Metal organic framework (MOF) has emerged as a new class of porous, thermally stable material which has attracted great attention due to their wide applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis etc. Self-assembly is the operative mechanism of MOFs syntheses; however, the control of MOF self-assembly is still a challenge in the construction of predetermined, structurally well-defined MOFs. The goal of the research is to arrive at multidimensional, highly porous and functional MOFs via hierarchical assembly of smaller molecular building blocks and, at the same time, to examine the possibilities for different interesting molecular textures. This goal is to be accomplished by the knowledge of ligand coordination mode, and geometry as well as logical choices of ligands and metals from which the MOFs are to be constructed from. Preparations of novel frameworks as well as other interesting molecular architectures are highlighted with their structures characterized.

Metal organic framework (MOF) has emerged as a new class of porous, thermally stable material which has attracted great attention due to their wide applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis etc. Self-assembly is the operative mechanism of MOFs syntheses; however, the control of MOF self-assembly is still a challenge in the construction of predetermined, structurally well-defined MOFs. The goal of the research is to arrive at multidimensional, highly porous and functional MOFs via hierarchical assembly of smaller molecular building blocks and, at the same time, to examine the possibilities for different interesting molecular textures. This goal is to be accomplished by the knowledge of ligand coordination mode, and geometry as well as logical choices of ligands and metals from which the MOFs are to be constructed from. Preparations of novel frameworks as well as other interesting molecular architectures are highlighted with their structures characterized.

La presente tesis consta de dos vertientes interrelacionadas. La primera se centra en intentar cuantificar experimentalmente la contribución energética en disolución de la interacción anión-, mediante el uso de calix[4]pirroles aril substituidos en las posiciones meso- como moléculas modelo. El trabajo realizado muestra que la interacción anión- es repulsiva para anillos con valores de ESP negativos y a medida que el efecto electrón atrayente de los sustituyentes aumenta la interacción se vuelve menos repulsiva, hasta que, cuando el valor de ESP en el centro del anillo aromático es positivo la interacción se vuelve ligeramente atractiva. La segunda en el uso de estos receptores simples para obtener arquitecturas supramoleculares más complejas, y su autoensamblaje en capsulas. Los estudios muestran que calix[4]pirroles sustituidos con grupos urea en sus anillos aromáticos se autoemsamblan en capsulas diméricas en presencia de un huesped adecuado como los N-óxidos de alquil aminas y piridinas en disolventes apolares. / This thesis consists of two interrelated aspects. The first one pretends to quantify experimentally the energetic contribution in solution of the anion- interaction, using aryl extended calix[4] pyrroles substituted in their meso- positions as a model system. The work performed shows that the anion- interaction is repulsive for aromatic rings with negative ESP values, as the electron withdrawing character of the substituent increases the interaction becomes less repulsive, until eventually, when the ESP value in the center of the aromatic ring is positive the interaction turns into slightly attractive.The second one is based on the use of these simple receptors as scaffolds to obtain complex structures and their self-assembly into capsules. The studies performed show that aryl extended calix[4]pyrroles substituted with urea functions on their upper rim self-assemble into dimeric capsules in the presence of a suitable guest like the N-oxides of alkyl amines and pyridines in non-polar solvents.

