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Published on: November 21, 2013
Guest-Induced Folding and Self-Assembly of Conformationally Adaptive Macrocycles into Nanosheets and Nanotubes
Liu-Pan Yang1,2, Fei Jia1, Qing-Hai Zhou1
1Department of Chemistry, South University of Science and Technology of China, Xueyuan Blvd 1088, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China.
Abstract:
A conformationally adaptive macrocycle is presented, namely zorb[4]arene, which exists in multiple conformations in the uncomplexed state. The binding cavity of zorb[4]arene is concealed, either due to a collapsed conformation or by self-inclusion. The zorb[4]arene with long alkyl chains manifests itself with surprisingly low melting point and thus exist as an oil at room temperature. Binding of a guest molecule induces the folding and conformational rigidity of zorb[4]arene and leads to well-defined three-dimensional structures, which can further self-assemble into nanosheets or nanotubes upon solvent evaporation, depending on guest molecules and the conformations they can induce.
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