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Maximizing Coordination Capsule–Guest Polar Interactions in Apolar Solvents Reveals Significant Binding
Author(s) -
August David P.,
Nichol Gary S.,
Lusby Paul J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201608229
Subject(s) - cationic polymerization , chemistry , capsule , luminescence , molecule , polar , chemical physics , hydrophobic effect , materials science , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , botany , physics , astronomy , biology
Guest encapsulation underpins the functional properties of self‐assembled capsules yet identifying systems capable of strongly binding small organic molecules in solution remains a challenge. Most coordination capsules rely on the hydrophobic effect to ensure effective solution‐phase association. In contrast, we show that using non‐interacting anions in apolar solvents can maximize favorable interactions between a cationic Pd 2 L 4 host and charge‐neutral guests resulting in a dramatic increase in binding strength. With quinone‐type guests, association constants in excess of 10 8 m −1 were observed, comparable to the highest previously recorded constant for a metallosupramolecular capsule. Modulation of optoelectronic properties of the guests was also observed, with encapsulation either changing or switching‐on luminescence not present in the bulk phase.