This thesis describes the host-guest chemistry between cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and various series of guests, including neutral polar organic solvents, bis(pyridinium)alkane dications, local anaesthetics, acetylcholine analogues, as well as succinylcholine and decamethonium analogues, in aqueous solution. A focus of this thesis is the effects of varying the chemical structures within different series of guests upon the nature of the host-guest chemistry, such as the relative position and orientation of the guest relative to the CB[7] cavity, and the strengths of the binding affinities. The binding affinities of polar organic solvents with CB[7] depend upon the hydrophobic effect and dipole-quadrupole interactions. The polar guests align themselves so that their dipole moment is perpendicular to the quadrupole moment of CB[7]. The binding strengths of acetone and acetophenone to CB[7] decrease in the presence of alkali metals. Discrete 1:1 and 2:1 host-guest complexes are formed between CB[7] and a series of bis(pyridinium)alkane guests. In most cases the CB[7] initially occupies the aliphatic linker when the 1:1 complex is formed and migrates to the terminal regions as the second CB[7] is added. When bulky, hydrophobic tert-butyl substituents are present, however, the CB[7] occupies the terminal pyridinium region and not the central linker. Supramolecular complexes between CB[7] and a series of local anaesthetics have binding affinities 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than reported values with beta-cyclodextrin. The first pKa values of the guests increase by 0.5-1.9 units upon complexation. The binding positions of the guests within CB[7] differ in neutral and acidic media, with the systems thus behaving as pH-activated switches. With supramolecular complexes between CB[7] and various cationic cholines and their phosphonium analogues, the CB[7] cavity is occupied by the charge-diffuse cationic region. The binding affinities and positions vary depending on the nature of the onium group as well as the substituents within the guest molecule. Host-guest complexes between CB[7] and dicationic acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have very strong 1:1 binding affinities, with 2:1 binding being significantly weaker. These binding affinities are related to the nature of the cationic onium groups, and the length and hydrophobicity of the connecting linkers. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2010-01-28 12:27:37.833

A series of five linked β-cyclodextrin (βCD) dimers N,N-bis(6 [superscript]A-deoxy-6[superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-succinamide, 66βCD₂su, N-((2[superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A-deoxy-3 [superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-N’-(6 [superscript]A-deoxy-6 [superscript]A -β-cyclodextrinyl)-urea, 36βCD₂su, N,N-bis((2 [superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A -deoxy-3 [superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-succinamide, 33βCD₂su, N,N-bis(6[superscript]A-deoxy-6[superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-urea, 66βCD₂ur, and N-((2 [superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A-deoxy-3 [superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-N’-(6 [superscript]A -deoxy-6 [superscript]A -β-cyclodextrinyl)urea, 36βCD₂ur, has been prepared. The complexation of 6-(4’-(toluidinyl)naphthalene-2-sulphonate, TNS⁻, by βCD and the five linked βCD dimers was characterized by UV, fluorescence and 2D ¹H ROESY NMR spectroscopy. In aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.0, I = 0.10 mol dm⁻³ and 298.2 K, TNS⁻ forms host-guest complexes with βCD of stoichiometry βCD.TNS⁻ (K₁ = 3020 and 3320 dm³ mol⁻¹) and βCD₂.TNS⁻ (K₂ = 57 and 11 dm³ mol⁻¹) where the first and second values were determined in UV and fluorescence studies, respectively. For 66βCD₂su, 36βCD₂su, 33βCD₂su, 66βCD₂ur and 36βCD₂ur, the analogous K₁ = 16100, 10900, 10700, 55100 and 18300 dm³ mol⁻¹ and K₁ = 12500, 8700, 9600, 38000 and 9800 dm³ mol⁻¹(fluorimetric studies), respectively. ¹H 2D ROESY NMR studies provided evidence for variation of the mode of complexation of the TNS⁻ guest as the βCD host is changed. The factors affecting complexation are discussed. UV and ¹H NMR studies showed that 6-(4’-(t-butyl)-phenyl)naphthalene-2-sulphonate, BNS⁻, and its dimer, (BNS⁻)₂, form host-guest complexes with βCD of the stoichiometry βCD.BNS⁻ (K₁ = 5.54 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ ) and βCD.BNS₂ ²⁻(K₂ = 3.07 × 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ ) where the complexation constant K₁ = [βCD.BNS⁻]/([βCD][BNS⁻] and K₂ = [βCD.