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Direct coordination of metal ions to cucurbit[n]urils

  • Invited Review
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Cucurbit[n]urils (Q[n]) are promising ligands for the coordination of metal ions, metal complexes or clusters, and form various Q[n]-based complexes. Among the Q[n] complexes, those formed by direct coordination between Q[n]s and metal ions are particularly important. The direct coordination of metal ions to cucurbit[n]urils leads to the formation of Q[n]-based molecular capsules, tubular polymers and molecular bracelets, which could have nanoscale applications in drug delivery, molecular devices and new materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Hang Cong, QianJiang Zhu, SaiFeng Xue & Zhu Tao

  2. CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Lindfield, 2070, Australia

    Gang Wei

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  2. QianJiang Zhu
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  4. Zhu Tao
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Correspondence to QianJiang Zhu or Gang Wei.

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Cong, H., Zhu, Q., Xue, S. et al. Direct coordination of metal ions to cucurbit[n]urils. Chin. Sci. Bull. 55, 3633–3640 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-4146-8

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