Macrocycle with repeating triazole-carbazole units

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions of tricarbazole triazolophane (tricarb) of Formulas (I), (II) and (III): ##STR00001##
wherein R of Formula (I) is selected from a group consisting of alkyl (for example, C.sub.6-C.sub.18), alkyl-substituted phenyl derivatives, and substituted glycol derivatives, among others, or a combination thereof, and R, R and R of Formulas (II) and (III) are independently selected from a group consisting of alkyl (for example, C.sub.6 to C.sub.18), alkyl-substituted phenyl derivatives, and substituted glycol derivatives, or a combination thereof. The disclosure presents examples of thin films composed of the same as well as methods of binding anions from the same.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a tricarbazole triazolophane (tricarb) selected from one of the following: ##STR00014## or a combination thereof, wherein R of Formula (I) is selected from a group consisting of alkyl, alkyl-substituted phenyl, and substituted glycol, or a combination thereof, and R, R and R of Formulas (II) and (III) are independently selected from a group consisting of alkyl, alkyl-substituted phenyl, and substituted glycol, or a combination thereof.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein R of Formula (I) is selected from a group consisting of C.sub.6H.sub.13 (IA), C.sub.10H.sub.21 (IB), C.sub.18H.sub.37 (IC), di-tert-butyl phenyl (ID), and triethylene glycol (IE), or a combination thereof: ##STR00015## ##STR00016##

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein R is C.sub.10H.sub.21 (IB): ##STR00017##

4. A complex, comprising: a composition of claim 1, and an anion, wherein the composition is bound to the anion.

5. The complex of claim 4, wherein the anion is selected from a group consisting of ClO.sub.4.sup., ReO.sub.4.sup., PF.sub.6.sup., SbF.sub.6.sup., FeCl.sub.4.sup., mesylate (CH.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.), triflate (CF.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.), arsenate (AsO.sub.4.sup.3), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF.sub.6.sup.), tetrachloroaluminate (AlCl.sub.4.sup.), phosphate (PO.sub.4.sup.3), hydrogenophosphate (HPO.sub.4.sup.2), dihydrogenophosphate (H.sub.2PO.sub.4.sup.), sulfate (SO.sub.4.sup.2), hydrogen sulfate (HSO.sub.4.sup.), tetracyanoborate (B(CN).sub.4.sup.), a halide (F.sup., Cl.sup., Br.sup., I.sup.), cyanide, perbromate (BrO.sub.4.sup.), periodate (IO.sub.4.sup.), bifluoride (HF.sub.2.sup.), pertechnetate (TcO.sub.4.sup.), monosubstituted phosphate esters (RPO.sub.4.sup.2), disubstituted phosphate esters (R.sub.2PO.sub.4.sup.), organosulfonates (RSO.sub.3.sup.), thiocyanate, (SCN.sup.), azide (N.sub.3.sup.), triiodide (I.sub.3.sup.), carbonate (CO.sub.3.sup.2), monohydrogen carbonate (HCO.sub.3.sup.), iron tetrachlorate, gold dicyanate (Au(CN).sub.2.sup.), acetate (CH.sub.3CO.sub.2.sup.), uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6.sup.), sulfide (S.sup.2), platinum hexachlorate (PtCl.sub.6.sup.2), and S.sub.2.sup.2, S.sub.4.sup.2, S.sub.6.sup.2, S.sub.8.sup.2 and S.sub.n.sup.2, where n is an even number, or a combination thereof, including mono- and poly-protonated forms, or a combination of the foregoing anions thereof.

6. The complex of claim 4, wherein a ratio of the composition comprising a tricarb to the anion is selected from 1:1 (tricarb:anion), 2:1 (tricarb:anion), and 3:2 (tricarb:anion).

7. The complex of claim 4, wherein the anion displays one of a binding affinity parameter of log .sub.2 greater than 7 or a positive cooperativity greater than 5.

8. A method of binding an anion, comprising: contacting the anion with a composition of claim 1.

9. A method of removing an anion from a mixture, comprising: contacting the mixture with a composition of claim 1 to form a complex comprising the anion and the composition; and separating the complex from the mixture.

10. A film comprising a composition of claim 1.

11. A method of binding an anion, comprising: contacting the anion with a film of claim 10.

12. A method of removing an anion from a mixture, comprising: contacting the mixture with a film comprising the composition of claim 1 to form a complex of the anion and the film or a dissociated dimer of a tricarb thereof, wherein the tricarb comprises the composition of claim 1; and separating from the mixture the complex of the anion and the film or the dissociated dimer of a tricarb thereof.

13. A method of controlling the thickness of a film comprising the composition of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the film is obtained by varying one of the following parameters: a concentration of the composition of claim 1, the amount of anions, and at least one substituent of the composition of claim 1.

14. A composition comprising the tricarb according to claim 1, wherein the tricarb is oxidized.

15. A composition comprising the complex according to claim 6, wherein the tricarb is oxidized.

16. A method of oxidation, comprising contacting the composition of claim 1 with an electrode to which is applied a positive voltage.

17. A method of oxidation, comprising contacting the complex of claim 6 with an electrode to which is applied a positive voltage.

18. A method of oxidation, comprising contacting the composition of claim 1 with an oxidizing agent.

19. A method of oxidation, comprising contacting the complex of claim 6 with an oxidizing agent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features, objects and advantages other than those set forth above will become more readily apparent when consideration is given to the detailed description below. Such detailed description makes reference to the following drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary electrostatic potential map of tricarb of Formula (I) (geometry optimized: B3LYP/6-31G*, red: 190 kJ mol.sup.1, blue: +170 kJ mol.sup.1).

(3) FIG. 2A depicts exemplary spectra of .sup.1H NMR titration of tricarb of Formula (IB) (1 mM) with TBAPF.sub.6 (20% CD.sub.3OD/CDCl.sub.3, 500 MHz, 298 K).

(4) FIG. 2B depicts an exemplary plot of anion binding constants obtained from equilibrium restricted factor analysis (D. A. Griend, D. K. Bediako, M. J. DeVries, N. A. DeJong, L. P. Heeringa, Inorg Chem 2008, 47, 656-662) of UV-Vis titration data (20% MeOH/CHCl.sub.3). Salts added as TBA.sup.+ with exception of FeCl.sub.4.sup. added as the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium salt.

