A Pillar[6]arene-[2]pseudorotaxane Based pH-Sensitive Molecular Switch

A novel pH-responsive[2]pseudorotaxane based on ethylated pillar[6]arene and bis(1,2,3-triazolium)butane cation was constructed.The dethreading and rethreading could be reversibly controlled by adding base and acid,i.e.,the deprotonation and reprotonation of the guest.In contrast,such responsible switching behavior does not occur for the complexation between the guest and ethylated pillar[5]arene,since both the cationic axle and the deprotonated one can be strongly bound by ethylated pillar[5]arene.Furthermore,the bis(1,2,3-triazolium)butane⊂pillar[6]-arene-[2]pseudorotaxane can also disassemble upon the addition of competitive ethylated pillar[5]arene.