Resorcin[4]arenes: A Convenient Scaffold To Study Supramolecular Self-Assembly and Host:Guest Interactions for the Undergraduate Curriculum

In response to the call for an increased emphasis from the American Chemical Society on including macromolecular studies in the undergraduate curriculum, a supramolecular-themed experiment was designed for undergraduate-level organic laboratory courses that provides a convenient platform to study physical behaviors of supramolecular assemblies. Students synthesize an easily purified resorcin[4]arene and characterize the product of its self-assembly via 1H NMR spectroscopy. These bowl-shaped molecules are noteworthy because of their propensity to self-assemble in organic solution in the presence of trace water or alcohol solvents. Upon self-assembly, the resulting hexamer adopts a well-defined molecular cage structure with a large internal cavity that can be used to explore host:guest chemistry. After completing the experiment, students are expected to gain a better understanding of electrophilic aromatic substitution, 1H NMR spectroscopy, supramolecular chemistry and self-assembly, and molecular recognition.