(5) FIG. 3A depicts a proposed mode of dipole-aligned stacking of tricarb of Formula (IB).

(6) FIG. 3B depicts exemplary variable concentration .sup.1H NMR spectra of tricarb of Formula (IB) (20% CD.sub.3OD/CDCl.sub.3, 500 MHz, 298 K).

(7) FIG. 3C depicts exemplary variable concentration plots of UV-Vis extinction maxima (20% MeOH/CHCl.sub.3 and CHCl.sub.3).

(8) FIG. 4A depicts exemplary high-resolution STM images and packing models of tricarb at TCB/graphite interface, wherein the flower structure with separated rosettes consisting of six tricarb molecules (a=b=5.340.11 nm, =601). Conditions: 7510.sup.6 M, I.sub.T=30 pA, V.sub.sample=0.3 V.

(9) FIG. 4B depicts an exemplary honeycomb structure, with a hexagonal, fused nanopore network (a=b=2.890.09 nm, =601). Conditions: 7510.sup.6 M, I.sub.T=30 pA, V.sub.sample=0.3 V.

(10) FIG. 4C depicts an exemplary STM image showing coexistence, shared unit cell vector directions and density differences of flower and honeycomb polymorphs. Conditions: FIG. 4C: 15010.sup.6 M, I.sub.T=10 pA, V.sub.sample=0.5 V.

(11) FIG. 4D depicts proposed packing model for the flower polymorph.

(12) FIG. 4E depicts proposed packing model showing P chirality of a rosette composed of S enantiomers of tricarb (top) and a detailed view of DDAA seam (bottom).

(13) FIG. 4F depicts proposed packing model for the honeycomb polymorph (inset).

(14) FIG. 5A depicts an exemplary high-resolution STM image of the tricarb honeycomb multilayer with five distinct levels of contrast ([tricarb]=15010.sup.6 M, I.sub.T=10 pA, V.sub.sample=0.3 V).

(15) FIG. 5B depicts line profiles taken from image of FIG. 5A showing the discrete levels of stacking with side view of molecular models for monolayer (gray, 1.5 ), bilayer (white, 2.25 ), trimer (pink, 3.0 ), tetramer (yellow, 3.75 ) and pentamer (green, 4.5-5.0 ). Alkyls within rosette pores are gray.

(16) FIG. 5C depicts an exemplary top view of 3D schematic model of tubular packing of tricarb with matched color-coding.

(17) FIG. 5D depicts an exemplary 3D molecular model side view of the densely packed rosette highlighted by a white box in FIG. 5D, where the alkyls (space filling) are shown to occupy the rosette pore.

(18) FIG. 6A depicts an exemplary STM image of tricarb of Formula (IB) in the honeycomb structure with 0.005 eq. of TBAI added at the TCB/graphite interface. Bright circular features located at the centers of macrocycles are assigned to bound I.sup.. Green molecules indicate unbound multilayer sites. Purple molecules highlight dynamic movement of I.sup. anions between scan lines allowing formation of a multilayer stack. The white box (yellow molecule) likely shows a 2:1 sandwich complex, and the white arrow (orange molecule) points to an unbound monolayer tricarb site. Conditions: [tricarb]=15010.sup.6 M, I.sub.T=81 pA, V.sub.sample=0.44 V.

(19) FIG. 6B depicts a model of tricarb of Formula (IB) in the honeycomb structure with 0.005 eq. of TBAI added at the TCB/graphite interface as in FIG. 6A. Bright circular features located at the centers of macrocycles are assigned to bound I.sup.. Green molecules indicate unbound multilayer sites. Purple molecules highlight dynamic movement of I.sup. anions between scan lines allowing formation of a multilayer stack. The white box (yellow molecule) likely shows a 2:1 sandwich complex, and the white arrow (orange molecule) points to an unbound monolayer tricarb site. [tricarb]=15010.sup.6 M, I.sub.T=81 pA, V.sub.sample=0.44 V.

(20) FIG. 7 depicts a representative current-voltage response curve recorded using cyclic voltammetry of tricarb of Formula (IB) in solution. The tricarb macrocycle displays peak potentials at 0.95 V and 0.65 V to define a half-wave oxidation potential of 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl. Conditions: [tricarb of Formula (IB)]=110.sup.3 M, 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, glassy carbon working electrode, platinum counter electrode, chloroform, room temperature, Ar degassed.

(21) FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary STM image of tricarb of Formula (IC) in a honeycomb structure. The height contrast is consistent with the tricarb molecules of Formula (IC) forming a monolayer. The concentration of the tricarb of Formula (IC) is 20010.sup.6 M.

(22) While the present invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of exemplary embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the embodiments above and the claims below. Reference should therefore be made to the embodiments and claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) The compositions and methods now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all permutations and variations of embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided in sufficient written detail to describe and enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, along with disclosure of the best mode for practicing the invention, as defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.

(24) Likewise, many modifications and other embodiments of the compositions and methods described herein will come to mind to one of skill in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

(25) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described herein.

(26) Moreover, reference to an element by the indefinite article a or an does not exclude the possibility that more than one element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one element. The indefinite article a or an thus usually means at least one.

(27) As used herein, about means within a statistically meaningful range of a value or values such as a stated concentration, length, molecular weight, pH, sequence identity, time frame, temperature or volume. Such a value or range can be within an order of magnitude, typically within 20%, more typically within 10%, and even more typically within 5% of a given value or range. The allowable variation encompassed by about will depend upon the particular system under study, and can be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art.

(28) Overview

(29) The design of macrocycles called tricarbazole triazolophanes (tricarb) is presented herein. These novel macrocycles employ alternating carbazole building blocks and triazole linkages for achieving one-pot syntheses and anion binding. As a result of the encoding present in the outer edges and surfaces of the macrocycle provided by the alternating carbazoles and triazoles, a plurality of the novel macrocycles organize into a hierarchical self-organization resulting in the formation of stacked tubular films. The present disclosure provides exemplary macrocycle compositions, methods for their synthesis, their novel anion-binding properties, and thin films assembled from the macrocycles.

