Cyclodextrin-Isolated Alkynylpyrenes as UV-Stable and Blue-Light-Emitting Molecules Even in Condensed States

Encapsulation of highly emissive alkynylpyrenes with permethylated α-cyclodextrin (PM-α-CD) followed by capping reaction yielded alkynylpyrene-based [3]rotaxanes. The [3]rotaxane emitted only blue light of monomeric pyrene under various circumstances such as lipophilic, hydrophilic, and even condensed states and exhibited extremely high stability for UV irradiation. These properties would result because PM-α-CD, like bulletproof glass, protected the alkynylpyrene core from the attack of another excited alkynylpyrene and singlet oxygen generated by the energy transfer from the excited alkynylpyrene.