Light triggered encapsulation and release of C(60) with a photoswitchable TPE-based supramolecular tweezers

Stimuli responsive hosts for C(60) can control its binding and release on demand. A photoswitchable TPE based supramolecular host can encapsulate C(60) in the Z-form with a markedly different visual change in the colour. In addition, the Z-1 bound C(60) has been characterized by various spectroscopic methods and mass spectrometry. Upon exposure to visible light (>490 nm), the host switches to the E-form where the structural complementarity with the guest is destroyed as a result of which the C(60) is disassembled from the host. The results described herein reveals an actionable roadmap to pursue further advances in component self-assembly particularly light-induced association and dissociation of a guest molecule.