Kinetics and Mechanism of Cation‐Induced Guest Release from Cucurbit[7]uril

Abstract: The release of two organic guests from cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) was selectively monitored by the stoppedflow method in aqueous solutions of inorganic salts to reveal the mechanistic picture in detail. Two contrasting mechanisms were identified: The symmetric dicationic 2,7- dimethyldiazapyrenium shows a cation-independent complex dissociation mechanism coupled to deceleration of the ingression in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth cations (M$^{+n}$) due to competitive formation of CB7–M$^{+n}$ complexes. A much richer, unprecedented kinetic behaviour was observed for the ingression and egression of the monocationic and non-symmetric berberine (B$^{+}$). The formation of ternary complex B+–CB7–M$^{+n}$ was unambiguously revealed. A difference of more than two orders of magnitude was found in the equilibrium constants of Mn+ binding to B$^{+}$–CB7 inclusion complex. Large cations, such as K$^{+}$ and Ba$^{2+}$, also promoted B$^{+}$ expulsion from the ternary complex in a bimolecular process. This study reveals a previously hidden mechanistic picture and motivates systematic kinetic investigations of other host–guest systems.