A Molecular-Level Plug/Socket System: Electronic Energy Transfer from a Binaphthyl Unit Incorporated into a Crown Ether to an Anthracenyl Unit Linked to an Ammonium Ion

Reversible acid/base- (H-bonding-) control of a “plug in/plug out” system of crown ethers incorporating a binaphthyl unit and wirelike compounds bearing an anthracenyl unit has been achieved (see scheme). In the “plug in” state, a photoinduced energy-transfer process occurs from the binaphthyl to the anthracenyl unit. These systems behave as plug/socket molecular devices for the flow of electronic energy.