Oligomeric Cucurbituril Complexes: from Peculiar Assemblies to Emerging Applications

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 59; no. 48; pp. 21280 - 21292
• Main Authors: Yang, Xue, Wang, Ruibing, Kermagoret, Anthony, Bardelang, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 23.11.2020
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: cucurbituril; host–guest; Macrocyclic Compounds - chemical synthesis; Macrocyclic Compounds - chemistry; Molecular Structure; n:n complexes; Oligomers; Polymers; Proteins; supramolecular chemistry; Supramolecular polymers; n:n complexes; cucurbituril; host-guest; supramolecular chemistry; oligomers
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202004622

Proteins are an endless source of inspiration. By carefully tuning the amino‐acid sequence of proteins, nature made them evolve from primary to quaternary structures, a property specific to protein oligomers and often crucial to accomplish their function. On the other hand, the synthetic macrocycles cucurbiturils (CBs) have shown outstanding recognition properties in water, and a growing number of (host)n:(guest)n supramolecular polymers involving CBs have been reported. However, the burgeoning field of discrete (n:n) host:guest oligomers has just started to attract attention. While 2:2 complexes are the major oligomers, 3:3 and up to 6:6 oligomers have been described, some associated with emerging applications, specific to the (n:n) arrangements. Design rules to target (n:n) host:guest oligomers are proposed toward new advanced host:guest systems. Cucurbit[8]uril can stabilize discrete host:guest n:n oligomers of controlled size and shape in water with properties specific to the oligomers. We collected more than 50 examples and identified several factors explaining the formation of linear or cyclic oligomers and provide some rational to design new assemblies and target advanced properties.