Gold extraction at the molecular level using α- and β-cyclodextrins

• Susana Santos Braga

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1116–1125, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.89

• Susana Santos Braga LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal 10.3762/bjoc.21.89 Abstract Cyclodextrins (CDs) are known for their ability to form supramolecular interactions with a wide range of guest molecules. In this review, focus is given on

• spontaneous complex formation between α-CD and tetrabromoaurate and its current status of use in a few mining sites in the United States. Keywords: bromoaurate; cyanoaurate; cyclodextrin inclusion; self-assembly; supramolecular interactions; Introduction Gold has allured and captivated humankind ever since

• , which still depends solely on the highly pollutant cyanide leaching process. An emerging strategy for gold recovery is through supramolecular chemistry, with studies indicating that macrocycles such as 18-crown-6 [23], cucurbit[6]uril [24], cucurbit[8]uril [25], and cyclodextrins can isolate gold with

Supramolecular assembly of hypervalent iodine macrocycles and alkali metals

• Krishna Pandey,
• Lucas X. Orton,
• Grayson Venus,
• Waseem A. Hussain,
• Toby Woods,
• Lichang Wang and
• Kyle N. Plunkett

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1095–1103, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.87

• lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate ethyl etherate LiBArF20 and sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate NaBArF24. The electron-rich, outwardly projected carbonyl oxygens of the HIM co-crystalize with the cations into bent supramolecular architectures. Both crystal structures show a

• are presented. Keywords: hypervalent iodine; macrocycle; metal coordination; supramolecular; Introduction Supramolecular chemistry is emerging as a pivotal area of research in both medicinal and materials chemistry that opens the avenue for new functionalized materials for their use in medical

• devices or therapeutics [1], drug delivery [2], supramolecular sensing [3], purification [4], and separation [5][6]. The interactions in supramolecular assemblies are driven by well-known hydrogen-bonding, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions and π–π stacking [7][8]. The supramolecular

On the photoluminescence in triarylmethyl-centered mono-, di-, and multiradicals

• Daniel Straub,
• Markus Gross,
• Mona E. Arnold,
• Julia Zolg and
• Alexander J. C. Kuehne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 964–998, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.80

Dicarboxylate recognition based on ultracycle hosts through cooperative hydrogen bonding and anion–π interactions

• Wen-Hui Mi,
• Teng-Yu Huang,
• Xu-Dong Wang,
• Yu-Fei Ao,
• Qi-Qiang Wang and
• De-Xian Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 884–889, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.72

• Sciences, Beijing 100049, China 10.3762/bjoc.21.72 Abstract The efficient binding of dicarboxylates represents an important yet challenging issue in supramolecular chemistry. In this study, we designed functional ultracycles as hosts to accommodate large organic dicarboxylate anions. These ultracycles

Unraveling cooperative interactions between complexed ions in dual-host strategy for cesium salt separation

• Zhihua Liu,
• Ya-Zhi Chen,
• Ji Wang,
• Qingling Nie,
• Wei Zhao and
• Biao Wu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 845–853, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.68

• separation [4][5][6][7][8]. Building on the extensive research into anion and cation receptors within the realm of supramolecular chemistry [9][10][11][12], numerous heteroditopic ion-pair receptors have been elaborately developed [13][14][15]. These receptors, consisting of binding sites for both anions and

Carbon-rich materials: from polyaromatic molecules to fullerenes and other carbon allotropes

• Hiroko Yamada and
• Yoko Yamakoshi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 798–799, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.62

• chemistry, computational chemistry, physics, electrochemistry, polymer chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and biochemistry. All are working on fascinating topics associated with these exciting molecules. Furthermore, the authors come from all over the world, not only from Switzerland and Japan but also

Acyclic cucurbit[n]uril bearing alkyl sulfate ionic groups

• Christian Akakpo,
• Peter Y. Zavalij and
• Lyle Isaacs

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 717–726, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.55

• elements of life processes including self- versus non-self-recognition, biosynthesis, molecular and ion transport, and replication. Beginning with the pioneering works of Pedersen, Lehn, and Cram, supramolecular chemists have studied the fundamental aspects of non-covalent interactions in organic solvents

• and water [1][2][3][4]. Building on this fundamental knowledge, supramolecular chemists created a variety of functional systems including supramolecular polymers, sensing ensembles, molecular machines, supramolecular separation phases, and drug delivery systems [5][6][7][8][9]. A primary subfield of

• supramolecular chemistry involves the synthesis of macrocyclic hosts and studies of their molecular recognition properties. The most widely studied macrocyclic host systems include those created entirely by covalent bonds (crown ethers, cyclodextrins, calixarenes, cyclophanes, pillararenes, cucurbit[n]urils (CB

