Inclusion induced second harmonic generation in low dimensional supramolecular crystals

Abstract

A host–guest inclusion complexation self-assembly strategy was developed for the synthesis of SHG-active low dimensional supramolecular crystals (LDSCs). p-Nitroaniline guest molecules with high inherent second-order polarizability were introduced into the cavities of the β-cyclodextrin host to form supramolecular inclusion complexes, which were then assembled into microscale crystalline structures with an anti-solvent diffusion combined solvent-evaporation-induced self-assembly method. Two distinct types of LDSCs with controllable dimensions were obtained by altering the polarity of anti-solvents and the concentration of supramolecular monomers. Each type of LDSCs exhibited its characteristic SHG response to the polarized incident signals, which is attributed to the inherent crystal structures.