Assembly of Supramolecular Nanotubes from Molecular Triangles and 1,2-Dihalohydrocarbons

作者：Liu Zhichang; Liu Guoliang; Wu Yilei; Cao Dennis; Sun Junling; Schneebeli Severin T; Nassar Majed S; Mirkin Chad A; Stoddart J Fraser^*

来源：Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2014, 136(47): 16651-16660.

DOI：10.1021/ja509480u

Precise control of molecular assembly is a challenging goal facing supramolecular chemists. Herein, we report the highly specific assembly of a range of supramolecular nanotubes from the enantiomeric triangular naphthalenediimide-based macrocycles (RRRRRR)- and (SSSSSS)-NDI-Delta and a class of similar solvents, namely, the 1,2-dihalo-ethanes and -ethenes (DXEs). Three kinds of supramolecular nanotubes are formed from the columnar stacking of NDI-Delta units with a 60 degrees mutual rotation angle as a result of cooperative [CH center dot center dot center dot O] interactions, directing interactions of the [X center dot center dot center dot X]-bonded DXE chains inside the nanotubes and lateral [X center dot center dot center dot pi] or [pi center dot center dot center dot pi] interactions. They include (i) semiflexible infinite nanotubes formed in the gel state from NDI-Delta and (E)-1,2-dichloroethene, (ii) rigid infinite nonhelical nanotubes produced in the solid state from NDI-Delta and BrCH2CH2Br, ClCH2CH2Br, and ClCH2CH2I, and (iii) a pair of rigid tetrameric, enantiomeric single-handed (P)- and (M)-helical nanotubes formed in the solid state from the corresponding (RRRRRR)- and (SSSSSS)-NDI-Delta with ClCH2CH2Cl. In case (i), only the electron-rich C=C double bond of (E)-1,2-dichloroethene facilitates the gelation of NDI-Delta. In cases (ii) and (iii), the lengths of anti-DXEs determine the translation of the chirality of NDI-Delta into the helicity of nanotubes. Only ClCH2CH2Cl induces single-handed helicity into the nanotubes. The subtle interplay of noncovalent bonding interactions, resulting from the tiny structural variations involving the DXE guests, is responsible for the diverse and highly specific assembly of NDI-Delta. This research highlights the critical role that guests play in constructing assembled superstructures of hosts and offers a novel approach to creating supramolecular nanotubes.

• 出版日期2014-11-26
• 单位西北大学