A cylinder-shaped macrocycle formed via Friedel-Crafts reaction

Sulfonic Acid-Functionalized Tetraphenylethylene-Amplified Electrochemiluminescence by Regulating π-π Interaction

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) effectiveness of the tris(bipyridine) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) system is hampered by aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) in optoelectronic systems as a result of π-π accumulation of the aromatic ring structure. In this work, a negatively charged tetraphenylvinyl molecule (TPE-2SO3Na, TPE-4SO3Na) was synthesized to modify the electrode interface, and the π-π accumulation between Ru(bpy)32+ molecules was transformed into the π-π interaction between Ru(bpy)32+ and TPE molecules. Interestingly, the ECL signal intensity of the Ru(bpy)32+-tripropylamine (TPA) system in the presence of TPE-2SO3Na was increased by about 15 times due to the π-π action and electrostatic action. In comparison with traditional physical packaging with porous zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), the fabricated electrode interface modification strategy was simple and efficient to avoid π-π accumulation in aqueous solutions. Our success will inspire other researchers to investigate the supramolecular interaction (π-π interaction, electrostatic interaction, hydrophilic interaction, and host-guest interaction) at the electrode interface to amplify the ECL intensities of Ru(bpy)32+.

Cagearenes: synthesis, characterization, and application for programmed vapor release

Here, we announce the establishment of a new family of organic molecular cages, named cagearenes, by taking advantage of a versatile strategy. These cagearenes were prepared via the Friedel–Crafts reaction by condensing two equivalents of a precursor bearing three 1,4-dimethoxybenzene groups and three equivalents of formaldehyde. Two cages, namely cagearene-1 and cagearene-2, are obtained and well characterized. The cagearene-1 solid exhibits the ability to adsorb benzene vapour from an equimolar benzene/cyclohexane mixture with a purity of 91.1%. Then, the adsorbed benzene molecules can be released from the cage at a relatively lower temperature, namely 70 °C, as a consequence of which, cyclohexane with a high purity was left within the cage solid. Heating the cage solid further at 130 °C led to the production of cyclohexane with a purity up to 98.7%. As inferred from the single crystal structures and theoretical calculations, the ability of the cage in programmed release of benzene and cyclohexane results from the different binding modes of these two guests.

Two organic cages, cagearene-1 and cagearene-2, are prepared. The cagearene-1 solid selectively absorbs benzene vapor from a benzene/cyclohexane mixture and is used to achieve temperature-controlled programmed vapor release.