Molecular-Recognition-Directed Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Polymers

Plastic- and liquid-crystalline architectures from dendritic receptor molecules

Host molecules with U-shaped receptor cavities have been derivatized at their convex side with two n-hydrocarbon tails (1), two first-generation (2), and two second-generation (3) monodendritic hydrocarbon tails. Although hosts 1 and 2 display plastic-crystalline behavior, evidence suggests that host 3 forms a cubic liquid-crystalline phase. In this phase, molecules of 3 are arranged in spherical supramacromolecular assemblies, in which the receptor cavities are situated in the core and the hydrocarbon tails at the periphery. The 1:1 host-guest complex of 3 with methyl 3,5dihydroxybenzoate forms a similar liquid-crystalline phase, with the guest included in the core of the assemblies.