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TMeQ[6]-based supramolecular frameworks assembled through outer surface interactions and their potential applications

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Abstract

Cucurbit[n]uril(Q[n])-based supramolecular frameworks assembled through outer surface interactions are characterized by their simple composition, convenient preparation, high yields and controllable structures. The most prominent characteristic of these frameworks is their diversity, with various synthesis methods, structural characteristics, structure directing agents and basic building blocks of Q[n]s. In this work, a symmetric tetramethyl-substituted Q[6] (TMeQ[6]) is selected as the basic building block, with three different TMeQ[6]-based supramolecular frameworks obtained from 1-, 3- and 5 mol/L aqueous H2SO4 solutions, respectively. The outer surface interactions between TMeQ[6] and the adjacent SO42− anions or TMeQ[6] units are the main driving forces for the formation of these frameworks, which exhibit adsorption properties for fluorophore dyes and organic isomers. These adsorption characteristics may lead to the application of these frameworks in the synthesis of solid fluorescent sensors for volatile organic compounds and the adsorptive separation of alkane isomers.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51663005, 21761007, 21871064), Science and Technology Plan Project of Guizhou Province (Nos. 20175788 and 20185781) and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20160943).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People’s Republic of China

    Rui Xue Cheng, Fei Yang Tian, Yun Qian Zhang, Qian Jiang Zhu & Zhu Tao

  2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, People’s Republic of China

    Kai Chen

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  1. Rui Xue Cheng
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Correspondence to Kai Chen or Zhu Tao.

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Cheng, R.X., Tian, F.Y., Zhang, Y.Q. et al. TMeQ[6]-based supramolecular frameworks assembled through outer surface interactions and their potential applications. J Mater Sci 55, 16497–16509 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05180-7

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