PHOTOACTIVITY WITHIN CYCLODEXTRIN CAVITIES - INCLUSION COMPLEXES OF ANILS

Photochromic percinnamoylated cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin) s olid inclusion complexes with guests N-salicylideneaniline and N-5-chl orosalicylideneaniline were prepared and characterized. The guests of these inclusion complexes can be easily ''locked'' with UV irradiation in the solid state by formation of cyclobutane bridges among the perc innamate residues rendering them more stable than before and stronger in fluorescence. The reverse reaction, rupture of the cyclobutane brid ges, has not been achieved in the solid state and more work toward thi s goal is in progress.