Origami with small molecules: exploiting the C–F bond as a conformational tool

• Patrick Ryan,
• Ramsha Iftikhar and
• Luke Hunter

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 680–716, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.54

• ubiquitous molecules in biology. Their functions permeate every aspect of life, including as essential components of oligonucleotide structure; as principal players in metabolism and energy storage; as motifs for the post-translational modification of proteins; and as partners in myriad supramolecular

• ; instead, it is biased towards one particular rotamer due to nO → σ*C1–O5 hyperconjugation. This opportunity for hyperconjugation is lost with the carbasugar glycosides, and hence the anomeric bond in 75 tends to rotate more freely and this can compromise supramolecular binding interactions. However, the

Asymmetric synthesis of β-amino cyanoesters with contiguous tetrasubstituted carbon centers by halogen-bonding catalysis with chiral halonium salt

• Yasushi Yoshida,
• Maho Aono,
• Takashi Mino and
• Masami Sakamoto

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 547–555, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.43

• organic chemistry [2][3][4][5], organocatalysis [6][7], metal catalysis [8][9], biochemistry [10][11], materials science [12][13], and supramolecular chemistry [14][15], although its successful application to asymmetric catalysis has been limited (Figure 1) [16][17][18][19][20]. In 2018, Arai and co

Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions

• Francesco Mele,
• Ana M. Constantin,
• Andrea Porcheddu,
• Raimondo Maggi,
• Giovanni Maestri,
• Nicola Della Ca’ and
• Luca Capaldo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 458–472, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.33

• surface area exposed to light but also to allow the motions within the crystal. In another instance, MacGillivray and colleagues reported the synthesis of rctt-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)cyclobutane (2.3) via [2 + 2] photodimerization of trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (2.1) via supramolecular catalysis by 4,6

• . Mechanochemically triggered pedal-like motion in solid-state [2 + 2] photochemical cycloaddition for the formation of cyclobutanes [62]. Mechanically promoted [2 + 2] photodimerization of trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (2.1) via supramolecular catalysis by 4,6-dichlororesorcinol (2.2) in the solid state [64

Beyond symmetric self-assembly and effective molarity: unlocking functional enzyme mimics with robust organic cages

• Keith G. Andrews

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 421–443, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.30

• Keith G. Andrews Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Lower Mount Joy, South Rd, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK 10.3762/bjoc.21.30 Abstract The bespoke environments in enzyme active sites can selectively accelerate chemical reactions by as much as 1019. Macromolecular and supramolecular chemists have

• symmetry to enable promising catalytic modes. Keywords: cavity confinement catalysis; enzyme mimicry; robust organic cages; self-assembly; supramolecular catalysis; Introduction I frequently introduce my research on organic cage enzyme mimics with the following observation. For hundreds of years

• -accelerations (1019) [1], tolerance of contaminants, and selectivity associated with the power of enzymes. It is for this reason that I have sought to introduce supramolecular approaches into my organocatalysis [2]. From thermodynamics, there are two components to catalysis: organization (entropic) and

Unraveling aromaticity: the dual worlds of pyrazole, pyrazoline, and 3D carborane

• Zahra Noori,
• Miquel Solà,
• Clara Viñas,
• Francesc Teixidor and
• Jordi Poater

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 412–420, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.29

• chemistry [4][5][6]. Pyrazoles are also extensively employed in agrochemicals, serving as key components in insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides [7]. Beyond their chemical uses, pyrazoles play an important role in the construction of supramolecular assemblies and molecular systems designed for

Hydrogen-bonded macrocycle-mediated dimerization for orthogonal supramolecular polymerization

• Wentao Yu,
• Zhiyao Yang,
• Chengkan Yu,
• Xiaowei Li and
• Lihua Yuan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 179–188, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.10

• Wentao Yu Zhiyao Yang Chengkan Yu Xiaowei Li Lihua Yuan College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China 10.3762/bjoc.21.10 Abstract Orthogonal self-assembly represents a useful methodology to construct supramolecular polymers with AA- and AB-type monomers, as commonly used for

• effectively applied to form orthogonal supramolecular polymers. The macrocycle-mediated connectivity was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed a unique 2:2 binding motif between host and guest, bridged by two cationic pyridinium end groups through π-stacking interactions and other

• polymerization concentration of 17 μM. These polymers were highly concentration-dependent. Establishing this new dimerization motif with shape-persistent H-bonded macrocycles widens the scope of noncovalent building blocks for supramolecular polymers and augurs well for the future development of functional

Hot shape transformation: the role of PSar dehydration in stomatocyte morphogenesis

• Remi Peters,
• Levy A. Charleston,
• Karinan van Eck,
• Teun van Berlo and
• Daniela A. Wilson

