Cooperative outer-surface recognition extends host–guest chemistry for high-capacity molecular separation beyond cavity inclusion
Abstract
The separation of azeotropic and structurally similar mixtures remains a fundamental challenge for conventional porous materials. Supramolecular host–guest chemistry provides exceptional recognition precision but is inherently limited by discrete cavity-confined binding. Here, we establish a strategy that extends host–guest recognition beyond cavity inclusion by activating cooperative interactions at the outer surfaces of macrocyclic hosts. Using cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) as a model system, we demonstrate that exposed outer surfaces can serve as amplifying recognition interfaces, where initial guest binding triggers subsequent molecular recruitment through cooperative aromatic interactions. Immobilization of Q[7] on magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles suppresses aggregation and enables synergistic cavity- and outer-surface-mediated recognition. The resulting material achieves highly selective and efficient separation of benzene (Ben) from n -heptane ( n -Hep) with enhanced adsorption capacity and recyclability. This work suggests outer-surface-mediated cooperative recognition as a general paradigm for designing supramolecular separation materials beyond cavity-centric host–guest chemistry.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026cooperative,
title = {{Cooperative outer-surface recognition extends host–guest chemistry for high-capacity molecular separation beyond cavity inclusion}},
author = {Yafang Zhang and Tao Hou and Lixia Chen and Zhu Tao and Xi-Sheng Wang and Qing Li},
journal = {Nature Communications},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-78531-8},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78531-8},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cooperative outer-surface recognition extends host–guest chemistry for high-capacity molecular separation beyond cavity inclusion
AU - Yafang Zhang
AU - Tao Hou
AU - Lixia Chen
AU - Zhu Tao
AU - Xi-Sheng Wang
AU - Qing Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Nature Communications
DO - 10.1038/s41467-026-78531-8
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78531-8
AB - The separation of azeotropic and structurally similar mixtures remains a fundamental challenge for conventional porous materials. Supramolecular host–guest chemistry provides exceptional recognition precision but is inherently limited by discrete cavity-confined binding. Here, we establish a strategy that extends host–guest recognition beyond cavity inclusion by activating cooperative interactions at the outer surfaces of macrocyclic hosts. Using cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) as a model system, we demonstrate that exposed outer surfaces can serve as amplifying recognition interfaces, where initial guest binding triggers subsequent molecular recruitment through cooperative aromatic interactions. Immobilization of Q[7] on magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles suppresses aggregation and enables synergistic cavity- and outer-surface-mediated recognition. The resulting material achieves highly selective and efficient separation of benzene (Ben) from n -heptane ( n -Hep) with enhanced adsorption capacity and recyclability. This work suggests outer-surface-mediated cooperative recognition as a general paradigm for designing supramolecular separation materials beyond cavity-centric host–guest chemistry.
SN - 2041-1723
ER -