means of the design of synthetic macrocycles with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. Their interaction with various substances of interest in pharmacy, engineering, and medicine is also described. In particular, the role of the calix[n]arenes in the detection of dopamine, the design of vesicles and liposomes employed in the manufacture of systems of controlled release drugs used in the treatment of cancer, and their role in improving the solubility of testosterone and anthelmintic drugs and the biocompatibility of biomaterials useful for the manufacture of synthetic organs is emphasized. The versatility of these macrocycles, able to vary in size, shape, functional groups, and hydrophobicity and to recognize various biomolecules and molecules with biological activity without causing cytotoxicity is highlighted.

The supramolecular polymer complexes with oppositely charged calixresorcinarene: hydrophobic domain formation and synergistic binding modes

The association of branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) with a series of octacarboxy-calixresorcinarenes bearing different low-rim substituents leads to the formation of nanosized supramolecular complexes. The PEI-macrocycle complexes have fine-tunable sizes regulated by variations in the self-association capacity of the calixresorcinarenes. In the supramolecular complexes, hydrophobic fragments of the polymer and calixresorcinarenes form cooperative hydrophobic domains which provide synergistic enhancement of guest molecule binding. The formation of the supramolecular complexes was investigated by NMR FT-PGSE, NMR 2D NOESY, DLS and TEM methods. In addition, fluorimetry and UV-vis methods were used with the help of optical probes, namely water-soluble Crystal Violet and water-insoluble Orange OT. The investigation demonstrates the first example of the formation of cooperative hydrophobic domains in supramolecular polyelectrolyte-macrocycle complexes which enhance the binding of both water-soluble and water-insoluble organic compounds. The presented supramolecular systems have potential as sensory and drug delivery systems.