Does Size Really Matter? The Steric Isotope Effect in a Supramolecular Host–Guest Exchange Reaction

Abstract

Does size really matter? Inverse kinetic isotope effects of up to 11 % are observed in the guest-exchange process from a highly charged supramolecular host (see picture). While the observed isotope effects can be understood in terms of the smaller steric requirements of deuterium, they are more fully explained in terms of coupling of the host aperture dilation with the guest CH/D vibrational modes. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.