(30) Compositions and Synthetic Routes

(31) Compositions of the invention include tricarbs of Formula (I):

(32) ##STR00003##
wherein R is selected from any substituent known in the art being compatible with forming a bond with nitrogen. For example, R can be a side chain having a net charge, such as positive (for example, amine-ammonium and pyridinium or negative (for example, carboxylates, sulfonates, among others) or R can be hydrophobic (for example, alkyls, aromatics, fluoroalkanes, among others). Thus, depending upon the chemical substituent for R, the resultant tricarb of Formula (I) can confer tunable solubility in water, organic solvents and fluorous solvents. Preferred compositions can include tricarbs of Formula (I), wherein R is alkyl (for example, C.sub.6-C.sub.18), alkyl-substituted phenyl derivatives, and substituted glycol derivatives, among others. Highly preferred compositions can include tricarbs of Formula (I), wherein R is C.sub.6H.sub.13 (IA) C.sub.10H.sub.21 (IB) C.sub.18H.sub.37 (IC), di-tert-butyl phenyl (ID) or triethylene glycol (IE):

(33) ##STR00004## ##STR00005##

(34) A general synthetic route for preparing tricarbs of Formula (I) is presented in synthetic Scheme (A):

(35) ##STR00006##
where RX, where X includes a leaving group following a S.sub.N2, such as, for example, a halide group (for example, Br.sup., Cl.sup., and I.sup.). Thus, tricarbs having the structure of Formula (I) can be prepared in a one-pot synthesis.

(36) In another aspect, compositions of the invention include tricarbs of Formula (II):

(37) ##STR00007##
wherein R, R and R are independently selected from any substituent(s) known in the art being compatible with forming a bond with nitrogen. For example, R, R and R can be a side chain having a net charge, such as positive (for example, amine-ammonium and pyridinium or negative (for example, carboxylates, sulfonates, among others) or R, R and R can be hydrophobic (for example, alkyls, aromatics, fluoroalkanes, among others). Thus, depending upon the chemical substituent for R, R and R, the resultant tricarb of Formula (II) can confer tunable solubility in water, organic solvents and fluorous solvents. Preferred compositions can include tricarbs of Formula (II) wherein R, R and R are independently selected from alkyl (for example, C.sub.6-C.sub.18), alkyl-substituted phenyl derivatives, and substituted glycol derivatives, among others.

(38) One general, step-wise, synthetic route for preparing tricarbs of Formula (II) is presented in synthetic Scheme (B):

(39) ##STR00008##
wherein compounds having R and R are used at 10 mol % in the designated synthesis steps using those compounds, owing to the statistical distribution analysis of the side chains in the expected products formed from the synthesis.

(40) In another aspect, compositions of the invention include tricarbs of Formula (III):

(41) ##STR00009##

(42) wherein R, R and R are independently selected from any substituent(s) known in the art being compatible with forming a bond with nitrogen. For example, R, R and R can be a side chain having a net charge, such as positive (for example, amine-ammonium and pyridinium or negative (for example, carboxylates, sulfonates, among others) or R, R and R can be hydrophobic (for example, alkyls, aromatics, fluoroalkanes, among others). Thus, depending upon the chemical substituent for R, R and R, the resultant tricarb of Formula (III) can confer tunable solubility in water, organic solvents and fluorous solvents. Preferred compositions can include tricarbs of Formula (III) wherein R, R and R are independently selected from alkyl (for example, C.sub.6-C.sub.18), alkyl-substituted phenyl derivatives, and substituted glycol derivatives, among others.

(43) A piece-wise, synthetic route for preparing tricarbs of Formulas (I)-(III) is presented in synthetic Scheme (C):

(44) ##STR00010##

(45) Referring to Scheme (C), starting from carbazole, nitrogen alkylation followed by sequential reactions to add azido and ethynyl groups on the 3 and 6 positions, respectively, provided a difunctional monomer with an overall 68% yield for seven steps. Cu-catalyzed cycloaddition between the azido and alkynyl groups of the aforementioned monomer under high dilution conditions (preferably, with slow addition of monomer into the reaction) resulted in tricarb of Formula (IB) with 70% yields that can be conducted on gram scales.

(46) For the synthesis of the proof-of-principle tricarb compound (IB), synthetic Scheme (D) was used:

(47) ##STR00011##

(48) Substituents can be incorporated into the carbazole's structure of Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as illustrated for an exemplary variant embodiment of Formula (IB) made according to synthetic Scheme (E):

(49) ##STR00012##
Any of the hydrogens of the carbazole moieties can be replaced by any suitable substituents, such as halogens, alkyls, CN, carboxylates, esters, alkynes, among others.
Anion Binding Properties of Tricarbs of Formulas (I), (II) and (III)

(50) Tricarbs of Formulas (I), (II) and (III) have anion binding properties. Tricarb has an electropositive cavity (FIG. 1) lined by six carbazole and three triazole CH protons for binding anions. Tricarb has smaller ESP values (170 kJ mol.sup.1) and larger cavity (d=4.8 ) than cyanostars (S. Lee, C. H. Chen, A. H. Flood, Nat. Chem. 2013, 5, 704-710) (ESP 180 kJ mol.sup.1, d=4.5 ) and triazolophanes (Y. Li, A. H. Flood, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 2649-2652) (ESP 250 kJ mol.sup.1, d=3.7 ). A peak selectivity for anions larger than the cyanostar's preference for PF.sub.6.sup. but with lowered affinities is expected for tricarb compounds having Formulas (I), (II) and (III).

