Near perfect head-to-head selectivity on supramolecular photocyclodimerisation of 2-anthracenecarboxylate with self-organised gemini surfactant bilayers

Silicificated self-organised crystalline bilayers of gemini surfactants were used as reaction templates for supramolecular regioselective [4+4] photocyclodimerisation of 2-anthracenecarboxylate in water. Near perfect head-to-head cyclodimers selectivity, up to 97% at room temperature was achieved with accelerated dimerisation.