Acetate anion-selective encapsulation in the ellipsoidal cavity of symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril

Abstract

Four symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril-based compounds have been prepared and characterised by X-ray crystallography. Their crystal structures displayed the acetate anion-selective encapsulating capability of symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril. The host–guest interaction between the symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril and the acetate anion in aqueous solution has also been observed by variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Keywords:

• symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril
• anion encapsulation
• X-ray crystallography
• variable temperature ¹H NMR

Acknowledgements

We thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.: 20971002) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No.: 20100481109) for financial support.