(51) Anion binding titrations with tricarb were observed with .sup.1H NMR spectroscopy (FIG. 2) and conducted in 20% v/v chloroform/methanol to dissociate tetrabutylammonium (TBA.sup.+) salts into ions. Addition of PF.sub.6.sup. shows proton shifts indicative of complexation. Inner carbazole protons (H.sup.b, H.sup.c) shift downfield consistent with weak CH . . . anion H-bonding. The strong H-bonding triazoles (H.sup.a) show up-field shifts up to 0.5 equivalents of PF.sub.6.sup. followed by continuous downfield shifts (FIG. 2A). This chemical shifting pattern is consistent with prior observations (Y. Hua, R. O. Ramabhadran, E. O. Uduehi, J. A. Karty, K. Raghavachari, A. H. Flood, Chem. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 312-321) indicating formation of a 2:1 sandwich complex with net upfield shifts (H.sup.a: stacking>H-bonding) followed by gradual transformation into 1:1 complexes (H.sup.a:H-bonding alone). The swing in the positions of the outer carbazole protons (H.sup.d, H.sup.e, H.sup.f, H.sup.g) follows the differences in stacking.

(52) The tricarb-anion stability constants were determined from UV-Vis titrations and evaluated using equilibrium restricted factor analysis (D. A. Griend, D. K. Bediako, M. J. DeVries, N. A. DeJong, L. P. Heeringa, Inorg Chem 2008, 47, 656-662) as implemented with Sivvu by employing the following equilibria:
tricarb+X.sup.tricarb.Math.X.sup.K.sub.1(1)
tricarb.Math.X.sup.+tricarbtricarb.sub.2.Math.X.sup.K.sub.2(2)
2 tricarb+X.sup.tricarb.sub.2.Math.X.sup..sub.2(3)

(53) Tricarb of Formula (IB) shows peak binding for size-matched PF.sub.6.sup. and SbF.sub.6.sup. anions (FIG. 2B). Anions of various sizes ranging from I.sup. (d4.2 ) to FeCl.sub.4.sup. (d6.3 ) were examined. The binding affinities of large anions are uncharacteristically large: log .sub.2 for SbF.sub.6.sup. (11.6), PF.sub.6.sup. (11.4) and ClO.sub.4.sup. (10). These results are surprising, in view of the long-accepted idea that the binding of large anions is weak (M. R. Rosenthal, J. Chem. Ed. 1973, 50, 331-335). As predicted from ESP values, overall stabilities of the 2:1 sandwiches (.sub.2) were about an order of magnitude weaker when compared to cyanostar with a preference for slightly larger anions. The positive cooperativity is higher for tricarb of Formula (I) than cyanostar ranging from K.sub.2/K.sub.15 for I.sup. and FeCl.sub.4.sup. and growing through 30 (SbF.sub.6.sup.) and 70 (ClO.sub.4.sup.) to be as high as 200 for ReO.sub.4.sup. and 300 for PF.sub.6.sup.. These values are commensurate with the greater planarity of tricarb of Formulas (I) and (II) over cyanostars and consistent with the dipole pairing between (pi) faces (vide infra).

(54) Table I summarizes anion-binding constants for tricarb of Formula (IB) for several tetrabutylammonium salts of exemplary anions.

(55) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Anion binding constants (logK) of tricarb determined by UV- Vis titration of tetrabutylammonium salts, 20% MeOH/CHCl.sub.3 (1- ethyl-3-methylimidazolium salt was used for FeCl.sub.4.sup.)..sup.a diam- eter () logK.sub.1 logK.sub.2 log.sub.2 K.sub.2/K.sub.1 I.sup. 4.2 4.3 0.1 5.1 0.2 9.3 0.3 6 3 ClO.sub.4.sup. 4.5 4.04 0.01 5.87 0.01 10.04 0.02 67 3 ReO.sub.4.sup. 4.54 3.8 0.1 6.2 0.1 10.0 0.2 200 100 PF.sub.6.sup. 4.84 4.46 0.01 6.94 0.01 11.40 0.02 300 60 SbF.sub.6.sup. 5.04 5.2 0.2 6.4 0.2 11.6 0.4 30 20 FeCl.sub.4.sup. 6.34 4.0 0.1 3.7 0.2 7.7 0.3 5.2 0.2 .sup.aValues were obtained from equilibrium-restricted factor analyses of UV-Vis titration data across all wavelengths as implemented with Sivvu (D. A. Vander Griend, D. K. Bediako, M. J. DeVries, N. A. Belong, L. P. Heeringa, Inorg. Chem. 2007, 47, 656-662). The errors were determined by re-optimizing the binding constants 40 times with 50% of the wavelengths randomly excluded.

(56) In preferred embodiments, the ratio of tricarb of Formulas (I), (II) or (III) to anion in the formed complexes can be any ratio. These can be selected from the following list but are not limited to this selection: 1:1 (tricarb:anion), 2:1 (tricarb:anion), 2:2 (tricarb:anion) and 3:2 (tricarb:anion). Mixtures of tricarbs of Formulas (I), (II) and (III) can be included in complexes formed with anions.

(57) Tricarbs of Formulas (I), (II) and (III) Form Thin Films

(58) The multifunctional character of the tricarbs of Formulas (I), (II) and (III) emerges in their propensity to self-associate. A variety of factors are believed to enable stacking-based self-association. For example, molecular modeling (B3LYP/6-31G*) shows tricarb of Formula (I) is an approximately flat macrocycle (FIG. 1) with a wagon-wheel of alternating dipole moments from the carbazoles and triazoles. Stacking thus enables formation of dipolar contacts (FIG. 3A) with an expected intermolecule rotation of 60.

(59) Solution phase self-association was examined using variable concentration .sup.1H NMR and UV-Vis spectra. All aromatic .sup.1H NMR peaks shift upfield (FIG. 3B) with concentration (1010.sup.6 M210.sup.3 M) consistent with p stacking (R. B. Martin, Chem. Rev. 1996, 96, 3043-3064). UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to quantify the extent of self-association (S. A. Jenekhe, L. Lu, M. M. Alam, Macromolecules 2001, 34, 7315-7324) (0.7 to 2410.sup.6 M, FIG. 3C). An isodesmic equal-K model (R. B. Martin, Chem. Rev. 1996, 96, 3043-3064) was used to quantify self-association (K.sub.E) to give K.sub.E=300,00010,000 M.sup.1 in 20% MeOH/CHCl.sub.3 (=10.4). The self-association is high relative to other macrocycles (W. Zhang, J. S. Moore, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 4416-4439) and believed to be driven by solvophobic effects and dipolar coupling. Consistent with dipolar coupling, use of pure CHCl.sub.3 with a lower polarity (=4.8), increases K.sub.E to 790,00030,000 M.sup.1 (S.-L. Lee, Z. Yuan, L. Chen, K. S. Mali, K. Mllen, S. De Feyter, J Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 4117-4120; S.-L. Lee, Z. Yuan, L. Chen, K. S. Mali, K. Mllen, S. De Feyter, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014; P. Samori, N. Severin, C. D. Simpson, K. Mllen, J. P. Rabe, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 9454-9457).

