Expanded triazolophanes: a topological analysis of vesicular assembly

Triazolophanes with larger ring sizes such as 40- and 42- were designed and synthesized. Ultramicroscopic studies on a variety of expanded triazolophanes and larger acyclic systems revealed vesicular self-assembly. The role of molecular topology on vesicular assembly was systematically investigated by studying a series of molecules with increasing curvature. We describe a unique topology-based approach for fabrication of vesicles. Studies on various designer cyclic and acyclic systems revealed that adequate curvature is essential for vesicle formation.