Novel peptidomimetic macrocycles showing exciplex fluorescence

The synthesis of five new chiral macrocyclic peptidomimetic naphthalenophanes, together with two open-chain derivatives, is described. The cyclization step is accomplished in good yields without the use of high dilution or template techniques. The new compounds have been photophysically studied by means of steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. It has been found that the smaller the ring size, the higher the emission quantum yield from the excited charge-transfer state (CTS, exciplex) and the lower the fluorescence from the locally excited state (LES). The occurrence of exciplex fluorescence is noteworthy as the electron-donating groups are secondary amine moieties, which do not normally form emissive exciplexes. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.