(BNS⁻)₂]/([βCD.BNS⁻][BNS⁻]) in aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.0, I = 0.10 mol dm⁻³ and 298.2 K. For 66βCD₂su, 36βCD₂su, 33βCD₂su, 66βCD₂ur and 36βCD₂ur the analogous K₁ = 125, 74, 10.2, 364 and 16.1 (× 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ ) and K₂ = 25.7, 2.30, 2.57, 17.6 and 17.2 (× 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ ), respectively. For the dimerisation of BNS⁻ K[subscript]d = 2.63 × 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ . Fluorimetric studies showed that the complexation stability for βCD.BNS⁻, forms βCD. BNS⁻, 66βCD₂su.BNS⁻, 36βCD₂su.BNS⁻, 33βCD₂su. BNS⁻, 66βCD₂ur.BNS⁻ and 36βCD₂ur. BNS⁻ characterized by K₁ = 4.67, 330, 101, 11.0, 435 and 29.6 (× 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ ), respectively. The factors affecting the variations in these data are discussed. The enantioselectivity of substituted βCDs 6 [superscript]A -[bis (carboxylatomethyl)amino]-6 [superscript]A -deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (6βCDidaH₂) and (2 [superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A -[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]-3[superscript]A -deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (3βCDidaH₂) and 6 [superscript]A -[tris(carboxylatomethyl)(2- aminoethyl)amino]-6 [superscript]A -deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (6βCDedtaH₃) and their Eu³ ⁺ complexes in forming host-guest complexes with six enantiomeric guests in D₂O was studied by 1D and 2D ¹H NMR (600 MHz) spectroscopy. The guests are D/L-tryptophanate (Trp⁻), 4-hydroxyl-D/L-phenylglycinate (4HOPhg⁻), D/L-histidinate (His⁻), D/L-pheniramine (Phm), D/L-phenylglycinate (Phg⁻) and (D/L)-β-phenylserinate (βPhs⁻). Enantioselective host-guest complexation was observed between the [Eu(6βCDida)]⁺ , [Eu(3βCDida)]⁺ and [Eu(6βCDedta)] complexes and Trp⁻, [Eu(6βCDida)]⁺ and [Eu(3βCDida)]⁺ and 4HOPhg⁻, and βCD, 6βCDida²⁻, 3βCDida²⁻, 6βCDedta³⁻ and the Eu³⁺complexes of the three substituted βCDs and Phm. The His⁻, Phg⁻ and βPhs⁻ enantiomers showed no evidence for selective host-guest complexation. The preparation of 3βCDidaH₂ and 6βCDedtaH₃ and the determination of their pK[subscript]a s are also reported. In collaboration with the research group of Prof. Matthew A. Tarr, (University of New Orleans, USA), the 6βCDida²⁻ and the 6βCDedta³⁻ has been utilized to improve Fenton oxidation of aromatic pollutants. To further support to this work, the binary complexation of Fe² ⁺ by 6βCDida²⁻ has been studied by potentiometric titrations. A series of six modified poly(acrylic acid)s 3% substituted with either βCD or the adamantyl moiety with different length of substituent chain was synthesised. To advance the understanding and control of aqueous supramolecular assembly, the host-guest interactions between the βCD substituted poly(acrylic acid)s and adamantane-1-carboxylic; adamantyl substituted poly(acrylic acid)s with βCD and linked βCD dimers; and between both βCD and adamantyl substituted poly(acrylic acid)s have been studied. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1311237 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Chemistry and Physics, 2008

A series of five linked β-cyclodextrin (βCD) dimers N,N-bis(6 [superscript]A-deoxy-6[superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-succinamide, 66βCD₂su, N-((2[superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A-deoxy-3 [superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-N’-(6 [superscript]A-deoxy-6 [superscript]A -β-cyclodextrinyl)-urea, 36βCD₂su, N,N-bis((2 [superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A -deoxy-3 [superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-succinamide, 33βCD₂su, N,N-bis(6[superscript]A-deoxy-6[superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-urea, 66βCD₂ur, and N-((2 [superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A-deoxy-3 [superscript]A-β-cyclodextrinyl)-N’-(6 [superscript]A -deoxy-6 [superscript]A -β-cyclodextrinyl)urea, 36βCD₂ur, has been prepared. The complexation of 6-(4’-(toluidinyl)naphthalene-2-sulphonate, TNS⁻, by βCD and the five linked βCD dimers was characterized by UV, fluorescence and 2D ¹H ROESY NMR spectroscopy. In aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.0, I = 0.10 mol dm⁻³ and 298.2 K, TNS⁻ forms host-guest complexes with βCD of stoichiometry βCD.TNS⁻ (K₁ = 3020 and 3320 dm³ mol⁻¹) and βCD₂.TNS⁻ (K₂ = 57 and 11 dm³ mol⁻¹) where the first and second values were determined in UV and fluorescence studies, respectively. For 66βCD₂su, 36βCD₂su, 33βCD₂su, 66βCD₂ur and 36βCD₂ur, the analogous K₁ = 16100, 10900, 10700, 55100 and 18300 dm³ mol⁻¹ and K₁ = 12500, 8700, 9600, 38000 and 9800 dm³ mol⁻¹(fluorimetric studies), respectively. ¹H 2D ROESY NMR studies provided evidence for variation of the mode of complexation of the TNS⁻ guest as the βCD host is changed. The factors affecting complexation are discussed. UV and ¹H NMR studies showed that 6-(4’-(t-butyl)-phenyl)naphthalene-2-sulphonate, BNS⁻, and its dimer, (BNS⁻)₂, form host-guest complexes with βCD of the stoichiometry βCD.BNS⁻ (K₁ = 5.54 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ ) and βCD.BNS₂ ²⁻(K₂ = 3.07 × 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ ) where the complexation constant K₁ = [βCD.BNS⁻]/([βCD][BNS⁻] and K₂ = [βCD.