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BowtieArene: A Dual Macrocycle Exhibiting Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence.

Sheng-Nan LeiHongyan XiaoYi ZengChen-Ho TungLi-Zhu WuHuan Cong
Published in: Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) (2020)
Although highly useful in supramolecular chemistry, pillararenes lack a fluorophore in their skeleton. Here we present BowtieArene, a novel fluorescent dual macrocycle, featuring a central tetraphenylethylene-derived fluorophore and two pillar-like, pentagon-shaped cavities which are comparable to pillar[5]arene. This concisely prepared, figure-of-eight molecule exhibits vapor absorption and host-guest capabilities, as well as intriguing switchable fluorescence. The fluorochromism of BowtieArene can be triggered by multiple external stimuli including solvent, vapor, and mechanical force, with excellent reversibility and stability. Experimental and theoretical evidence indicate that the fluorochromism should be closely related to molecular packing.
Keyphrases
  • single molecule
  • energy transfer
  • living cells
  • water soluble
  • fluorescent probe
  • quantum dots
  • cancer therapy
  • ionic liquid
  • drug discovery
  • solar cells