Cucurbit[7]uril and <i>o</i>-Carborane Self-Assemble to Form a Molecular Ball Bearing

Abstract

The self-assembly of cucurbit[7]uril (Q7) with o-carborane (1) produces a molecular ball bearing nanostructure (2). While investigating the possible role of o-carborane as a template for the controlled synthesis of Q7, new synthetic reaction conditions were discovered. Both the solvent and the reaction temperature had a marked effect on the relative percentages of cucurbit[n]uril (n = 5, 6, 7, 8) produced. The effect of the o-carborane in the reaction mixture is discussed.