(BNS⁻)₂]/([βCD.BNS⁻][BNS⁻]) in aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.0, I = 0.10 mol dm⁻³ and 298.2 K. For 66βCD₂su, 36βCD₂su, 33βCD₂su, 66βCD₂ur and 36βCD₂ur the analogous K₁ = 125, 74, 10.2, 364 and 16.1 (× 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ ) and K₂ = 25.7, 2.30, 2.57, 17.6 and 17.2 (× 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ ), respectively. For the dimerisation of BNS⁻ K[subscript]d = 2.63 × 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ . Fluorimetric studies showed that the complexation stability for βCD.BNS⁻, forms βCD. BNS⁻, 66βCD₂su.BNS⁻, 36βCD₂su.BNS⁻, 33βCD₂su. BNS⁻, 66βCD₂ur.BNS⁻ and 36βCD₂ur. BNS⁻ characterized by K₁ = 4.67, 330, 101, 11.0, 435 and 29.6 (× 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ ), respectively. The factors affecting the variations in these data are discussed. The enantioselectivity of substituted βCDs 6 [superscript]A -[bis (carboxylatomethyl)amino]-6 [superscript]A -deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (6βCDidaH₂) and (2 [superscript]A S,3 [superscript]A S)-3 [superscript]A -[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]-3[superscript]A -deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (3βCDidaH₂) and 6 [superscript]A -[tris(carboxylatomethyl)(2- aminoethyl)amino]-6 [superscript]A -deoxy-β-cyclodextrin (6βCDedtaH₃) and their Eu³ ⁺ complexes in forming host-guest complexes with six enantiomeric guests in D₂O was studied by 1D and 2D ¹H NMR (600 MHz) spectroscopy. The guests are D/L-tryptophanate (Trp⁻), 4-hydroxyl-D/L-phenylglycinate (4HOPhg⁻), D/L-histidinate (His⁻), D/L-pheniramine (Phm), D/L-phenylglycinate (Phg⁻) and (D/L)-β-phenylserinate (βPhs⁻). Enantioselective host-guest complexation was observed between the [Eu(6βCDida)]⁺ , [Eu(3βCDida)]⁺ and [Eu(6βCDedta)] complexes and Trp⁻, [Eu(6βCDida)]⁺ and [Eu(3βCDida)]⁺ and 4HOPhg⁻, and βCD, 6βCDida²⁻, 3βCDida²⁻, 6βCDedta³⁻ and the Eu³⁺complexes of the three substituted βCDs and Phm. The His⁻, Phg⁻ and βPhs⁻ enantiomers showed no evidence for selective host-guest complexation. The preparation of 3βCDidaH₂ and 6βCDedtaH₃ and the determination of their pK[subscript]a s are also reported. In collaboration with the research group of Prof. Matthew A. Tarr, (University of New Orleans, USA), the 6βCDida²⁻ and the 6βCDedta³⁻ has been utilized to improve Fenton oxidation of aromatic pollutants. To further support to this work, the binary complexation of Fe² ⁺ by 6βCDida²⁻ has been studied by potentiometric titrations. A series of six modified poly(acrylic acid)s 3% substituted with either βCD or the adamantyl moiety with different length of substituent chain was synthesised. To advance the understanding and control of aqueous supramolecular assembly, the host-guest interactions between the βCD substituted poly(acrylic acid)s and adamantane-1-carboxylic; adamantyl substituted poly(acrylic acid)s with βCD and linked βCD dimers; and between both βCD and adamantyl substituted poly(acrylic acid)s have been studied. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1311237 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Chemistry and Physics, 2008

The main focus of this thesis is on photochemical modulation of molecular recognition in various host-guest systems. This involves the design, synthesis and integration of light-triggered conformational switches into peptidomimetic guests and molecular tweezer hosts. The impact of the switches on guest and host structures has been assessed by spectroscopic and computational conformational analysis. Effects of photochemical structure modulation on molecular recognition in protein-ligand and supramolecular host-guest systems are discussed. Phototriggerable peptidomimetic inhibitors of the enzyme M. tuberculosis ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) were obtained by incorporation of a stilbene based amino acid moiety into oligopeptides between 3-9 residues long (Paper I). Interstrand hydrogen bond probability in the E and Z forms of the peptidomimetics was used as a tool for predicting conformational preferences. Considerable differences in inhibitory potency for the E and Z photoisomers were demonstrated in a binding assay. In order to advance the concept of photomodulable inhibitors, synthetic routes towards amino acid derivatives based on the more rigid stiff-stilbene chromophore were developed (Paper II).  