Guest-triggered crystallization of π-conjugated pillar[5]arene: from amorphous aggregates to an ordered architecture via solid-state host–guest synergy

Abstract

A bottom-up molecular assembly approach based on a π-conjugated triphenylamine-pillar[5]arene (P5NN) is developed in the solid state. The amorphous powder of P5NN can adsorb the guest vapor of 2-pentanone to form an ordered solid-state superstructure. Based on this assembly process, P5NN is capable of separating a binary mixture of 2-pentanone and 2-pentanol.