A Bis‐Acridinium Macrocycle as Multi‐Responsive Receptor and Selective Phase‐Transfer Agent of Perylene

A bis‐acridinium cyclophane incorporating switchable acridinium moieties linked by a 3,5‐dipyridylanisole spacer was studied as a multi‐responsive host for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon guests. Complexation of perylene was proven to be the most effective and was characterized in particular by a charge transfer band as signal output. Effective catch and release of the guest was triggered by both chemical (proton/hydroxide) and redox stimuli. Moreover, the dicationic host was also easily switched between organic and perfluorocarbon phases for application related to the enrichment of perylene from a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. peerReviewed