The effect of E-Z isomerization on the conformational properties of peptidomimetic inhibitors incorporating the stiff-stilbene chromophore was also assessed computationally (Paper III). It was indicated that inhibitors with the more rigid amino acid derivative should display larger conformational divergence between photoisomers than corresponding stilbene derivatives. Bisporphyrin tweezers with enediyne and stiff-stilbene spacers have been synthesized, and the conformational characteristics imposed by the spacers have been studied and compared to a glycoluril linked tweezer. The effects of spacers on tweezer binding of diamine guests and helicity induction by chiral guests have been investigated (Paper IV). Connections between spacer flexibility and host-guest binding strength have been established. The structural properties of the stiff-stilbene spaced tweezer made it particularly susceptible to helicity induction by both monotopic and bitopic chiral guests. Finally, the possibility of photochemical bite-size variation of tweezers with photoswitchable spacers has been assessed. Initial studies have shown that photoisomerization of the tweezers is possible without photochemical decomposition. Conformational analyses indicate that isomerization should impact binding characteristics of the tweezers to a significant extent (Paper V).

NMR is a powerful analytical spectroscopic tool used to perform detailed studies of structure and dynamics of molecules in solution. However, despite NMR's excellent spectral sensitivity, most NMR methods suffer from low detection sensitivity. This low detection sensitivity results largely from extremely small (Boltzmann) nuclear spin polarization at thermal equilibrium--in even the strongest of magnets. This dissertation focuses on selected research areas that maybe used to combat the limitations presented by NMR and measure weak spectral responses with atomic-scale precision. In particular, these methods involve the use of laser-polarized xenon, liquid crystals, and polarization transfer (cross-polarization) techniques to enhance NMR sensitivity and/or measure weak interactions. The potential use of these tools to study host-guest interactions is of particular interest. In certain systems the sensitivity problem of conventional NMR/MRI can be overcome by applying optical pumping (OP) methods to enhance nuclear spin polarization. For instance, OP of noble gases (such as xenon) is employed to dramatically increase their nuclear spin polarization by transferring angular momentum of laser light to electronic and then nuclear spins. Next, cryptophane complexes are ideal choices for fundamental studies of prototypical host-guest interactions. Of general interest when studying host-guest interactions is how (1) physical confinement at the nanoscale and (2) interactions between guest and host may affect the properties, dynamics, interactions, and/or reactivity of a trapped molecule and the host/guest complex as a whole. As a more specific example, we are interested in probing host-guest dynamic coupling, which refers to the relative motion of the guest within the host, determined by the relative sizes and geometries--as well as the interactions involved. With the development of new NMR methods and techniques, we hope to gain insight into mechanisms that underlie complex formation by probing the structures, dynamics and energetic contributions involved in ligand binding, where molecular contributions such as: orientational and motional freedom of the guest; and structure, dynamics, and ordering of the host can influence the behavior of inclusion complexes.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been extensively used to investigate the structure and dynamics of host-guest systems. NMR spectroscopy has gained attention because of its high spectral information content for studies of molecules in the solid state and in solution. However, the main weakness of NMR is the inherent low detection sensitivity. Host-guest interactions are weak; therefore these interactions can be particularly difficult to study due to weak spectral response. NMR methods are currently the best solution for measuring these responses with atomic-scale precision. Improving upon these limitations is the main goal of this dissertation research using laser-polarized xenon, liquid crystals, and polarization exchange pulse sequences. The first five chapters review the basics of NMR spectroscopy that is used throughout this dissertation. Chapters one and two concern the fundamental elements of liquid-state and liquid-crystal NMR spectroscopy. The third chapter deals with the properties of organic thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals including the ZLI 1132 and PBLG. Chapter four presents the theoretical and experimental aspects of optical pumping