A 2:1 Receptor/C₆₀ Complex as a Nanosized Universal Joint

Abstract

Buckycatcher II, a C51 H24 hydrocarbon with two corannulene pincers on a dibenzonorbornadiene tether, exhibits an affinity toward C60 in organic solvents that is dramatically higher than the original buckycatcher C60 H28 and other corannulene-based molecular receptors for fullerenes. In addition to the formation of an usual 1:1 C60 @catcher inclusion complex, a trimeric C60 @(catcher)2 assembly is detected in solutions and in the solid state. X-ray structure determination reveals a remarkable "universal joint" solvent-free crystal arrangement of the trimer, with a single fullerene cage wrapped by four corannulene subunits of two cooperating catcher receptors.

On the estimation of the strength of supramolecular complexes of fullerenes

“…It took only a few years to fullerene receptors to enter to stage after the large scale synthesis of fullerene . Among the various receptors prepared, buckycatchers I/II and Aida's dimeric porphyrins are among the ones which have attracted more attention. In particular, buckycatcher I has become a popular benchmark to develop new density functionals .…”

Programmed Hierarchical Hybrid Nanostructures from Fullerene‐Dendrons and Pyrene‐Dendrons

“…Additionally, tetrathiafulvalene calix[4]pyrroles‐based receptors for C 60 have been significantly studied by Sessler group . Although a large number of C 60 receptors have been reported to be applied to host–guest systems, studies to control the hierarchical nanostructures of C 60 resulting in the target properties are very limited …”

Cocrystallization of Imide‐Fused Corannulene Derivatives and C60: Guest‐Induced Conformational Switching and 1:1 Segregated Packing

“…Their interactions in the solid state were also confirmed by single‐crystal data, and strong concave–convex π–π interactions have been observed . To improve their interaction further, several elegant strategies have been developed, including periphery modification of corannulene with electron‐rich groups, the incorporation of multi‐corannulene pincers into one molecule,, and extension of the curved π surface . Recently, Shinokubo et al.…”