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Updated: Sep 8, 2025
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Published on: July 2, 2012
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Synthesis of a highly strained deep cavitand.
M Saeed Mirzaei1, Saber Mirzaei1,2, Hormoz Khosravi1
1Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA. raulhs@rice.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|August 19, 2025
Summary
Researchers synthesized a stable, highly strained deep cavitand molecule. This molecule features a large cavity suitable for hosting fullerenes, addressing a key challenge in strained molecule synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
- Materials Science
Background:
- Accessing highly strained molecules presents significant synthetic challenges.
- Developing novel molecular architectures with unique properties is crucial for advancing chemical science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the synthesis of a novel, bench-stable, and highly strained deep cavitand.
- To characterize the structural features and potential applications of the synthesized cavitand.
Main Methods:
- A two-step synthetic protocol was employed using known starting materials.
- Spectroscopic and crystallographic methods were used for characterization (details not provided in abstract).
Main Results:
- A highly strained deep cavitand (molecule 1) with a strain energy of approximately 135 kcal mol⁻¹ was successfully synthesized.
- The rigid structure of cavitand 1, composed of four arch-shaped biphenyelenes, creates a large internal cavity (approximately 500 ų).
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol provides efficient access to a unique, highly strained deep cavitand.
- The large cavity of cavitand 1 makes it a promising host molecule for fullerenes and potentially other guests.
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