Maximizing Coordination Capsule–Guest Polar Interactions in Apolar Solvents Reveals Significant Binding

摘要: Guest encapsulation underpins the functional properties of self-assembled capsules yet identifying systems capable strongly binding small organic molecules in solution remains a challenge. Most coordination rely on hydrophobic effect to ensure effective solution-phase association. In contrast, we show that using non-interacting anions apolar solvents can maximize favorable interactions between cationic Pd2L4 host and charge-neutral guests resulting dramatic increase strength. With quinone-type guests, association constants excess 108 m−1 were observed, comparable highest previously recorded constant for metallosupramolecular capsule. Modulation optoelectronic was also with either changing or switching-on luminescence not present bulk phase.