Pillar[6]arene-Based Photoresponsive Host-Guest Complexation

摘要

The trans form of an azobenzene-containing guest can complex with a pillar[6]arene, while it cannot complex with pillar[5]arenes due to the different cavity sizes of the pillar[6]arene and the pillar[5]arenes. The spontaneous aggregation of its host-guest complex with the pillar[6]arene can be reversibly photo-controlled by irradiation with UV and visible light, leading to a switch between irregular aggregates and vesicle-like aggregates. This new pillar[6] arene-based photoresponsive host-guest recognition motif can work in organic solvents and is a good supplement to the existing widely used cyclodextrin/azobenzene recognition motif.