Pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) diffusion measurements as a tool for the elucidation of a new type of hydrogen-bonded bicapsular aggregate.

Compounds formed by linking two tris(ureidobenzyl)amine modules with a hexamethylene tether are described. These compounds self-assemble to form bicapsular aggregates featuring two rings of six hydrogen-bonded ureas. (1)H and (1)H/(1)H ROESY NMR spectroscopy, together with pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR diffusion measurements, have been used to characterize the dimers in solution. The results have been compared with energy-minimized structures. The new compounds are kinetically stable on the NMR timescale, and their thermodynamic stabilities are comparable to other capsular aggregates derived from tris(ureidobenzyl)amines.