A three-pole supramolecular switch

Authors :: Ashton, Peter R.
Balzani, Vincenzo
Becher, Jan
Credi, Alberto
Fyfe, Matthew C.T.
Mattersteig, Gunter
Menzer, Stephan
Nielsen, Mogens B.
Raymo, Francisco M.
Stoddart, J. Fraser
Venturi, Margherita
Williams, David J.
Source :: Journal of the American Chemical Society. April 28, 1999, Vol. 121 Issue 16, p3951, 7 p.
Publication Year :: 1999
Abstract: Tetrathiafulvalenium dication (TTF(super 2+)) binds strongly within the cavity of the pi-electron-donating macrocyclic polyether 1,5-dinaphtho(38)crown-10, producing a host-guest complex that is stabilized by pi-pi stacking interactions. This makes it possible to use the properties of TTF to construct a three-pole supramolecular switch whereim electrochemical stimuli can be utilized to shift the system between three states. Data from electrochemical experiments reveal that the three-component mixture behaves as a reversible three-pole supramolecular switch.