Abstract
Dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) is a powerful tool for synthesising molecules with complex topologies and identifying unexpected receptors, catalysts and ligands. This work explores its use towards synthesising various [2]catenanes.Chapter 1 outlines the concept of DCC and its applications, exploring how the folding and arrangement of molecules such as catenanes takes place. The DCC evolution is discussed and how donor-acceptor interactions have affected the synthesis of complex topologies.
Chapter 2 describes the discovery of a new generation of donor-acceptor [2]catenanes in aqueous dynamic combinatorial systems. More importantly, a mechanism that explains and predicts the structures formed is provided, giving a fundamental insight into the role played by the hydrophobic effect and donor-acceptor interactions in this process. It also explores in further detail how subtle variations in the building block design influence the selective formation of [2]catenane.
Chapter 3 describes the assembly of new [2]catenanes in aqueous libraries using NDI dumb bell building blocks, where linkers with two nitrogen atom influence the libraries distribution.
In Chapter 4, a new dithiol acceptor building block is introduced and the interaction of this molecule with different acceptors moieties and a donor building block is studied.
Chapter 5 underlines both the advantages and the limitations of the method developed in Chapters 2, 3 and 4.
After a short conclusion (Chapter 5), Chapter 6 provides experimental details.
| Date of Award | 19 Jun 2018 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Dan Pantos (Supervisor) & Simon Lewis (Supervisor) |