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 47–54, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.5

• glutamate); polysarcosine; shape transformation; stomatocyte; supramolecular chemistry; Introduction Polymeric vesicles represent a promising candidate for usage in drug delivery systems due to their facile assembly and ability to provide a stable soft interface. Among these materials, polyethylene glycol

Synthesis of acenaphthylene-fused heteroarenes and polyoxygenated benzo[j]fluoranthenes via a Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura/C–H arylation cascade

• Merve Yence,
• Dilgam Ahmadli,
• Damla Surmeli,
• Umut Mert Karacaoğlu,
• Sujit Pal and
• Yunus Emre Türkmen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3290–3298, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.273

• focus of extensive research within the past two decades due to their interesting structural features, attractive photophysical properties, and diverse applications [2]. Indeed, fluoranthenes are particularly useful in supramolecular chemistry, organic electronics, and materials science [3] as

Efficient synthesis of fluorinated triphenylenes with enhanced arene–perfluoroarene interactions in columnar mesophases

• Yang Chen,
• Jiao He,
• Hang Lin,
• Hai-Feng Wang,
• Ping Hu,
• Bi-Qin Wang,
• Ke-Qing Zhao and
• Bertrand Donnio

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3263–3273, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.270

• -67034 Strasbourg, France 10.3762/bjoc.20.270 Abstract The high potential of non-covalent arene–fluoroarene intermolecular interactions in the design of liquid crystals lies in their ability to strongly promote self-assembly, improve the order and stability of the supramolecular mesophases, and enable

• critical role in the engineering of functional and complex supramolecular assemblies [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], ranging from rigid crystalline architectures [3][4][5][6][7][8] to soft liquid crystalline materials [9][10][11]. Their unique properties originate from the high electronegativity of the

• very similar, with no effect of the pending group nature (C6H5 vs C6F5) on the mesophase stability. A proposed model for the supramolecular organization of Fn in the Colhex phase is shown in Figure S42 of Supporting Information File 1. The bitriphenylene Gnm materials exhibit different X-ray patterns

Advances in the use of metal-free tetrapyrrolic macrocycles as catalysts

• Mandeep K. Chahal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3085–3112, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.257

• , porphyrins and corroles, which are structurally related to porphyrins. Calix[4]pyrroles are versatile receptors in supramolecular chemistry while porphyrins are considered as ‘pigment of life’ due to their role in vital biological processes. Beyond their natural functions, synthetic porphyrins have been

• conformational flexibility, allowing them to adopt four key conformations: 1,3-alternate, cone, partial cone, and 1,2-alternate [1][2]. Calix[4]pyrroles are one of the most studied hosts in supramolecular chemistry, finding use in applications of molecular recognition and extraction, drug delivery, ion transport

• recognition, and supramolecular assemblies [9][10][11][12][13]. There are numerous examples of using metalloporphyrins as artificial photosynthesis models, enzyme mimics, and catalysts for various organic transformations, where a metal center acts as an active site [14][15][16][17]. However, metal-free (or

Cyclodextrin-based rotaxanes for polymer materials: challenge on simultaneous realization of inexpensive production and defined structures

• Yosuke Akae

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3026–3049, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.252

• reaction via a simple process compared with other synthesis methods, this method can be developed as a platform for constructing rotaxane structures for further supramolecular-architecture designs, which will be explored in more detail. When a perfectly methylated α-CD (PMα-CD) is used for rotaxane

• named the vinylic supramolecular crosslinker (VSC), which was made of an axle component having a polymerizable vinylic group and a bulky end-capping group on the other side, and α-CD oligomer having around 3–5 α-CDs linked by a PPG linker with urethane bonds as the wheel component. This VSC was easily

C–C Coupling in sterically demanding porphyrin environments

• Liam Cribbin,
• Brendan Twamley,
• Nicolae Buga,
• John E. O’ Brien,
• Raphael Bühler,
• Roland A. Fischer and
• Mathias O. Senge

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2784–2798, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.234

• porphyrin architectures, which could be used in supramolecular assemblies, catalysis, or sensing. In this work a library of arm-extended dodecasubstituted porphyrins was synthesized through the optimization of the classic Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of peripheral haloaryl substituents with a range of boronic

• , borylation of a dodecasubstituted porphyrin’s meso-phenyl position was explored and a subsequent C–C coupling showed the polarity of the reaction can be reversed resulting in higher yields. X-ray analysis of the target compounds revealed the formation of supramolecular assemblies, capable of accommodating

• porphyrins Nonplanar porphyrins are known to form supramolecular assemblies [6], either through hydrogen-bonding networks or through π–π interactions. Examples of this can be seen in the trapping of Keggin-type heteropolyoxometalate (POM) through nonplanar Mo(V)–porphyrin complexes [58], or porphyrin

