Stepwise control of host–guest interaction using a coordination polymer gel

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 1987 - 9
• Main Authors: Mukhopadhyay, Rahul Dev, Das, Gourab, Ajayaghosh, Ayyappanpillai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 18.05.2018; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 147/143; 639/638/541/966; 639/925/357/341; Acids; Biological activity; Coordination polymers; Cyclodextrin; Cyclodextrins; Drug delivery systems; Equilibrium; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hydrogels; Ligands; Molecular chains; multidisciplinary; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Polymers; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Spectrum analysis; Temperature effects; Thermodynamic equilibrium
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04303-8

Precise control of host–guest interaction as seen in biological processes is difficult to achieve with artificial systems. Herein we have exploited the thermodynamic benefits of a system in equilibrium to achieve controlled stepwise release and capture of cyclodextrin (guest) using a coordination polymer (Mg-CP) as the host and temperature as the stimulus. Since temperature is not a precision stimulus for artificial host–guest interaction, the present system is a distinct prototype that manifests temperature-controlled natural host–guest interaction. The described coordination polymeric host system, when incorporated into a hydrogel matrix, provides a microenvironment that facilitates the stepwise release of α -CD in response to temperature variation within a quasi-solid state. The work demonstrated here may pave the way towards thermally controlled delivery and monitoring of otherwise spectroscopically silent molecules such as cyclodextrins. Achieving precise control of host–guest interactions in artificial systems is difficult. Here the authors use the thermodynamics of a system in equilibrium to control stepwise release and capture of cyclodextrin (guest) using a coordination polymer as the host and temperature as the stimulus.