Controlled gating of a hemicarcerand by disulfide-dithiol interchange.

Introduction of a disulfide unit into the linker of a hemicarcerand creates a new way to control the entry and exit of guests. When the disulfide bond is reduced to two thiols, the "gate" opens, and guests can freely enter the hydrophobic core of the hemicarcerand. However, when the gate is closed, the host must be heated in the presense of excess guest in order for complexation to result. Several novel hemicarceplexes of this type have been synthesized. Molecular mechanics calculations are employed to explore the differing stabilities and ease of complexation of these host-guest complexes.