(60) The self-association was also found to exist at the liquid-solid interface, where highly ordered arrays of 2D crystalline monolayers were found to grow into multilayers by the stacking of a faces. Deposition of a 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) droplet of a solution of tricarb of Formula (IB) onto a freshly cleaved surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and subsequent STM imaging (FIG. 4) revealed two polymorphs. A low-density flower structure (FIG. 4A) with separated rosettes coexists with a densely packed honeycomb with fused rosettes (FIG. 4C) at 7510.sup.6 M, while at 15010.sup.6 M the honeycomb is favored. The corresponding packing structure of each polymorph (FIGS. 4D and 4F) was determined from high-resolution STM images and aided by modeling of lateral H-bonding (ESI).

(61) Tricarb-tricarb contacts are believed to be identical in the flower and honeycomb polymorphs. Tricarbs appear with bright contrast and make intimate contact with neighbors in the rosettes (two neighbors for the flower and three in the honeycomb). The macrocycle cores are believed to form lateral H-bonding contacts between carbazole CH donors (D) and triazole N-atom acceptors (A) (FIG. 4E, green), constituting a DDAA array (J. R. Quinn, S. C. Zimmerman, J. E. Del Bene, I. Shavitt, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 934-941; S. E. Wheeler, J. W. G. Bloom, J. Phys. Chem. A 2014, 118, 6133-6147.) between edges of each triangular tricarb.

(62) The flower polymorph is believed to form a co-crystal with the TCB solvent as evidenced from three features seen in the STM images; FIG. 4A, black box. Multiple CH . . . Cl contacts between carbazole and TCB are proposed allowing the solvent to act as a molecular mortar (M. O. Blunt, J. Adisoejoso, K. Tahara, K. Katayama, M. Van der Auweraer, Y. Tobe, S. De Feyter, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013; C. Marie, F. Silly, L. Tortech, K. Mllen, D. Fichou, ACS Nano 2010, 4, 1288-1292; A. Langner, S. L. Tait, N. Lin, R. Chandrasekar, M. Ruben, K. Kern, Chem. Commun. 2009, 2502-2504) between the bricks of tricarb rosettes (FIG. 4D, inset). Without the claimed subject matter being limited in any way, this packing model (FIG. 4E) represents the most plausible structural configuration.

(63) The packing of tricarb depends on its lateral nearest-neighbor interactions. Tricarb is prochiral and can adsorb with either R or S configuration (assigned from triazole units, FIG. 4E). There are three plausible H-bond DDAA patterns between tricarb neighbors, depending on R/S orientation and position of the triazoles. The most stable array occurs between pairs of either RR or SS (FIG. 4E) macrocycles. Other configurations, a different homochiral pairing and a heterochiral contact (RS), are less favored. Modeling suggests the homochiral contact in FIG. 4E is most stable. This orientation also provides the best pairing of triazole dipoles (red dipoles, FIG. 4E). Propagation of these contacts to all nearest neighbors suggests all rosettes and fused rosettes form homochiral conglomerates. Consistently, twinned domains of the honeycomb are observed. The unit cells of each twin are +200 (P rosettes of S enantiomers) and 20 (M rosettes of R) from the main symmetry axis of graphite. Conveniently, the apices of the triangular tricarb macrocycles inside the rosette pores point clockwise (P, FIG. 4F) or counter-clockwise (M). The flower and honeycomb polymorphs share unit cell directions suggesting both form conglomerates. Chiral information is believed to be transmitted between molecules through edge-sharing contacts that establish handedness in the rosettes and bias domains towards conglomerates.

(64) High-resolution STM images of the honeycomb clearly resolve the central cavity of the donut-shaped macrocycles (FIG. 4A). Each macrocycle bears bright features assigned to carbazoles that match with rotation angles in the packing models (FIG. 4). Low contrast features observed within rosette pores are assigned to adsorption of two C.sub.10 chains. The other four chains are not observed and believed to fold into the solution (C. Marie, F. Silly, L. Tortech, K. Mllen, D. Fichou, ACS Nano 2010, 4, 1288-1292; W. Mamdouh, H. Uji-i, J. S. Ladislaw, A. E. Dulcey, V. Percec, F. C. De Schryver, S. De Feyter, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 128, 317-325). While decyl chains of tricarb of Formula (IB) were introduced to direct surface assembly, the H-bonded seams between macrocycles clearly dominate lateral ordering.

(65) The observation of multiple-layer adsorption events as indicated by the many higher contrast molecules seen in the STM images is surprising (FIG. 5A). Interestingly, multilayers are also seen on the low-density flower polymorph (7510.sup.6 M, FIG. 4B); an observation consistent with the high self-association of tricarb. Doubling the concentration promotes the honeycomb and significantly favors co-facial stacking (FIG. 5A). Consistent with prior works showing STM imaging of bilayers, multilayers are seen with a reduced tunneling set-point (L. Piot, C. Marie, X. Feng, K. Mllen, D. Fichou, Adv. Mater. 2008, 20, 3854-3858).

(66) Five distinct levels of height contrast (FIG. 5A, colored boxes) are observed in STM analyses. Comparison of line profiles to monolayer images allow the assignment of these levels to co-facial stacking of tricarb macrocycles into tubes up to five molecules tall. The stacking maintains registry with the monolayer; no differences were observed in the unit cells between monolayer and multilayer (FIG. 5A insert, and S40). Remarkably, the central tricarb cavity is still resolved in line profiles (FIG. 5B and ESI). The apparent height difference between layers in the STM images (0.8 ) is lower than 3.4 for stacks but consistent with prior imaging (D. Skomski, J. Jo, C. D. Tempas, S. Kim, D. Lee, S. L. Tait, Langmuir 2014, 30, 10050-10056). Thus, the tallest stacks constitute tubes running 1.7 nm in height. The observed high degree of vertical ordering is rare and likely represents interfacial encoding of the planar surfaces of macrocycle.

