Investigation of the upper rim binding of triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The interaction of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is studied using absorption, emission, NMR and electrochemical techniques. The increase in the absorption is observed with the increase in the concentration of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The emission intensity of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation is also enhanced in the presence of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The electrochemical titration reveals the presence of host–guest interaction. The NMR analysis explains the upper rim interaction of 2,4,6-triphenypyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The mode of binding is studied using computational methods. The quantum chemical simulations reveal the binding orientation of cationic TPP with p-SC4. The calculated complexation energy (− 33.19 kcal mol−1) indicates the strong binding nature of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene.