Stuffed pumpkins: mechanochemical synthesis of host-guest complexes with cucurbit[7]uril

Solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis (ball-milling) was used to prepare inclusion complexes with cucurbit[7]uril and four model guest molecules (adamantane, adamantyl-1-amine hydrochloride, toluidine hydrochloride, and p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride). Successful formation of individual inclusions was independently confirmed by one- and two-dimensional solid-state NMR techniques and differential scanning calorimetry. Mechanochemical synthesis represents an alternative path towards new types of cucurbit[n]uriliguest inclusion complexes that are not accessible due to limited solubility of the individual components.

Automated summary

Solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis was used to prepare inclusion complexes with cucurbit[7]uril and four model guest molecules. Confirmation of successful formation of individual inclusions was independently confirmed by solid-state NMR techniques and differential scanning calorimetry. Mechanochemical synthesis is an alternative route towards new types of cucurbit[n]uril-guest inclusion complexes.