Guest induced morphology transitions of star shaped pillar[5]arene trimer via endo host-guest and “exo-wall” electron-transfer interactions

A Star-shape pillar[5]arene trimer (C3-PLT) exhibited outstanding guest responsive morphology transitions properties with the addition of competitive guest molecules G1 and G2 by various self-assembly mechanisms. C3-PLT itself displays nanofiber morphology, and it can be completely transformed into spherical vesicles by host-guest interaction with G1, while upon addition of G2 into C3-PLT by means of “exo-wall” electron-transfer interactions, sheet superstructures can be observed. [Display omitted] Star shape bridged pillar[5]arene trimer (C3-PLT) based on benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTAs) was successfully synthesized, which exhibited outstanding guest responsive morphology transition properties. The morphology tuning studies was efficiently achieved with the addition of competitive guest molecules G1 and G2 by various self-assembly mechanisms. C3-PLT itself displays nanofiber morphology through H-type π-π stacking, and this nanofiber morphology can be completely transformed into spherical vesicles by host-guest interaction G1, while upon addition of G2 into C3-PLT by means of “exo-wall” electron-transfer interactions, sheet superstructures can be observed. SEM, 1H NMR, DOSY, fluorescence spectroscopy, and viscosity have verified the formation of supramolecular polymers and morphological transitions between C3-PLT with both guests.