Multi-charged macrocycles as a platform for rapid and broad spectral photodecomposition of aromatic dyes

Abstract

Four water-soluble macrocycles were chosen to explore the photodecomposition behaviours of quaternized 9-alkoxy-substituted anthracene (AnQA). Significantly, a highly charged macrocyclic skeleton leads to extremely close packing among the anthryl rings, providing a favourable hydrophobic environment for singlet oxygen, leading to rapid oxidation to produce the photoproducts under sunlight irradiation.