(67) Dipole stabilization and steric contacts are believed to act as molecular alignment markers guiding inter-layer registration. Modeling favors 60 (anti-parallel dipoles) rotations between stacked macrocycles. However, 3D model show that 60 rotations produce steric clashes between lateral neighbors arising from carbazolo apices. Refinement of the packing indicates 32 allow tricarb molecules in the second layer to make the same DDAA H-bonding seen in the first layer. These same DDAA contacts require the configuration of the tricarb to be flipped e.g., S to R. Consequently, molecular and rosette chirality is believed to alternate between layers. The 32 rotation is not observed by STM imaging, rather it emerges as a likely 3D packing arrangement after model refinement. The final structural model (FIG. 4C) shows the S macrocycles arranged into P rosettes in one layer alternating with R macrocycles in M rosettes in the next layer to produce ABAB ordering in the third dimension. Thus, the vertical alignment of macrocycles is believed to be directed by the steric restraints placed on dipole alignments, and the optimization of lateral edge-sharing contacts to produce a inversion of molecular and rosette chirality between layers.

(68) The multilayer structure does not grow indefinitely. At 150 M, the stacking distribution is: single molecules (32%), dimers (40%), trimers (24%) and four, five or more molecules (2%). Furthermore, the multilayer does not appear to follow layer-by-layer growth; rather the heights frequently differ between neighboring sites (S. Lee, C. H. Chen, A. H. Flood, Nat. Chem. 2013, 5, 704-710). The maximum number of molecules around a single rosette was observed to be 19. This number is consistent with a model of the rosettes (inset, FIG. 5C) showing that the over-filling of rosette pores by decyl chains may act to limit vertical growth.

(69) Thus, another aspect of the present invention includes tricarbazole triazolophane (tricarb) of Formulas (I), (II) and (III) having the ability to bind an anion and methods directed to anion binding and removal from mixtures. Preferred anions include at anions selected from a group consisting of I.sup., ClO.sub.4.sup., ReO.sub.4.sup., PF.sub.6.sup., SbF.sub.6.sup., FeCl.sub.4.sup., mesylate (CH.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.), triflate (CF.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.), arsenate (AsO.sub.4.sup.3), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF.sub.6.sup.), tetrachloroaluminate (AlCl.sub.4.sup.), phosphate (PO.sub.4.sup.3), hydrogenophosphate (HPO.sub.4.sup.2), dihydrogenophosphate (H.sub.2PO.sub.4.sup.), sulfate (SO.sub.4.sup.2), hydrogen sulfate (HSO.sub.4.sup.), tetracyanoborate (B(CN).sub.4.sup.), halides (Cl.sup., Br.sup., I.sup.), cyanide, perbromate (BrO.sub.4.sup.), periodate (IO.sub.4.sup.), fluoride (F.sup.), bifluoride (HF.sub.2.sup.), pertechnetate (TcO.sub.4.sup.), monosubstituted phosphate esters (RPO.sub.4.sup.2), disubstituted phosphate esters (R.sub.2PO.sub.4.sup.), organosulfonates (RSO.sub.3.sup.), thiocyanate, (SCN.sup.), azide (N.sub.3.sup.), triiodide (I.sub.3.sup.), carbonate (CO.sub.3.sup.2), monohydrogen carbonate (HCO.sub.3.sup.), iron tetrachlorate (FeCl.sub.4.sup.), gold dicyanate (Au(CN).sub.2.sup.), acetate (CH.sub.3CO.sub.2.sup.), uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6.sup.), sulfide (S.sup.2), and platinum hexachlorate (PtCl.sub.6.sup.2), among others, or a combination thereof, including mono- and poly-protonated forms (e.g., AsO.sub.4.sup.3, HAsO.sub.4.sup.2 and H.sub.2AsO.sub.4.sup.). In addition to the anions listed above, anions selected from tables in the following paper will also be viable: Thermochemical Radii of Complex Ions J. Chem. Ed. 1999, 76, 1570-1573, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferred anions from this reference that would bind to a composition of tricarbs selected from Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof, include those having a thermochemical radius between 0.16 and 0.33 . In addition to these anions, the following polysulfides anions are highly preferred: S.sub.2.sup.2, S.sub.4.sup.2, S.sub.6.sup.2, S.sub.8.sup.2 and S.sub.n.sup.2, where n is an even number. The anions that can serve as suitable candidates for binding the composition of tricarbs selected from Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof, include any isolated or combination of anions from the above disclosed listing.

(70) In this regard, a method of binding an anion is contemplated. The method includes a step of contacting the anion with a tricarbazole triazolophane (tricarb) of Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof, as described herein. Likewise, a method of removing an anion from a mixture is also contemplated. The method includes two steps. The first step includes contacting the mixture with a tricarbazole triazolophane (tricarb) of Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof, as described herein to form a complex of an anion and tricarb of Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof. The second step includes separating the complex from the mixture.

(71) Contact between the anion and the tricarb selected from Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof, can be made in any state of matter: solid, liquid or gas. The liquid could be any solution bearing the anion and any solution bearing the tricarb. The solutions could be made from any known liquid, such as, methanol and dichloromethane mixture (FIG. 3B), a methanol-chloroform mixture (FIG. 3C), chloroform (FIG. 3C), trichlorobenzene (FIGS. 4A and 6A). All other liquids in which the anion is soluble, including, water, glycols, alcohols, ketones, sulfoxides, ethers, halogenated liquids, alkanes, carboxylic acids, and amides.

