Synthesis and Host-Guest Chemistry of Pyrene-Embedded Helical Carbon Nanohoops.

Abstract

Herein, we report the synthesis of pyrene-embedded carbon nanohoops (3PyCPP) via a triangular gold complex-templated assembly strategy, in which three pyrene units are strategically linked at their 1,6-positions. This synthetic approach yields four crystal structures, and only the enantiomeric conformers [(15,6)AAA3PyCPP and (15,6)BBB3PyCPP] are exclusively observed in the crystalline state. 3PyCPP demonstrates a moderate fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF = 46.2%) and a large Stokes shift. Moreover, host-guest chemistry studies reveal that 3PyCPP binds C70 in an inclusion manner to form a unique 1:1 complex. This work shows a type of carbon-rich nanohoop with tailored structures and dual utility in optoelectronics and supramolecular host-guest systems.