Redox-Responsive Reverse Vesicles Self-Assembled by Pseudo[2]rotaxanes for Tunable Dye Release

Reverse vesicles exhibiting functions similar to those of normal vesicles have been constructed through the self-assembly of TTF/CBPQT(4+)-based pseudo[2]rotaxanes in a nonpolar solvent. The ends of the threads of the pseudo[2]rotaxanes are attached with a Frechet-type G-3 dendron and a hydrogen-bonded arylamide foldamer. These vesicles exhibit a response to redox. By exploiting the dynamic feature spontaneously slow disassociation of the pseudorotaxanes the sustained release of dyes embedded in the reverse vesicles has been demonstrated, which can be further tuned by changing the solvent polarity.