Internal Dynamics and Modular Peripheral Binding in Stimuli‐Responsive 3 : 2 Host:Guest Complexes
Hang Yin, Roselyne Rosas, Stéphane Viel, Michel Giorgi, Valérie Monnier, Laurence Charles, Didier Siri, Didier Gigmès, Youssef Nassar, Floris Chevallier, Christophe Bucher, Ruibing Wang, Anthony Kermagoret, David Bardelang
Abstract
Now that the chemistry of 1 : 1 host:guest complexes is well-established, it is surprising to note that higher stoichiometry (oligomeric) complexes, especially those with excess host, remain largely unexplored. Yet, proteins tend to oligomerize, affording new functions for cell machinery. Here, we show that cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) macrocycles combined with symmetric, linear di-viologens form unusual 3 : 2 host:guest complexes exhibiting remarkable dynamic properties, host self-sorting, and external ring-translocation. These results highlight the structural tunability of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) based 3 : 2 host:guest complexes in water and their responsiveness toward several stimuli (chemicals, pH, redox).