Chiral Spaces: Dissymmetric Capsules Through Self-Assembly
José M. Rivera,
Tomás Martín,
Julius Rebek Jr.
*
Molecules with self-complementary surfaces interact through weak
intermolecular forces to form assemblies, and the assembled states
frequently exhibit distinctive properties. Described here are systems
in which symmetrical molecules assemble through hydrogen bonding to
produce capsules with dissymmetric cavities. The capsules form and
dissipate on a time scale that permits their direct observation by
nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, and they act as hosts for
smaller molecular guests. Molecular recognition of chiral guests, such
as naturally occurring terpenes, determines which dissymmetric cavities
are preferentially formed in the assembly process.
J. M. Rivera, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA, and Skaggs Institute
for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
T. Martín and J. Rebek Jr., Skaggs Institute for Chemical
Biology and Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La
Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed.
