Investigating the Interaction of Anthracene and Phenanthrene with Cucurbit[n]urils (n=6‐8): Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Studies

Abstract

The supramolecular interaction of anthracene (ANT) and phenanthrene (PHN) with cucurbit[n]uril, CB [n] (n = 6-8) has been investigated in aqueous media for the first time. The inclusion complexes were investigated and characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and 1HNMR. The stability of these complexes and the mode of inclusion in aqueous media at atomistic levels were monitored by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The results obtained from the experimental and MD studies have demonstrated the formation of stable 1 : 1 complexes between the two guests with all hosts in aqueous media. From the fluorescence study, the binding constants of PHN with CB[6], CB[7], and CB[8] were found to be 398 � 63, 544 � 128, and 655 � 162 M À 1 , respectively. Whereas, ANT-CB[n] formation constants are 213 � 37 M À 1 270 � 35 M À 1 , and 356 � 94 M À 1 for CB [6], CB[7], and CB[8], respectively. The results obtained show that the size of the cavity of the macrocycle and the polarity of the rim play an important role in the stability of the formed complex. Surprisingly, CB[6] forms an inclusion complex with ANT while it interacts by its side with PHN through dipole-dipole interaction. The larger cavity sizes of CB[7], CB[8], were found to encapsulate the two guests forming highly stable inclusion complexes.

Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, molecular docking simulation, and antitumor assays of nanometric complexes based on new thiazole Schiff base derivative

“…Studying the thermal degradation of metal compounds helps to understand how they coordinate 53,54 . Thermograms of the metal complexes under study depicting the rate of mass loss over time and temperature are apparent in Figure 3.…”

“…Studying the thermal degradation of metal compounds helps to understand how they coordinate. 53,54 Thermograms of the metal complexes under study depicting the rate of mass loss over time and temperature are apparent in Figure 3. The results include the decomposition steps, degradation products, and temperature ranges beside the calculated and found percentage of mass loss as presented in Table 4.…”