Fabricating a novel supramolecular light-activated platform based on internal-driven forces induced by the UV-light

Recently, exploiting a novel supramolecular fabrication pathway have drawn great attention. To this endeavor, we firstly designed and reported an original light-activated platform based on the internal-driven forces of macrocyclic host by hiring the pillar[5]arene as the host molecule (H) and phenazine derivatives acting as an energetic guest molecule (G). Surprisingly, after adding the H solution into G system, the intensive fluorescence emission of the G molecule rapidly decreased under the irradiation of the UV-light (254 nm) until absolutely quenching. Delightfully, different from the traditional supramolecular host-guest interaction, the fluorescent emission of G molecule could be recovered after irradiating under the nature light. In view of this interesting observations, the interaction mechanism was carefully investigated by a series of characterizations. Those results suggested that the G molecule was easily threaded into the macrocyclic cavity (H) under the internal-driven forces induced by the UV-light irradiation, forming a 1:1 host-guest complex. Moreover, taking advantage of this especial feature, the light-activated platform of host-guest complex was further applied for ink-free light-driven printing materials, exhibiting great potential in the real application. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

By designing a light-activated platform based on internal-driven forces of a macrocyclic host, it is possible to achieve quenching and regeneration of fluorescent molecules, showing great potential for practical applications.