Container molecules feature well-defined nanopores and can be utilized to explore a wide range of applications including storage, separation, and transportation of small molecules. We have recently developed a new family of container molecules, namely, metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs). These MOSCs are assembled from sulfonylcalix[4]arene container precursors, metal ions, and carboxylate linkers. They feature a well-defined dual-pore architecture, containing both endo and exo cavities. Herein, we demonstrate the guest binding behavior of prototypical MOSCs in both solution and solid state. Various guests, such as small gases and organic dyes, have been screened to illustrate the host-guest chemistry of MOSCs. Preliminary results show that different para-substitutions of sulfonylcalix[4]arene units significantly affect the solid-state porosity of the MOSCs, whereas such variations have a much smaller influence on their solution binding behavior. These findings provide important guidelines for designing functional applications in synthetic container systems.

Probing guest-binding capability of metal-organic supercontainers

247th National Meeting (2014)

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