Docking rings in a solid: reversible assembling of pseudorotaxanes inside a zirconium metal–organic framework

Li, Xia; Xie, Jialin; Du, Zhenglin; Jiang, Long; Li, Guangqin; Ling, Sanliang; Zhu, Kelong

Abstract

An unprecedented zirconium metal–organic framework featuring a T-shaped benzimidazole strut was constructed and employed as a sponge-like material for selective absorption of macrocyclic guests. The neutral benzimidazole domain of the as-synthesized framework can be readily protonated and fully converted to benzimidazolium. Mechanical threading of [24]crown-8 ether wheels onto recognition sites to form pseudorotaxanes was evidenced by solution nuclear magnetic resonance, solid-state fluorescence, and infrared spectroscopy. Selective absorption of [24]crown-8 ether rather than its dibenzo counterpart was also observed. Further study reveals that this binding process is reversible and acid–base switchable. The success of docking macrocyclic guests in crystals via host–guest interactions provides an alternative route to complex functional materials with interpenetrated structures.

Citation

Li, X., Xie, J., Du, Z., Jiang, L., Li, G., Ling, S., & Zhu, K. (2022). Docking rings in a solid: reversible assembling of pseudorotaxanes inside a zirconium metal–organic framework. Chemical Science, 13(21), 6291-6296. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2sc01497a

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 26, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 2, 2022
• Publication Date: Jun 28, 2022
• Deposit Date: May 13, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 17, 2022
• Journal: Chemical Science
• Print ISSN: 2041-6520
• Electronic ISSN: 2041-6539
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 21
• Pages: 6291-6296
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d2sc01497a
• Keywords: General Chemistry
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8049724
• Publisher URL: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/SC/D2SC01497A