Evidence for an intrinsic binding force between dodecaborate dianions and receptors with hydrophobic binding pockets†
Abstract
A gas phase binding study revealed strong intrinsic intermolecular interactions between dianionic halogenated closo-dodecaborates [B12X12]2− and several neutral organic receptors. Oxidation of a tetrathiafulvalene host allowed switching between two host–guest binding modes in a supramolecular complex. Complexes of β-cyclodextrin with [B12F12]2− show remarkable stability in the gas phase and were successfully tested as carriers for the delivery of boron clusters into cancer cells.