Computational study of the supramolecular complexation of azocompounds with cucurbit[7]uril: effects on the production and release of free radicals

Context

An inclusion complex between 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a widely employed azocompound, and cucurbit[7]util (CB[7]), has shown an increased yield of radicals derived from the homolytic cleavage of the azo bond. Aimed to get insights about the formation of complexes and their effect on the yield of radicals production, complexes of CB[7] with seven azocompounds were studied by computational methods. Molecular electrostatic surfaces and structural analysis showed that the inclusion of symmetrical azocompounds inside of CB[7] depends mainly on the charge density and position of the functional groups at the main chain of the azoderivative. Analysis of non-covalent interactions and thermodynamic outcomes revealed that positively charged azocompounds with amidinium or imidazolium groups presented strong favorable interactions (multiple hydrogen bonds) with the oxygens of CB[7] portals. Additionally, carbon-centered radicals generated from the complexes (azocompounds@CB[7]) were corroborated using the electron localization function (ELF). Results evidenced that the strength of the interactions and the level of inclusion (partial or complete) between the azocompound and CB[7] determined the final orientation of the radicals (located out- or inside of the CB[7] cavity). Obtained results could be employed to design new supramolecular systems based on the properties of azocomplound@CB[7] complexes for new scientific or industrial applications.

Methods

First-principles calculations at B3LYP-D3BJ/6-311g(d,p) level theory in the gas phase and in solvent (PCM, water) were performed in Gaussian 16 software package. The dispersion energy correction was included through the Grimme’s dispersion with Becke-Johnson damping D3(BJ). Thermodynamical data and the minimum character of all structures were obtained from vibrational frequency calculations. NBO, Multiwfn, Chemcraft, and NCIPLOT software were used to perform population analysis, analyze outcomes, visualize data, and display non-covalent interactions respectively.