A novel approach to cucurbituril synthesis is described where partial substitution is introduced into cucurbit[n]uril. The identification of homologues (and their substitution) in reaction mixtures is achieved by a combination of ESMS and the use of the molecular probes (guests) 1,4dioxane and 1,9-octanediamine. A unique symmetrical hexamethylcucurbit[3,3]uril, the major product, was isolated a...

Binding of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with the hexamethylene diammonium cation (HD(2+)) in the presence of sodium ions is elucidated at the atomic level. The most probable complex of CB[6] in saline solution is found to be CB[6]:Na(+). A two-stage binding process of CB[6]:Na(+) with HD(2+) is proposed.

Cucurbit[7]uril forms very strong complex with zwitterionic dipeptide Phe-Gly with affinity exceeding 10(7) M(-1) and effectively recognizes peptide sequence of Phe-Gly over Gly-Phe as well as Tyr-Gly over Gly-Tyr and Trp-Gly over Gly-Trp with relative affinities of 23 000, 18 000 and 2000, respectively.

Analysis of an RNA-Seq library from cucumber leaf RNA revealed the first complete genome sequence of Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) from Papua New Guinea. We compared it with 36 complete CABYV genomes from other world regions. It most resembled the genome of South Korean isolate GS6.

The near infrared (NIR) absorption and average particle size of gold nanostars (GNSs) can be precisely controlled by varying the molar ratios of cucurbit[7]urils (CB[7]) and GNSs in aqueous solution. GNSs modified with CB[7] achieved high cargo loading with thermally activated release upon the NIR laser irradiation.

A stable 1:1:1 inclusion complex of Ru(bpy)(3)-phenol (1), MV(2+) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) is formed in aqueous solution. In the presence of triethanolamine (TEOA), a light-induced formation of unusual partner radical trimer 1-(MV(+*))(2)-CB[8] has been observed for the first time.

While a single pillar[6]arene ring, nestling between two cucurbit[6]uril rings in a series of three hetero[4]rotaxanes, is conformationally mobile in solution, it adopts the energetically most favourable conformation with local C3V symmetry in the solid state.

Cucurbit[5]uril hydrochloride hydrate crystals with large water-filled channels transform to a highly stable layer structure via a single-crystal to single-crystal mechanism; (129)Xe NMR showed that porosity in CB[5] samples depends critically on the method of preparation.

The reversibly switchable trans-chalcone/flavylium photochromic system was successfully coupled to the complexation equilibrium of a drug-cucurbit[7]uril host-guest assembly. Hence, the phototriggered release of memantine under illumination at 366 nm was observed. The process can be partially reverted through a thermally activated back reaction.