Arene-based Host Guest Research Articles

A redox-responsive supramolecular amphiphile fabricated by selenium-containing pillar[5]arene-based host–guest recognition

A novel redox-responsive molecular recognition motif was built between a neutral selenium-containing pillar[5]arene and a pyridinium bromide salt in water. It was further used to construct the first pillararene-based selenium-containing supramolecular amphiphile with application in controlled release.

Temperature-Responsive Switch Constructed from an Anthracene-Functionalized Pillar[5]arene-Based Host-Guest System.

A monofunctionalized anthracene pillar[5]arene (MAP5) was designed and synthesized by a click reaction. MAP5 was bound to an ionic liquid through host-guest interactions to modify a gold interface. The bonding and release of MAP5 was readily and reversibly controlled by temperature regulation. The developed temperature-responsive switch at an interface can be used in memory storage, drug delivery, and sensing.

Supramolecular main-chain polycatenanes formed by orthogonal metal ion coordination and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interaction

A novel supramolecular main-chain polycatenane was constructed by coordination-driven self-assembly, host–guest interaction and supramolecular polymerization.

A diols-responsive triple-component supra-amphiphile constructed from pillar[5]arene-based recognition

A triple-component supra-amphiphile is constructed from dynamic covalent chemistry and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest recognition. The diol-responsive self-assembly of this ternary supra-amphiphile is investigated in aqueous solution.

The macroscopic wettable surface: fabricated by calix[4]arene-based host-guest interaction and chiral discrimination of glucose.

Herein, we reported a new strategy based on self-assembly chemistry for chiral discrimination of glucose on a new S-mandelic acid-appended calix[4]arene (S-MC4) modified nanostructure, which exhibits macroscopic chiral preference for d-glucose via contact angle measurements (CA). The proposed macroscopic chiral device displays rapidly remarkable specificity and is convenient to use, which should be suitable for diagnostic purposes, nanomedical applications, etc.

Pillar[7]arene-based host–guest complex in water: dual-responsiveness and application in controllable self-assembly

A dual-responsive supra-amphiphile was constructed based on a water-soluble pillar[7]arene and a pyrene-containing guest. The self-assembly morphology of this supra-amphiphile could be adjusted by changing pH or irradiation by UV light.

Pillar[10]arene-based host–guest complexation promoted self-assembly: from nanoparticles to uniform giant vesicles

A novel host-guest recognition motif between a water-soluble pillar[10]arene and pyrene derivative was established and further applied in the fabrication of a pH-responsive supra-amphiphile.

Orthogonal Approach to Construct Cell-Like Vesicles via Pillar[5]arene-Based Amphiphilic Supramolecular Polymers

A reduction-responsive supramolecular diblock copolymer was successfully constructed by the orthogonal assembly of two homopolymers in aqueous solution via pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interactions for the first time. The homopolymers, namely, polystyrene modified with ethyl viologen as the terminal group (PS-EV) and polyethylene glycol bearing pillar[5]arene (PEG-P[5]A), were synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and coupling reaction, respectively. The supramolecular diblock copolymer can self-assemble into stable binary cell-like vesicles in aqueous solution, where a spherical micelle as the cell nucleus was embedded in a clear outer vesicle as the cell membrane. The cell-like vesicles can be disassembled into spherical aggregates through addition of reducing agent and further used for encapsulation and controlled release of model molecules.

Hydrophobic interactions in the pillar[5]arene-based host–guest complexation and their application in the inhibition of acetylcholine hydrolysis

The host–guest complexations between a water-soluble pillar[5]arenes (WP5) and choline derivatives with different alkyl chain lengths were investigated. The hydrophobic interactions played a significant role in these pillar[5]arene-based host–guest complexations. By taking advantage of hydrophobic interactions, the cavity of WP5 could be further employed to inhibit the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the presence of acetylcholinesterase.

Reversible formation of supramolecular polymer networks via orthogonal pillar[10]arene-based host-guest interactions and metal ion coordinations.

Supramolecular polymer networks, assembled via the combination of orthogonal terpyridine-Zn(2+), carbene-Ag(+), and pillar[10]arene/alkyl chain recognition motifs, exhibit dynamic properties responsive to various external stimuli.

A novel supramolecular polymer gel constructed by crosslinking pillar[5]arene-based supramolecular polymers through metal–ligand interactions

A novel heteroditopic A-B monomer was synthesized and used to construct linear supramolecular polymers utilizing pillar[5]arene-based host-guest interactions. Specifically, upon addition of Cu(2+) ions, the supramolecular polymer chains are crosslinked through metal-ligand interactions, resulting in the formation of a supramolecular polymer gel. Interestingly, this self-organized supramolecular polymer can be used as a novel fluorescent sensor for detecting Cu(2+) ions.

A water-soluble supramolecular polymer constructed by pillar[5]arene-based molecular recognition.

A water-soluble linear supramolecular polymer was efficiently constructed driven by pillar[5]arene-based host-guest molecular recognition.

A novel pH-responsive supramolecular polymer constructed by pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interactions

A novel pH-responsive supramolecular polymer based on the pillar[5]arene/imidazolium cation recognition motif was successfully prepared. It was demonstrated that the binding strength between the monomer molecules in solution could be reduced by adding base, thereby leading to a decrease in the polymerization degree, while a reverse switch could be achieved by the addition of acid to change the monomer back to the cationic state. These processes were confirmed by 1H NMR, DOSY experiments, viscosity measurements and theoretical calculations. Moreover, a rod-like fiber was drawn from a high concentration solution of the monomer and characterized by SEM, providing direct evidence of the formation of a supramolecular polymer with high molecular weight and high degree of the linear chain extension. In this study, a reversible transition between the high-molecular-weight supramolecular polymer and the relatively low-molecular-weight one, that is, a control of the polymerization degree, was realized by simply altering the solution pH. These results are helpful for the future fabrication of adaptive and smart supramolecular materials with stimuli-responsiveness and special functions.