(72) Anion Binding to Thin Films Comprising Tricarbs of Formula (I), (II) and (III)

(73) The ability of the cavity of the tricarb macrocycle to bind anions at the liquid-solid interface was also investigated. Remarkably, in-situ addition of only 0.005 eq of iodide relative to the total number of molecules in solution showed bright features located in the central cavity of each tricarb macrocycle (FIG. 6A). Not every site is occupied, thus excluding the possibility of inverted contrast from changes in the density of electronic states of the tip. Occasionally, in-and-out dynamics of anions (FIG. 6A, purple arrows) can be observed, a result we have seen previously (B. E. Hirsch, K. P. McDonald, B. Qiao, A. H. Flood, S. L. Tait, ACS Nano 2014, 8, 10858-10869; B. E. Hirsch, S. Lee, B. Qiao, C.-H. Chen, K. P. McDonald, S. L. Tait, A. H. Flood, Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 9827-9830; J. W. Colson, A. R. Woll, A. Mukherjee, M. P. Levendorf, E. L. Spitler, V. B. Shields, M. G. Spencer, J. Park, W. R. Dichtel, Science 2011, 332, 228-231). Similarly, the self-association of the tricarb molecules shows dynamic behavior.

(74) Interestingly, the few tricarb sites that are assigned to be unoccupied by anions (FIG. 6A, green arrows) show a relative height of 0.5-1 consistent with tricarb dimers. Only one of the monolayer sites (orange, FIG. 6B) is missing an anion. These observations indicate anion binding promotes loss of the multilayers. This observation is consistent with the solution phase experiments (vide supra). Consequently, the anion-binding character encoded into the inner space of the macrocycles provides a way to modulate the assembly of tricarb macrocycles. The tricarb macrocycle of Formula (IB) can be readily oxidized at E.sub.1/2=0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl (FIG. 7). This oxidation potential is consistent with the redox chemistry of the parent carbazole.

(75) The thickness of the multilayer comprising tricarbs of Formulas (I), (II) and (III), or a combination thereof, can be controlled by a number of physical and chemical parameters. At lower concentrations we see monolayers, e.g., at 7510.sup.6 M as shown in FIG. 4C. Increasing the concentration produces multilayers, e.g., at 15010.sup.6 M (FIG. 5). We showed that the addition of anions modulated the assembly of tricarb to make the layers thinner, e.g., as in FIG. 6A. In addition, the substituent can be changed to alter the stacking. For example, using a longer C.sub.18H.sub.37 alkyl chain in tricarb of Formula (IC) in place of the tricarb with a shorter C.sub.10H.sub.21 chain in tricarb of Formula (IB) leads to production of monolayers (FIG. 8) even when examined at a slightly higher concentration of 20010.sup.6 M.

EXAMPLES

(76) The invention will be more fully understood upon consideration of the following non-limiting examples, which are offered for purposes of illustration, not limitation.

Example 1. General Synthetic Methods

(77) All reagents were obtained from commercial suppliers and used as received unless otherwise noted. 3-Amino-9-decyl-6-iodocarbazole (compound 5 of Scheme (C)) was prepared from carbazole using synthetic procedures modified from a reported preparation of 3-amino-9-hexadecyl-6-iodocarbazole (K. D. Okochi, G. S. Han, I. M. Aldridge, Y. Liu, W. Zhang, Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 4296-4299). Column chromatography was performed on silica gel (160-200 mesh, Sorbtech), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on pre-coated silica gel plates (0.25 mm thick, Silicycle) and observed under UV light. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were recorded on Varian Inova (400 MHz and 500 MHz) and Varian VXR (400 MHz) at room temperature (298 K). High resolution electrospray ionization (ESI) and chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry was performed on a Thermo Electron Corporation MAT 95XP-Trap mass spectrometer.

Example 2. Synthesis of a Tricarb of Formula (IB)

(78) ##STR00013##

(79) Synthesis of 9-Decylcarbazole (compound 2 of Scheme (E)): A mixture of carbazole (8.1 g, 48.4 mmol), 1-bromodecane (12.9 g, 58.1 mmol) and KOH (4.1 g, 73 mmol) in acetone (200 mL) was refluxed overnight under nitrogen atmosphere. After removing the solvent in vacuo, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc and washed with water. Column chromatography on silica gel using hexanes resulted in a colorless viscous oil product (14.8 g, 48.1 mmol, 99% yield). The .sup.1H NMR spectrum was identical to previous reports (A. D. Finke, D. E. Gross, A. Han, J. S. Moore, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 14063-14070).

(80) Synthesis of 9-Decyl-3-nitrocarbazole (compound 3 of Scheme (E)): To a solution of 9-decylcarbazole (10 g, 32.5 mmol) in 1,2,-dichloroethane (100 mL) was drop-wise added nitric acid (16 M, 2.3 mL, 36 mmol) under ice bath. The reaction was heated to 60 C. and stirred for 3 h. After cooling to room temperature, water was added and the mixture was extracted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The organic layer was dried with MgSO.sub.4, filtered and the solvents were removed in vacuo. The crude solid mixture was recrystallized with hexanes to result in an orange solid product (10.5 g, 29.8 mmol, 92% yield). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =9.03 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.39 (dd, J=9.0, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.35 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.89 (m, 2H), 1.39-1.23 (m, 14H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H). .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =143.4, 141.6, 140.5, 127.3, 122.8, 122.5, 121.5, 120.9, 120.7, 117.2, 109.6, 108.2, 43.5, 31.8, 29.43, 29.40, 29.3, 29.2, 28.9, 27.2, 22.6, 14.1. HRMS-CI: C.sub.22H.sub.28N.sub.2O.sub.2 [M+H].sup.+, Calculated: 353.2224. Found: 353.2215.

(81) Synthesis of 9-Decyl-3-iodo-6-nitrocarbazole (compound 4 of Scheme (E)): To a solution of 9-decyl-3-nitrocarbazole (9.1 g, 25.8 mmol) in CHCl.sub.3 (100 mL) was added ICl (5 g, 31 mmol) stirred at room temperature for 1 h then refluxed for 30 min. The reaction progress was checked using .sup.1H NMR. The reaction was quenched by adding an aqueous solution of sodium bisulfite and stirred for 20 min. The mixture was extracted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, dried with MgSO.sub.4, filtered then concentrated in vacuo to result in an orange solid product (12.1 g, 25.3 mmol, 98% yield). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =8.97 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.48 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.40 (dd, J=9.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (dd, J=8.6, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.87 (m, 2H), 1.33-1.23 (m, 14H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H). .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3)=143.2, 140.8, 140.7, 135.6, 129.7, 125.1, 122.1, 121.1, 117.3, 111.6, 108.5, 83.3, 43.7, 31.8, 29.42, 29.38, 29.3, 29.2, 28.8, 27.1, 22.6, 14.1. HRMS-CI: C.sub.22H.sub.27IN.sub.2O.sub.2[M+H].sup.+, Calculated: 479.1190. Found: 479.1188.

