Uptake of Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solution by Encapsulation in Acyclic Cucurbit[n]uril-Type Molecular Containers

The ability of two water-soluble acyclic cucurbit[n] uril (CB[n]) type containers, whose hydrophobic cavity is defined by a glycoluril tetramer backbone and terminal aromatic (benzene, naphthalene) sidewalls, to act as solubilizing agents for hydrocarbons in water is described. H-1 NMR spectroscopy studies and phase-solubility diagrams establish that the naphthalene-walled container performs as well as, or better than, CB[7] and CB[8] in promoting the uptake of poorly soluble hydrocarbons into aqueous solution through formation of host-hydrocarbon complexes. The naphthalene-walled acyclic CB[n] container is able to extract large hydrocarbons from crude oil into aqueous solution.