Size Switchable Supramolecular Nanoparticle Based on Azobenzene Derivative within Anionic Pillar[5]arene

A photo/thermal-switchable supramolecular nanoparticles assembly has been constructed based on an inclusion complex between anionic pillar[5]arene 2C-WP5A and azobenzene derivative Azo-py-OMe (G). The novel anionic pillar[5]arene-based host-guest inclusion complexation was investigated by the ¹H NMR titration, 2D ROESY and isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC) showing high association constant (K_a) of (2.60 ± 0.06) × 10⁴ M^-1 with 1:1 binding stoichiometry. Furthermore, the supramolecular nanoparticles assembly can be conveniently obtained from G and a small amount of 2C-WP5A in aqueous solution, which was so-called "host induced aggregating (HIA)". The size and morphology of the supramolecular nanoparticles assembly were characterized by TEM and DLS. As a result of the photo/thermal-isomerization of G included in the cavity of 2C-WP5A, the size of these nanoparticles could reversibly change from ~800 nm to ~250 nm, which could switch the solution of this assembly from turbid to clear.