Reversible Photoswitching of Donor–Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts in Water

Abstract

Adamantane-substituted donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASA) form highly stable host–guest complexes with cucurbit[n]urils (n = 7, 8) in water. These assemblies show kinetic stabilization of the colored linear form and, remarkably, exhibit reversible T-type photoswitching in water. These so far elusive features for first-generation DASA reveal a strategy for their potential use in biorelevant contexts.