Visible Light–Induced Supra‐Amphiphilic Switch Leads to Transition from Supramolecular Nanosphere to Nanovesicle Activated by Pillar[5]arene‐Based Host–Guest Interaction. Issue 20 (22nd May 2018) - Li, Pengyu
Abstract: A photoresponsive host–guest supramolecular complex (WP5⊃G ) constructed by water‐soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5 ) and spiropyran derivative (G ) is presented. The spontaneous isomerization ofG from spiropyran (SP ) form to ring‐opened merocyanine (MC ) form happens either alone or inWP5⊃G in aqueous media. Irradiated by visible light, G can be converted intoSP form completely and the hydrophilicity will be changed.G andWP5⊃G are both verified to self‐assemble into nanospheres. Upon exposure to visible light, WP5⊃G reassemble into nanovesicles due to the change of supra‐amphiphilicity, whileG alone does not have this transition. Obviously, WP5 takes the key role that activates the photoinduced morphological transition. Abstract : A pillar[5]arene‐based host–guest supramolecular system (WP5⊃G) is designed and constructed. The photoresponsive feature of supramolecular assemblies is investigated.WP5 takes the key role that activates the photoinduced morphologic transition, so that morphological changes from nanospheres to nanovesicles are observed only in the system ofWP5⊃G upon visible light irradiation.