Dendronised diazapyrenium derivatives: host–guest complexes in aqueous solution

Abstract

Dendronised diazapyrenium derivatives were synthesised with glycol-appended dendrons to confer water solubility. These dendrimers form self-assembled supramolecular structures with cucurbituril hosts. The self-assembly process could be monitored by changes in the absorption spectra and redox properties of the dendrimers due to electronic interactions of the electron-accepting diazapyrenium core with the electron-rich inner cavity of cucurbiturils.