Cryptophanes are a class of organic supramolecular compounds studied and synthesized primarily for molecular encapsulation and recognition. One possible noteworthy application of cryptophanes is encapsulation and storage of hydrogen gas for potential use in fuel cell automobiles. Cryptophanes can also serve as containers in which organic chemists can carry out reactions that would otherwise be difficult to run under normal conditions. Due to their unique molecular recognition properties, cryptophanes also hold great promise as a potentially new way to study the binding of organic molecules with substrates, particularly as pertaining to biological and biochemical applications.[1]
Discovery
editCryptophanes were discovered by Andrรฉ Collet and Jacqueline Gabard in 1981[2] when these researchers created, using template-directed synthesis, the first cryptophane, now known as cryptophane-A.
Structure
editCryptophane cages are formed by two cup-shaped [1.1.1]โorthocyclophane units (see cyclotriveratrylene),[3] connected by three bridges (denoted Y). There are also choices of the peripheral substitutes R1 and R2 attached to the aromatic rings of the units. Most cryptophanes exhibit two diastereomeric forms (syn and anti), distinguished by their symmetry type. This general scheme offers a variety of choices (Y, R1, R2, and symmetry type) by which the shape, volume and chemical properties of the generally hydrophobic pocket inside the cage can be modified, making cryptophanes suitable for encapsulating many types of small molecules and even chemical reactions.
General classification
editDepending on their structure, cryptophane cages are classified according to the following table.[3]
| Structure | Name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Y | R1 | R2 | ย antiย | ย synย | described in |
| 3 ร O(CX2)2O, where X is H or D | OCX3 | OCX3 | A | Brotin et al.[4] | |
| 3 ร O(CX2)2O | OCH2CO2H | OCH2CO2H | A3 | ||
| 3 ร O(CX2)2O | OCH3 | H | C | D | |
| 3 ร O(CH2)3O | OCH3 | OCH3 | E | F | |
| 3 ร O(CH2)3O | OCH2CO2H | OCH2CO2H | E3 | ||
| 3 ร O(CH2)5O | OCH3 | OCH3 | O | P | |
| 3 ร O(CH2)5O | OCH2CO2H | OCH2CO2H | O3 | ||
| 3 ร OCH2CโกCCโกCH2O | CH3 | CH3 | ฮณ (gamma) | ฮด (delta) | |
| 2 ร O(CH2)2O, 1 ร O(CH2)3O | OCH3 | OCH3 | 223 | ||
| 2 ร O(CH2)3O, 1 ร O(CH2)2O | OCH3 | OCH3 | 233 | ||
| 2 ร O(CH2)2O, 1 ร O(CH2)4O | OCH3 | OCH3 | 224 | ||
References
edit- ^ Palaniappan, K. K.; Francis, M. B.; Pines, A.; Wemmer, D. E. Molecular sensing using hyperpolarized xenon NMR spectroscopy. Isr. J. Chem. 2014, 54, 104โ112.
- ^ Gabard, J.; Collet, A. (1981). "Synthesis of a (D3)-bis(cyclotriveratrylenyl) macrocage by stereospecific replication of a (C3)-subunit". Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications (21). Royal Society of Chemistry: 1137โ1139. doi:10.1039/C39810001137.
- ^ a b Holman, K. Travis (2004). "Cryptophanes: Molecular Containers". In Atwood, J. L.; Steed, J. W. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Supramolecular Chemistry. CRC Press. pp.ย 340โ348. doi:10.1081/E-ESMC (inactive 11 July 2025). ISBNย 0-8247-4723-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link) - ^ Brotin, Thierry; Devic, Thomas; Lesage, Anne; Emsley, Lyndon; Collet, Andrรฉ (March 2001). "Synthesis of deuterium-labeled cryptophane-A and investigation of Xe@Cryptophane complexation dynamics by 1D-EXSY NMR experiments". Chemistry: A European Journal. 7 (7): 1561โ1573. doi:10.1002/1521-3765(20010401)7:7<1561::AID-CHEM1561>3.0.CO;2-9. PMIDย 11330913.
