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Updated: Dec 2, 2025

Synthesis of a Water-soluble Metal–Organic Complex Array
Published on: October 8, 2016
Calix[4]arene-Based Triple-Stranded Metallohelicate in Water
Masayuki Morie1, Ryo Sekiya1, Takeharu Haino1
1Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, HigashiHiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan.
This study details a triple-stranded metallohelicate capable of encapsulating cationic guests in water. The complex demonstrates selective binding and conformational changes upon guest inclusion, showcasing potential in molecular recognition.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Calix[4]arenes are versatile macrocyclic hosts.
- Metallohelicates offer unique structural and binding properties.
- Hydrophilic modifications enable aqueous applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel triple-stranded metallohelicate.
- To investigate the host-guest complexation behavior in water.
- To explore the influence of guests on helicate structure and binding.
Main Methods:
- Self-assembly of 5,17-difunctionalized calix[4]arenes and metal cations.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and UV-visible (UV-vis) titration.
- Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular mechanics calculations.
Main Results:
- The metallohelicate successfully encapsulates cationic guests, including pyridinium derivatives and DABCO.
- Host-guest complexation exhibits a 1:1 stoichiometry for the pyridinium guest.
- CD spectroscopy reveals guest-induced bias in helical sense and positive allosteric effects for multiple guests.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized metallohelicate functions effectively in aqueous media for cationic guest binding.
- Guest molecules influence the helicate's conformation, facilitating sequential binding.
- This work highlights the potential of metallohelicates in designing sophisticated molecular recognition systems.
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