A self-sorting scheme based on tetra-urea calix[4]arenes.
Size and shape do matter: When dimerized in nonpolar solvents, an equimolar mixture of eleven tetra-urea calix[4]arenes with different wide-rim substituents self-sorts into only six out of 35 different homo- and heterodimers (see picture). Since the calixarene scaffold and the four urea units are the same in all cases, the self-sorting process is driven only by the cooperative action of steric requirements and stoichiometry.
Abteilung Lehramt Chemie, Fachbereich Chemie, Pharmazie und Geowissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
Yuliya
Y
Rudzevich
Valentyn
V
Rudzevich
Fabian
F
Klautzsch
Christoph A
CA
Schalley
Volker
V
Böhmer