Ion-Pairing Effects in the Self-Assembly of a Fluorescent Pseudorotaxane

Herein we report on the self-assembly, in a low polarity solvent, of a pseudorotaxane species comprising binaphthyl-26-crown-8 (BN26C8) as the macrocyclic host and anthracenyl-benzylammonium as the threadlike positively charged guest (ABH+). Absorption and luminescence data reveal a very efficient energy transfer process occurring from the binaphthyl to the anthracene singlet excited states. The self-assembly is highly dependent on the nature of the counteranion confirming the crucial role played by it in the competition between the self-assembly process and the formation of ion pairs (ABH+X-). This behavior can be readily evidenced in dilute solutions from the analysis of the luminescence …