Cucurbit[ n ]uril‐Mediated Multiple Interactions

Dynamic supramolecular polymers built from cucurbit[n]urils and viologens

“…From a thermodynamic point of view, the exceptionally high affinity of CB[ n ]s for positively charged organic guests in water is attributed to a combination of factors including the desolvation of the guest, the ejection of ‘high energy’ water molecules trapped inside CB[ n ]s prior to encapsulation, and ion–dipole interactions between the carbonyl functions at the cavity portal and any positively charged parts of the guest. In most cases only one guest can be fitted within the cavity of the smallest CB[ n ] ( n = 5, 6, 7) while the larger cavity of CB[8] can potentially accommodate two or even three guests …”

“…In most cases only one guest can be fitted within the cavity of the smallest CB[n] (n = 5, 6, 7) while the larger cavity of CB [8] can potentially accommodate two or even three guests. [30][31][32][33][34][35] Most efforts in the field of supramolecular chemistry have focused on CB [8], on account of its ability to accommodate two -conjugated guests tightly interacting inside the barrel-shaped cavity in the form of cofacial charge transfer complexes. 36 The opportunities are more limited for the smallest analogs CB [5], CB [6] and CB [7], whose inner cavities only allow hosting single guests.…”