Controlled molecular self-assembly behaviors between cucurbituril and bispyridinium derivatives

J Org Chem. 2011 Jun 3;76(11):4682-5. doi: 10.1021/jo200349u. Epub 2011 May 13.

Abstract

Two stable supramolecular loops (1 and 2) were successfully constructed by the molecular recognition of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) and the homoditopic bispyridinium derivatives (3 and 4). Interestingly, the interconversion of molecular loops and [2]pseudorotaxanes could be reversibly switched under neutral and acidic condition, exhibiting the controlled electrochemical and spectroscopic behaviors.