Rhenium-based molecular rectangular boxes with large inner cavity and high shape selectivity towards benzene molecule

摘要

The self-assembly of rhenium-based rectangular boxes with a large inner cavity can be achieved via a simple one-step synthetic route; these molecules selectively recognize planar aromatic molecules, benzene in particular. Supramolecular metallacyclic hosts with inner cavities for guest inclusion have received considerable attention not only due to their aesthetic appeal, but also for their potential applications for selective recognition, to serve as model compounds that mimic biological systems, and to catalyze specific chemical transformations. Among the reported metalla-cycles, the lower symmetry of a rectangle should lead to greater selectivity and binding, especially for planar aromatic guests. Although a few methodologies are available for the preparation of rectangles, a simple one-step approach for preparing neutral rectangles with large inner cavities continues to remain a challenge.