Cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]) are macrocyclic molecules made of glycoluril monomers linked by methylene bridges, where n is the number of glycoluril units. CB[n] are excellent host molecules as they form stable yet dynamic complexes with guest compounds in aqueous media with extremely high affinity. The larger homologue CB[8] is capable of simultaneously accommodating two guests to form either 1:1:1 heteroternary or 2:1 homoternary complexes with association constants up to 1015 M−2 through multiple non-covalent interactions.[1] Our group has exploited CB[8]’s unique host-guest binding properties as a linking motif to prepare supramolecular polymers, micelles, hydrogels, microcapsules, hierarchical structured colloids and colloid/polymer hybrid materials.[1-5] The interactions of CB[n] with gold colloids has also been an area of interest within the group. The use of CB[n] as a molecular ruler to control the aggregation of Au NPs and subsequently bind and detect analyte molecules at room temperature within their cavity is a major area of research in the group.6 Simple, robust CB[7]-AuNP constructs have shown the ability to detect neurotransmitters through the formation of 1:1 complexes using SERS. Moreover, this system is capable of performing quantitative multiplexing in biological media such as urine.7 In this lecture I will highlight recent advances we have made in controlling dynamic functional materials and sensors based on CB-mediated host-guest interactions.

Control of functional materials and supramolecular network dynamics at both the molecular and colloidal length scales

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.