Pi-stacking enables the binding of these compounds to corannulene-based molecular tweezers called “catchers” of them. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name these compounds that can form guest-host complexes with inert gases represented with an @ symbol in endohedral notation.
ANSWER: fullerenes [or buckminsterfullerenes; accept buckyballs or buckycatchers; prompt on carbon nanotubes]
[10h] Fullerenes can be used to create or “decorate” molecules with this structure consisting of two mechanically interlocked macrocycles. Molecules with this architecture can be assembled with a ring-closing “statistical approach” or a “template-directed” approach that relies on metal ion coordination.
ANSWER: catenanes
[10e] Catenanes can be used as molecular switches that change color after undergoing one of these reactions that involves the transfer of electrons.
ANSWER: redox reactions [accept reductions or oxidations]
<Munir Siddiqui, Chemistry>