Self-assembly of a ternary architecture driven by cooperative Hg2+ ion binding between cucurbit[7]uril and crown ether macrocyclic hosts

Abstract

A novel supramolecular assembly comprising CB[7], styrylpyridinium dye (1) and Hg²⁺ forms in aqueous solution based on the hydrophobic effect and metal–ligand and ion–dipole interactions. The binding of Hg²⁺ to 1·CB[7] displays positive cooperativity relative to 1 itself.