Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction
Published on: August 23, 2018
Host-guest complexes between cryptophane-C and chloromethanes revisited
Z Takacs1, M Soltesova, J Kowalewski
1Arrhenius Laboratory, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
This study reveals how cryptophane-C binds dichloromethane and chloroform. Molecular dynamics and computational analysis show that host conformation and guest movement are key to this molecular recognition process.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Molecular Recognition
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Cryptophane-C features two cyclotribenzylene caps with methoxy substituents.
- Three OCH(2)CH(2)O linkers connect the caps in an anti arrangement.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate host-guest complexes of cryptophane-C with dichloromethane and chloroform.
- Elucidate the dynamic processes governing molecular recognition in these systems.
Main Methods:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (variable temperature, exchange spectroscopy, relaxation experiments).
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.
- Line-shape analysis.
Main Results:
- Observed dynamic processes including guest exchange and host conformational transitions.
- Identified gauche+2 and gauche-2 conformations of the linkers via cross-relaxation.
- Characterized chloroform guest mobility within the cryptophane-C cavity.
Conclusions:
- Detailed molecular recognition mechanism elucidated through combined experimental and computational data.
- Conformational selection is the primary mode of interaction between cryptophane-C and its guests.
Related Concept Videos
Halogenation of Alkenes
Consider the bromination of cyclopentene. Molecular bromine is polarized in the proximity of the π electrons of cyclopentene. An electrophilic bromine atom adds across the double bond, forming a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate.
Stability of Substituted Cyclohexanes
The two chair conformations of cyclohexanes undergo rapid interconversion at room temperature. Both forms have identical energies and stabilities, each comprising equal amounts of the equilibrium mixture. Replacing a hydrogen atom with a functional group makes the two conformations energetically non-equivalent.
For example, in...
Formation of Halohydrin from Alkenes
Multiple Halogenation of Methyl Ketones: Haloform Reaction
Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions
In 1896, the German chemist Paul Walden discovered that he could interconvert pure enantiomeric (+) and (-) malic acids through a series of reactions. This conversion suggested the involvement of optical inversion during the substitution reaction. Further, in 1930, Sir Christopher Ingold described for the first time two different forms of nucleophilic substitution reactions, which are known as SN1 (nucleophilic substitution unimolecular) and SN2 (nucleophilic substitution...
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

