/pdf/cucurbituril-based-molecular-recognition-1yel6nqgf4.pdf

Cucurbituril-Based Molecular Recognition.

In the wide area of supramolecular chemistry, cucurbit[n]urils (CBn) present themselves as a young family of molecular containers, able to form stable complexes with various guests, including drug molecules, amino acids and peptides, saccharides, dyes, hydrocarbons, perfluorinated hydrocarbons, and even high molecular weight guests such as proteins (e.g., human insulin). Since the discovery of the first CBn, CB6, the field has seen tremendous growth with respect to the synthesis of new homologues and derivatives, the discovery of record binding affinities of guest molecules in their hydrophobic cavity, and associated applications ranging from sensing to drug delivery. In this review, we discuss in detail the fundamental properties of CBn homologues and their cyclic derivatives with a focus on their synthesis and their applications in catalysis.

/pdf/cucurbiturils-from-synthesis-to-high-affinity-binding-and-19sxoi73hx.pdf

Cucurbiturils: from synthesis to high-affinity binding and catalysis

Supramolecular Polymers: Historical Development, Preparation, Characterization, and Functions.

The supramolecular crosslinking of polymer chains in water by specific, directional and dynamic non-covalent interactions has led to the development of novel supramolecular polymeric hydrogels. These aqueous polymeric networks constitute an interesting class of soft materials exhibiting attractive properties such as stimuli-responsiveness and self-healing arising from their dynamic behaviour and that are crucial for a wide variety of emerging applications. We present here a critical review summarising the formation of dynamic polymeric networks through specific non-covalent interactions, with a particular emphasis on those systems based on host–guest complex formation, as well as the characterisation of their physical characteristics. Aqueous supramolecular chemistry has unlocked a versatile toolbox for the design and fine-tuning of the material properties of these hydrogels (264 references).

Supramolecular polymeric hydrogels

Supramolecular Catalysis in Metal–Ligand Cluster Hosts

This review highlights the past six year advances in the blossoming field of cucurbit[n]uril chemistry. Because of their exceptional recognition properties in aqueous medium, these pumpkin-shaped macrocycles have been generating some tremendous interest in the supramolecular community. They have also become key units in various self-organizing and stimulus-controlled assemblies, as well as in advanced materials and drug carriers. The scope of this review is limited to the main family of cucurbit[n]urils (n = 5, 6, 7, 8, 10). The reader will find an overview of their preparation, their physicochemical and biological properties, as well as their recognition abilities towards various organic and inorganic guests. Detailed thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, as well as multiple applications including supramolecular catalysis are also discussed.

Cucurbituril chemistry: a tale of supramolecular success

Cucurbituril Chemistry: A Tale of Supramolecular Success

We report N,N-di(2-picolyl)hydrazone (DPH) ligands that are capable of binding metal ions in two isomeric forms depending on the nature of the hydrazone substituent. When the hydrazone substituent is not coordinating, the metal ion prefers the N,N-di(2-picolyl)amino (DPA) site, which is a known tridentate ligand that anchors on the sp3-hybridized amino nitrogen. When the hydrazone substituent is coordinating, the metal ion instead anchors on the sp2-hybridized imino nitrogen to afford a different structural isomer. Zinc(II) is used as a representative transition metal ion for characterizing the coordination chemistry of DPH in both solution and solid states.

Lawrence Kyeremeh‐Mensah

Papers

Cucurbituril chemistry: a tale of supramolecular success

Cucurbituril Chemistry: A Tale of Supramolecular Success

Zinc(II) Complexes of N,N-Di(2-picolyl)hydrazones