Deciphering the mechanism of γ-cyclodextrin’s hydrophobic cavity hydration: an integrated experimental and theoretical study

• Stiliyana Pereva,
• Stefan Dobrev,
• Tsveta Sarafska,
• Valya Nikolova,
• Silvia Angelova,
• Tony Spassov and
• Todor Dudev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2635–2643, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.221

• sequential coordination of the water guests. The resulting supramolecular architecture, composed of CD and interconnected water molecules, is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and CDs. The pattern previously observed for α- and β-CD hydration is fully relevant for γ-CD: the hotspot of

Applications of microscopy and small angle scattering techniques for the characterisation of supramolecular gels

• Connor R. M. MacDonald and
• Emily R. Draper

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2608–2634, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.220

• supramolecular gels. Keywords: characterisation; electron microscopy; gelators; small angle scattering; supramolecular materials; Introduction Supramolecular gels are a versatile class of materials, and are of interest in many diverse applications from energy storage to cell culture [1][2]. The versatile

• gives rise to difficulties in understanding and predicting gel structure and properties [2]. In order to understand the supramolecular structure, a robust characterisation regime is required. A comprehensive work edited by Weiss and Térech discussed in detail the plethora of chemical systems

• , characterisation techniques, and applications of molecular gels; which still remains deeply insightful despite the rapid advancement of the field [10]. A more recent review by Yu et al. summarised a number of techniques used to characterise supramolecular materials [11]. Two of the most commonly used methods of

Anion-dependent ion-pairing assemblies of triazatriangulenium cation that interferes with stacking structures

• Yohei Haketa,
• Takuma Matsuda and
• Hiromitsu Maeda

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2567–2576, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.215

• been widely investigated in the past decades for application as fluorescent dyes [3][4][5], chirality inducers [6][7][8], acceptors for photoinduced electron transfer (PET) [9][10], and components of supramolecular assemblies [11][12][13][14]. Owing to the stable π-electronic systems showing unique

• . Moreover, the N-aryl-substituted TATA+ cations have been used as the building units of porous organic polymers for capturing CO2 [27]. Cations with characteristic electron-deficient planar triangular geometries were used as scaffolds for various supramolecular cage structures [28][29]. Although

HFIP as a versatile solvent in resorcin[n]arene synthesis

• Hormoz Khosravi,
• Valeria Stevens and
• Raúl Hernández Sánchez

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2469–2475, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.211

• ], Szumna [37][38][39], Reinhoudt [40][41], Konishi [42][43][44], Tiefenbacher [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], Strongin [53][54][55] among others. The wide-ranging popularity of resorcin[n]arenes is rooted in the numerous applications these compounds have in supramolecular chemistry, e.g., catalysis and

• chloro species and flattened cone or boat for 1s [89]. Overall, access to electron-deficient and halogenated resorcin[4]arenes in one synthetic step provides building blocks to advance a wide range of chemical, physical, materials, and supramolecular applications. Future modifications of the protocol

• reported herein may impact the synthesis of other macrocyclic arene species, e.g., calix[n]arenes, calix[4]pyrroles, pillar[n]arenes, and cucurbit[n]urils [90][91][92]. Perspective Supramolecular chemistry is a mature field that has crossed boundaries into many other scientific areas. However, the work

Synthesis and conformational analysis of pyran inter-halide analogues of ᴅ-talose

• Olivier Lessard,
• Mathilde Grosset-Magagne,
• Paul A. Johnson and
• Denis Giguère

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2442–2454, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.208

• , this study should be of general interest in the understanding of weak interactions that are now important to so many areas of chemistry, such as crystal engineering and supramolecular chemistry. Synthesis of trihalogenated pyrans: a) Chiron approach to multivicinal inter-halide derived from

Synthesis, electrochemical properties, and antioxidant activity of sterically hindered catechols with 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-triazole, thiazole or pyridine fragments

• Daria A. Burmistrova,
• Andrey Galustyan,
• Nadezhda P. Pomortseva,
• Kristina D. Pashaeva,
• Maxim V. Arsenyev,
• Oleg P. Demidov,
• Mikhail A. Kiskin,
• Andrey I. Poddel’sky,
• Nadezhda T. Berberova and
• Ivan V. Smolyaninov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2378–2391, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.202

• planes of the cycles corresponds to 5°). These pairs (Figure 3) are bound in a supramolecular chain along the 0c axis owing to two H-bonds between the OH group of catechol and the oxygen atom of nitro-group (O1–H1···O4B (1−x, 1−y, −1+z): the H1···O4 distance is 2.46(1) Å, the O1···O4 distance is 2.886(3