As yet, the mechanism of the formation of metal-seamed pyrogallolarene capsules (Power et al., New J. Chem., 2007 ,  31) is unknown, although a reasonable first step might involve the formation of a hydrogen-bonded precursor assembly.  Accordingly, we have investigated the dynamics of these precursors, with and without encapsulated guest species, using molecular dynamics simulations.  The empty dimeric capsules have proved to be stable in the gas phase (by more than 70 kJ/mol) but are of limited stability in solution, whereas we have found that a filled capsule stabilized by bridging solvent molecules remains intact in a cold methanol solution.  On the whole, though, our results to date do not suggest that the capsules necessarily form in solution prior to metal seaming.

Mechanism of the formation of metal-seamed pyrogallolarene capsules: Precursor dynamics with and without guests

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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