The cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) host forms rotaxane-type complexes with dumbbell-shaped, cationic guests bis(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (1(2+)) and bis(3,5-diethoxybenzyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (2(2+)). The kinetics of complex formation is slower with the latter guest because of its bulkier end groups. Rotaxane formation was found to be thermodynamically more favorable and kinetically faster in D2O than in DMSO-d6 solution, which highlights the importance of hydrophobic interactions in the assembly of cucurbituril complexes.

On the basis of the highly stable G2H (2 : 1) ternary complex formed by two methyl viologen cation radicals inside the cavity of cucurbit[8]uril, we prepared three monocationic 4‐phenylpyridinium derivatives: 1‐(hydroxyethyl)‐4‐phenyl‐pyridinium (1+) bromide, 1‐(octaethyleneglycol)‐4‐phenyl‐pyridinium (2+) chloride, and 4‐[4‐(methoxymethoxy)phenyl]pyridinium (3+) iodide, as possible guests for 2 : 1 complexation inside cucurbit[8]uril. We also investigated a fourth monocationic guest (4+), in which a central vinylidene group is inserted to elongate the 4‐phenyl‐pyridinium residue. Using 1H NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopic data and mass spectrometric data, we obtained unequivocal evidence for the formation of G2H (2 : 1) ternary complexes in all cases. The stoichiometry of the complexes was further verified by continuous variation (Job) plots, and in some cases, high resolution ESI‐MS spectrometric data. Diffusion coefficient measurements, using 1H NMR pulse gradient spin echo techniques, yielded values consistent with the formation and expected structures of the ternary complexes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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