Photoactivity with in Cyclodextrin Cavities: Inclusion Complexes of Anils 1

Abstract Photochromic percinnamoylated cyclomaltoheptaose (β-cyclodextrin) solid inclusion complexes with guests N-salicylideneaniline and N-5-chlorosalicylideneaniline were prepared and characterized. The guests of these inclusion complexes can be easily “locked” with UV irradiation in the solid state by formation of cyclobutane bridges among the percinnamate residues rendering them more stable than before and stronger in fluorescence. The reverse reaction, rupture of the cyclobutane bridges, has not been achieved in the solid state and more work toward this goal is in progress. 1. Presented at the XVIIIth International Carbohydrate Symposium, Milan, Italy, July 21-26, 1996.