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To explore differences in coordination between alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal ions and cucurbit[n]urils, a water-soluble α,α',δ,δ'-tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) was used to synthesize a series of complexes and their supramolecular assemblies, based on the coordination of TMeQ[6] with alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal ions. The complexes and corresponding supramolecular assemblies were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Unlike cucurbituril (Q[6]), which formed the metal-Q[6] polymers based on the direct coordination of carbonyl oxygen atoms to the alkali-metal ions, TMeQ[6] formed metal-TMeQ[6] polymers based on the direct coordination of carbonyl oxygen atoms with the alkaline-earth-metal ions rather than the alkali-metal ions.

Using the achiral N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine ligand bearing two end pyridyl groups as the source of conformational chirality, a novel type of TMeQ[6]-based helical polyrotaxane was prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The chirality of the polyrotaxane was generated from twisting of the hexylidene of the N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine "string" when bound within the hydrophobic cavity of TMeQ[6]. Two opposite chiral helical polyrotaxanes crystallize as a racemic compound.

Q[8]-based porous materials were synthesized in the presence of [Md-blockCl4](2-) anions as structure inducers. The driving forces of the structure-directing effect of the [Md-blockCl4](2-) anions may be due to the ion-dipole interaction and hydrogen bonding between the [Md-blockCl4](2-) anions and ≡CH or ═CH2 groups on the backs of Q[8] molecules. Moreover, the tests of potential applications show that these porous materials can not only capture organic molecules through the cavity of Q[8] moieties but also adsorb larger organic molecules with different selectivities.

There is intensive interest in the design of tubular channels because of their novel structures and various applications in a variety of research fields. Herein, we present a series of coordination-driven Q[7]-derived organic nanochannels using an anion-induced strategy under different acid concentrations. An advantage of this approach is that the tubular channels not only retain the original character of the parent macrocyclic receptors but also provide deep hydrophobic cavities possessing guest binding sites. Importantly, this study also emphasizes the efficiency of the macrocyclic receptors in providing a tubular hydrophobic cavity by directly stacking on top of one another with the anion-fixed and by acid control. The resulting combination of hydrogen bonding, C–H···Cl, and ion-dipole interactions helps to stabilize these supramolecular architectures. Such systems are both tunable and versatile and allow for interconvertibility in the construction of nanochannels based on these macrocyclic receptors.

In the present study, we introduce the coordination of samarium–Q[5] systems in the absence and presence of the third species, and the corresponding supramolecular assemblies are dependent upon the addition of the third species. In the absence of the third species, a samarium cation (nitrate salt) coordinates to a Q[5] molecule and forms a molecular bowl; in the presence of an organic molecule (hydroquinone), a one-dimensional polymer of ···Sm–Q[5]–Sm–Q[5]–Sm··· is formed through direct coordination of Sm cation to the portal carbonyl oxygens. In the presence of nickel cations (chloride salt), an infinite 1D supramolecular chain is constructed of samarium/cucurbit[5]uril molecular bowl through ion–dipole interaction and hydrogen binding; in addition, the stacking of the supramolecular chains forms a novel hexagonal open framework. Remarkably, in the presence of copper cations (chloride salt), Q[5]-based hexagonal netting sheets are constructed of 6-Q[5]-ring structures.