[Fe4L6](8+) cages: encapsulation and catalytic degradation of an insecticide

Chimia (Aarau). 2014;68(4):204-7. doi: 10.2533/chimia.2014.204.

Abstract

Chiral bis(diimine) ligands (derived from chiral enantiopure diamines and 2-formylpyridine) enantioselectively self-assemble with an iron (II) salt to either the tetrahedral cage molecule ΔΔΔΔ-[Fe4L6](8+) or its enantiomer, ΛΛΛΛ-[Fe4L6](8+). These versatile water-soluble capsules are capable of binding a wide range of organic guests in their large hydrophobic cavities. Among these guests is the neurotoxic insecticide dichlorvos, for which the ΔΔΔΔ-[Fe4L6](8+) coordination capsule serves as a competent supramolecular catalyst for its hydrolysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Diamines / chemistry
  • Dichlorvos / chemistry*
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrolysis
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Insecticides / chemistry*
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • 2-formyl pyridine
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Diamines
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Insecticides
  • Ligands
  • Pyridines
  • Water
  • Dichlorvos
  • Iron