Three host peculiarities of a cycloalkane-based micelle toward large metal-complex guests
Mamiko Hanafusa, Yamato Tsuchida, Kyosuke Matsumoto, Kei Kondo, Michito Yoshizawa
Abstract
Abstract Linear alkanes are essential building blocks for natural and artificial assemblies in water. As compared with typical, linear alkane-based micelles and recent aromatic micelles, we herein develop a cycloalkane-based micelle, consisting of bent amphiphiles with two cyclohexyl frameworks. This uncommon type of micelle, with a spherical core diameter of ~ 2 nm, forms in water in a spontaneous and quantitative manner. The cycloalkane-based, hydrophobic cavity displays peculiar host abilities as follows: (i) highly efficient uptake of sterically demanding Zn(II)-tetraphenylporphyrin and rubrene dyes, (ii) selective uptake of substituted Cu(II)-phthalocyanines and spherical nanocarbons, and (iii) uptake-induced solution-state emission of [Au(I)-dimethylpyrazolate] 3 in water. These host functions toward the large metal-complex and other guests studied herein remain unaccomplished by previously reported micelles and supramolecular containers.