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Resorcin[4]arenes: A Convenient Scaffold to Study Supramolecular Self-Assembly and Host:Guest Interactions for the Undergraduate Curriculum
- Source :
-
Journal of Chemical Education . Apr 2019 96(4):781-785. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- In response to the call for an increased emphasis from the American Chemical Society on including macromolecular studies in the undergraduate curriculum, a supramolecular-themed experiment was designed for undergraduate-level organic laboratory courses that provides a convenient platform to study physical behaviors of supramolecular assemblies. Students synthesize an easily purified resorcin[4]arene and characterize the product of its self-assembly via [superscript 1]H NMR spectroscopy. These bowl-shaped molecules are noteworthy because of their propensity to self-assemble in organic solution in the presence of trace water or alcohol solvents. Upon self-assembly, the resulting hexamer adopts a well-defined molecular cage structure with a large internal cavity that can be used to explore host:guest chemistry. After completing the experiment, students are expected to gain a better understanding of electrophilic aromatic substitution, [superscript 1]H NMR spectroscopy, supramolecular chemistry and self-assembly, and molecular recognition.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0021-9584
- Volume :
- 96
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- Journal of Chemical Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ1212304
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Descriptive
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00722