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Understanding how subtle structural differences between macrocyclic conformational isomers impact their properties and separation has garnered increasing attention in the field of supramolecular synthetic chemistry. In this work, a series of tetraphenylene (TPE)-embedded butterfly bis-crown ether macrocycles (BCE[n], n = 4–7), comprising two crown ether side rings and a TPE core, are synthesized through intramolecular McMurry coupling. Unexpectedly, the presence of flexible oligoethylene chains with varying lengths are found to influence molecular conformation via multiple intramolecular interactions, resulting in the formation of two stabilized conformers with specific semi-rigid symmetric/asymmetric structures (sym-BCE[n] and asym-BCE[n], n = 5, 6). Moreover, it is noteworthy that neither symmetric nor asymmetric conformers are present in the more rigid BCE[4] or the more flexible BCE[7]. Interestingly, these conformers display distinct fluorescence properties and host-guest binding abilities, and only sym-BCE[5] can serve as a host for chiral polymer binding, resulting in the formation of chiral supramolecular assemblies through host-guest interaction induced chirality. Moreover, both circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence signals of the obtained assemblies can be switched off by the addition of sodium ion, suggesting potential applications in the field of dynamic chiral materials. Understanding how structural differences impact the properties of macrocyclic conformational isomers has garnered attention in the field of supramolecular chemistry. Here, the authors synthesize tetraphenylene-embedded butterfly bis-crown ether macrocycles with conformers that display distinct fluorescence properties and host-guest binding abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel artificial light-harvesting system, featuring sequential energy transfer processes, has been successfully constructed, which demonstrated white light emission through a precise adjustment of the donor–acceptor ratio. To better mimic natural photosynthesis, the system is employed as a nanoreactor for the photocatalysis of a cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction in aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformation of [15]paracyclophanes ([15]PCP) into fluorophores has been achieved by embedding tetraphenylethene (TPE) units into their skeletons at the meso-positions. The obtained two hosts demonstrated distinct aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties and their fluorescence could be selectively quenched by Ni2+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The many useful features possessed by pillararenes (PAs; e.g. rigid, capacious, and hydrophobic cavities, as well as exposed functional groups) have led to a tremendous increase in their popularity since their first discovery in 2008. In this Minireview, we emphasize the use of functionalized PAs and their assembled supramolecular materials in the field of catalysis. We aim to provide a fundamental understanding and mechanism of the role PAs play in catalytic process. The topics are subdivided into catalysis promoted by the PA rim/cavity, PA‐based nanomaterials, and PA‐based polymeric materials. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first overview on PA‐based catalysis. This Minireview not only summarizes the fabrications and applications of PAs in catalysis but also anticipates future research efforts in applying supramolecular hosts in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here NMR and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry studies of the binding of ionisable guests (carboxylate acids) to a deep-cavity cavitand. These studies reveal that the shortest guests favoured 1:1 complex formation, but the longer the alkyl chain the more the 2:1 host-guest capsule is favoured. For intermediate-sized guests, the equilibrium between these two states is controlled by pH; at low values the capsule containing the carboxylic acid guest is favoured, whereas as the pH is raised deprotonation of the guest favours the 1:1 complex. Interestingly, for one host–guest pair the energy required to decap the 2:1 capsular complex and form the 1:1 complex is sufficient to shift the pKaof the guest by ~3–4 orders of magnitude (4.1–5.4 kcal mol−1). The two largest guests examined form stable 2:1 capsules, with in both cases the guest adopting a relatively high energy J-shaped motif. Furthermore, these 2:1 complexes are sufficiently stable that at high pH guest deprotonation occurs without decapping of the capsule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through McMurry coupling reaction, three meso-position functionalized pillar[5]arene derivatives (H-1, H-2, and H-3) have been successfully prepared by embedding aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens, diphenyldibenzofulvene (DPDBF) and tetraphenylethylene (TPE)) into the skeleton of supramolecular macrocycles. H-1, bearing [1 5 ]paracyclophane ([1 5 ]PCP) and DPDBF moiety, exhibits yellow emission and demonstrates obvious AIE effect. In order to further improve the host-guest properties of this type of structure, H-2 and H-3 are prepared by replacing the [1 5 ]PCP moiety with pillar[5]arene backbone, both of which show significant AIE effect and excellent host-guest complexation properties with pyrazine salt guest G-1 and 1,4-dicyanobutane G-2. Our findings indicate that G-1 can decrease the fluorescence intensity of the AIE macrocycles, while G-2 can increase their fluorescence intensity in solution., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Transformation of [1 5 ]paracyclophanes ([15]PCP) into fluorophores has been achieved by embedding tetraphenylethene (TPE) units into their skeletons at the meso -positions. The obtained two hosts demonstrated distinct aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties and their fluorescence could be selectively quenched by Ni 2+ ions.

Nanospaces are ubiquitous in the realm of biological systems and are of significant interest among supramolecular chemists. Understanding chemical behavior within nanospaces offers new perspectives on biological phenomena in nature and opens the way to highly unusual and selective forms of catalysis. Supramolecular chemistry exploits weak, yet effective, intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding, metal-ligand coordination, and the hydrophobic effect to assemble nano-sized molecular architectures, providing reactions with remarkable rate acceleration, substrate specificity, and product selectivity. In this minireview, the focus is on the strategies that supramolecular chemists use to emulate the efficiency of biological processes, and elucidating how chemical reactivity is efficiently controlled within well-defined nanospaces. Approaches such as orientation and proximity of substrate, transition-state stabilization, and active-site incorporation will be discussed., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)