Issue 13, 2024

Design and synthesis of a deep-cavity aluminium-organic macrocycle to trap dyes and generate enhanced non-linear optical performance

Abstract

The development of a “two birds with one stone” strategy for capturing pollutant molecules and incorporating new functions provides a promising solution for sustainability. In this work, we designed an unprecedented deep-cavity aluminum–organic macrocycle to trap dye molecules and enhance non-linear optical performance. Using long building blocks and inorganic aluminum ions at the midriff, we successfully isolated a deep-cavity (1.8 nm) macrocycle, with a deeper cavity than classic pure organic macrocycles, such as crown ether and calixarenes. We report the accurate locking of the HAO7 dye molecule in the deep-cavity macrocycle and reveal its trapping mechanism at the molecular level for the first time. The combined host–guest compound AlOC-136-HAO7 displays altered physical properties, such as a decreased optical band gap and increased proton conductivity but also exhibits enhanced third-order non-linear optical (NLO) properties. Combined with theoretical calculations, we confirmed that the enhancement was attributed to abundant host–guest interactions and the guest-to-guest charge transfer. Our findings provide a strategy for isolating deep-cavity macrocycles and further demonstrate their enormous potential for capturing contaminants and forming valuable materials.

Graphical abstract: Design and synthesis of a deep-cavity aluminium-organic macrocycle to trap dyes and generate enhanced non-linear optical performance

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
17 Apr 2024
Accepted
13 May 2024
First published
14 May 2024

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024,11, 3777-3785

Design and synthesis of a deep-cavity aluminium-organic macrocycle to trap dyes and generate enhanced non-linear optical performance

Z. Liu, S. Shen, C. Zhang, J. Niu, Q. Li, J. Zhang and W. Fang, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024, 11, 3777 DOI: 10.1039/D4QI00976B

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