Reversible Disassembly-Assembly of Octa Acid-Guest Capsule in Water Triggered by a Photochromic Process

Octa acid (OA), a calixarene-based cavitand, forms a 1:2 capsular assembly with neutral 1,3,3-trimethyl-6′-nitrospiro[2H-1]benzopyran-2,2′-indoline and 1:1 cavitandplex with its open zwitterionic merocyanine form. Photochromic interconversion between the spiropyran and merocyanine leads to unprecedented reversible capsular disassembly and assembly. OA provides stability to the merocyanine in both the ground and excited states. The photochemically controlled disassembly and assembly process established here points toward the opportunity of using the OA capsule in delivering small molecules at the desired locations.