Involvement of unusual noncovalent interactions in the self-assembly of cucurbit[6]uril with [CdCl4]2− anions

The [CdCl4]2− anion as a structure inducer has proved to be useful in the construction of cucurbit[n]uril-metal coordination architectures and materials. In order to better understand the role and influence of the structure inducer in Q[n] systems, we report herein the self-assembly of Q[6] solely in the presence of [CdCl4]2− anions and in the presence of both a linear cationic organic guest and [CdCl4]2− anions. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1D Q[6] porous channels were formed by the noncovalent interactions between Q[6] and [CdCl4]2− anions, but the “honeycomb effect” was not observed in the present study. However, it seems that the “honeycomb effect” and the self-assembly of Q[6] with [CdCl4]2− anions can be significantly modified and switched in the presence of a linear cationic dibutylamine guest through some unusual noncovalent interactions.

Graphical abstractX-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the self-assembly of Q[6] with [CdCl4]2− anions can be significantly modified and switched in the presence of a linear cationic dibutylamine guest through some unusual noncovalent interactions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide