Templating conformations with cucurbiturils

Abstract

The trans- and cis conformations of 5,5′-substituted 2,2′-dithiophenes can be stabilized when those are secured with two Cucurbit[8]uril macrocycles (CB[8]) on top of rigid 2,6- and 2,7-substituted naphthalenes, which respectively mimic the trans and cis conformations of the dithiophene. The substituents are Pt(II) terpyridyl groups bearing CB[8]-binding sites at their 4′-position, as those form dimers in the presence of the macrocycle through Pt–Pt and dispersive interactions between the terpyridyl ligands.