Volume 24, Issue 68 p. 17856-17868
Concept

Dynamic Behavior of Covalent Organic Cages

Dr. Kosuke Ono

Dr. Kosuke Ono

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan

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Prof. Nobuharu Iwasawa

Corresponding Author

Prof. Nobuharu Iwasawa

Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551 Japan

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First published: 10 July 2018
Citations: 55

Graphical Abstract

Capture and release: The dynamic behavior of covalent organic cages has emerged as a new field of supramolecular chemistry. Herein, this behavior is classified into four types: dimerization into interlocked cages, transformation into different cage structures, exchange of components, and disassembly (see figure). The characteristics and driving forces of dynamic behavior, as well as problems to be solved, are highlighted.

Abstract

Discrete, large, covalent organic cages have recently been constructed by utilizing various types of dynamic covalent bond formation. The reversibility of bond formation can provide an opportunity to exhibit unique dynamic behavior; however, the transformation of such rigid cages to other structures remains challenging. To clarify the current status of this emerging research field, this Concept article gives an overview of recent progress of the dynamic behavior of covalent organic cages by classifying them into four types of transformation, namely, dimerization into the interlocked cages, transformation into different cage structures, exchange of components, and disassembly. The driving forces of such dynamic behavior and problems to be solved are also highlighted.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.