Configuration-independent AIE-active supramolecular polymers of cyanostilbene through the photo-stable host–guest interaction of pillar[5]arene

Abstract

Supramolecular polymerization-enabled, configuration-independent aggregation-induced emission (AIE) systems of cyanostilbene were achieved through host–guest interactions between pillar[5]arene and nitrile triazole guests. Interestingly, host, control and control-guest lost its AIE upon photo-isomerization due to the absence of host–guest interaction. ¹H NMR, DOSY NMR and fluorescence studies of the supramolecular polymers before and after UV irradiation clearly indicated the significant role of photo-stable host–guest interaction in enhancing and retaining AIE.