The anion-induced outer surface interaction of Q[n]s is an important driving force in the construction of Q[n]-based supramolecular frameworks. In this work, a symmetric tetramethyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) is selected as the basic structural block. Using the anion-induced outer surface interaction of Q[n]s derived from [CdxCly]n− anions formed by Cd2+ cations in a HCl medium, four different TMeQ[6]-[CdxCly]n−-based supramolecular frameworks are constructed. Three of the most common TMeQ[6]-[CdxCly]n−-based supramolecular frameworks are selected for further vulcanization, and three different CdS/TMeQ[6]-based framework catalysts with different structures and properties are obtained. The catalytic activities of these three CdS/TMeQ[6]-based framework catalysts are investigated by the coupling photocatalytic reaction of aminobenzyl, and the results showed that the catalytic activities of the three catalysts are all higher than that of pure CdS. Therefore, this work establishes that it is possible to establish a method for synthesizing the Q[n]-based framework-supported catalysts by first synthesizing TMeQ[6]-[CdxCly]n−-based supramolecular frameworks and then forming Q[n]-based framework supported catalysts by sulfurization or reduction.
Abstract Cucurbit[ n ]uril(Q[ n ])-based supramolecular frameworks assembled through outer surface interactions are characterized by their simple composition, convenient preparation, high yields and controllable structures. The most prominent characteristic of these frameworks is their diversity, with various synthesis methods, structural characteristics, structure directing agents and basic building blocks of Q[ n ]s. In this work, a symmetric tetramethyl-substituted Q[6] (TMeQ[6]) is selected as the basic building block, with three different TMeQ[6]-based supramolecular frameworks obtained from 1-, 3- and 5 mol/L aqueous H 2 SO 4 solutions, respectively. The outer surface interactions between TMeQ[6] and the adjacent SO 4 2− anions or TMeQ[6] units are the main driving forces for the formation of these frameworks, which exhibit adsorption properties for fluorophore dyes and organic isomers. These adsorption characteristics may lead to the application of these frameworks in the synthesis of solid fluorescent sensors for volatile organic compounds and the adsorptive separation of alkane isomers. Graphic abstract