(82) Synthesis of 3-Azido-9-decyl-6-iodocarbazole (compound 6 of Scheme (E)): A mixture of 9-decyl-3-iodo-6-nitrocarbazole (11.9 g, 24.9 mmol) and SnCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2O (28 g, 124.4 mmol) in EtOAc (100 mL) and EtOH (100 mL) was refluxed overnight. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture was poured into an aqueous solution of Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 and stirred for 2 h, then extracted with EtOAc. The organic phased was dried with MgSO.sub.4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 3-amino-9-decyl-6-iodocarbazole (compound 5) as a light brown solid. This intermediate was dissolved in THF (100 mL) and H.sub.2SO.sub.4 (15 mL) in water (80 mL) was added under ice bath and stirred for 30 min. A solution of NaNO.sub.2 (1.9 g, 27.4 mmol) in water (5 mL) was drop-wise added and the mixture was stirred for 1 h. A solution of NaN.sub.3 (1.94 g, 29.9 mmol) in water (5 mL) was drop-wise added and stirred for 1 h at 0 C. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 1 h. After removing THF under vacuo, the mixture was extracted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The organic phase was dried with MgSO.sub.4 and concentrated in vacuo to give a light brown solid product (10.8 g, 22.8 mmol, 92% yield). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =8.36 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (dd, J=8.6, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J=9.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.8 (m, 2H), 1.30-1.22 (m, 14H), 0.87 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 3H). .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =140.0, 137.8, 134.3, 131.5, 129.3, 124.4, 122.3, 117.9, 110.9, 110.3, 109.8, 81.2, 43.3, 31.8, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 28.8, 27.2, 22.6, 14.1. HRMS-CI: C.sub.22H.sub.27IN.sub.4 [M].sup.+, Calculated: 474.1275. Found: 474.1278.

(83) Synthesis of 3-Azido-9-decyl-6-ethynylcarbazole (compound 7 of Scheme (E)): To a degassed solution of 3-azido-9-decyl-6-iodocarbazole (2.85 g, 6.01 mmol) and diisopropylamine (4.2 mL, 30 mmol) in THF (80 mL) was added PdCl.sub.2(PPh.sub.3).sub.2 (84 mg, 0.12 mmol), CuI (60 mg, 0.3 mmol) and trimethylsilylacetylene (1.3 mL, 9 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under argon atmosphere for 40 min and quenched with an aqueous solution of NH.sub.4Cl. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc and the organic phase was dried with MgSO.sub.4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting viscous oil mixture was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel using hexanes to hexanes:EtOAc=97:3. The resulting light brown intermediate (3-azido-9-decyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)ethynylcarbazole) was dissolve in THF (30 mL) and MeOH (30 mL) and added a saturated solution of K.sub.2CO.sub.3 in MeOH (3 mL) and stirred overnight. The reaction was quenched with NH.sub.4Cl solution and extracted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, dried with MgSO.sub.4, filtered then concentrated in vacuo to give a light brown solid product (1.8 g, 4.8 mmol, 80% yield). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =8.21 (s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J=8.6, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 4.26 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (s, 1H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 1.32-1.23 (m, 14H), 0.87 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 3H). .sup.13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) =140.7, 138.2, 131.6, 130.1, 124.8, 123.2, 121.8, 117.7, 112.2, 110.3, 109.9, 108.8, 84.7, 75.3, 43.3, 31.8, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 28.9, 27.2, 22.6, 14.1. HRMS-CI: C.sub.24H.sub.28N.sub.4 [M+H].sup.+, Calculated: 373.2387. Found: 373.2379.

(84) Synthesis of tridecyl-tricarbazolo-triazolophane (Formula (IB); TC of Scheme (E)): To a degassed solution of CuSO.sub.4 (110 mg, 0.45 mmol), sodium ascorbate (180 mg, 0.9 mmol) and tris[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]amine (TBTA, 240 mg, 0.45 mmol) in THF (100 mL), EtOH (50 mL) and water (50 mL) was drop-wise added slowly for 6 h a solution of 3-azido-9-decyl-6-ethynylcarbazole (1.66 g, 4.46 mmol) in THF (40 mL) and EtOH (20 mL) at 70 C. The reaction was stirred for additional 2 h then cooled to room temperature. Organic solvents (THF and EtOH) were removed in vacuo. The mixture was extracted with CHCl.sub.3 and the organic phased was washed with NH.sub.4Cl solution, dried with MgSO.sub.4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting solid mixture was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel using a eluent gradient from CHCl.sub.3 to CHCl.sub.3:EtOAc=95:5. The product was obtained as a light yellow solid (1.17 g, 1.05 mmol, 70% yield). .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, 2 mM, CDCl.sub.3) =8.75 (s, 3H), 8.28 (s, 3H), 8.20 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 3H), 8.16 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 3H), 8.12 (s, 3H), 7.22 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 6H), 4.14 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.81 (m, 6H), 1.34-1.25 (m, 42H), 0.86 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 9H). .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, 10 mM, CDCl.sub.3) =149.7, 140.8, 139.9, 129.2, 124.0, 122.5, 122.4, 121.9, 118.3, 117.7, 117.5, 110.6, 109.4, 109.2, 43.4, 31.8, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 27.3, 22.7, 14.1 (two carbon peaks of the decyl-groups are overlapping with others in the 29.5-29.2 ppm region). HRMS-ESI: C.sub.72H.sub.84N.sub.12 [M+PF.sub.6].sup., Calculated: 1261.6584. Found: 1261.6559.

(85) All of the patents, patent applications, patent application publications and other publications recited herein are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety.

(86) The present invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. However, the invention has been presented by way of illustration and is not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, one of skill in the art will realize that the invention is intended to encompass all modifications and alternative arrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.