laser-polarized xenon and properties of xenon. An overview of the dissertation research is described in chapter six. Chapter seven describes the procedures for synthesizing many of the cryptophanes used in the NMR experiments in this dissertation. The cryptophanes synthesized include cryptophane-A, cryptophane-223, and cryptophane-E as well as the water-soluble derivatives of each. The eighth and ninth chapters investigate the binding kinetics of hydrocarbon and hydrogen gases to cryptophane-111 in organic solutions. Chapter ten illustrates the utility of liquid crystalline-aligned cryptophanes (bis- and cryptophane-A) reintroducing dipolar couplings in solution. Chapter eleven describes the exploitation of the reintroduced dipolar coupling of the guest molecule to transfer the abundant 1H nuclear spin magnetization to the rare 13C spins to enhance NMR detection sensitivity using an adiabatic Hartmann-Hahn cross polarization pulse sequence. Chapter twelve describes cryptophanes of varying cavity size to probe the host-guest dynamic coupling (with chloroform as a guest ligand) aligned in PBLG. Finally, chapter thirteen introduces preliminary xenon @ cryptophanes aligned in liquid crystals to achieve intermolecular polarization transfer.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Christer B. Aakeröy / A family of six β-diketone based ligands capable of simultaneously acting as halogen-bond (XB) donors (each of para and meta substituted chloro, bromo and iodo functionalities) and chelating ligands was synthesized. Four ligands were characterized by X-ray diffraction to identify the structural behavior of the ligand itself. The free ligands bearing bromine and iodine show XB interactions (C-X···O) whereas the ligand containing chlorine did not show XB interactions. The corresponding Cu(II) complexes for ligands were also synthesized in different solvents such as acetonitrile, ethyl acetate and nitromethane. Both acetonitrile and ethyl acetate participate in XB interactions with XB donors (Br or I) although nitromethane does not participate in such interaction. Metal-ligand complexes with iodine as XB donor in the para position engage in XB interactions to make extended supramolecular architecture when the solvent is nitromethane. When the XB donor attached in the meta position of the ligand, formation of extended supramolecular architecture was seen even in the presence of a strongly coordinating solvent such as acetonitrile. Two tetra functionalized molecules bearing hydrogen-bond (HB) donors (-OH) and XB donors (-C≡C-I) and one tetra functionalized molecule which has only HB donors (-OH and -C≡C-H) were synthesized. The donor molecules themselves show potential for making HB and XB interactions with the available acceptor sites present in the system. The competition between intermolecular HB and XB was explored by co-crystallizing with suitable nitrogen based acceptors. HB and XB donors showed equal competitiveness toward common acceptors when making HB/ XB interactions. Furthermore, the geometry and relative positioning of the donor sites can, in certain cases, change the balance between the competing interactions by favoring HB interactions. A series of cavitands functionalized with XB donors, HB/XB donors and β-diketone have been synthesized. Binding preferences of XB and HB/XB cavitands towards a series of suitable HB/XB acceptors were studied in solid state and they have confirmed the presence of interactions between donor and acceptors. Cavitands with β-diketone functionality were subjected to binding studies with metal ions in solution as well as in the solid state. Successful metal-ligand complexation in solid state as well as in solution state based on UV/Vis titrations have been confirmed. In order to stabilize chemically unstable energetic compound, pentaerythritol tetranitrocarbamate (PETNC), a co-crystallization approach targeting the acidic protons was employed. A co-crystal, a salt and a solvate were obtained and the acceptors were identified as supramolecular protecting groups leading to reduced chemical reactivity and improved stability of PETNC with minimal reduction of desirable energetic properties. Several potential tetrazole based explosives which are thermal and impact sensitive and solid propellants which are impact sensitive were subjected to co-crystallization experiment to stabilize and enhance their properties. Co-crystals and salts of the explosives were obtained with suitable nitrogen based and oxygen based acceptors. The impact sensitivity and thermal instability of the explosives were improved with the introduction of co-formers. Oxygen based acceptors have shown more favorable explosive property improvements compared to nitrogen based acceptors with significant retention of explosive nature of the parent explosives.