Bicyclic Host Cavities Derived from Triphenylamine—Guest Selectivity and Redox Properties

Large, substrate-selective cavities are present in the new, water-soluble macrobicyclic compounds 1, X, Y  N, and 2, X  N, Y  C-CH3. Because the triphenylamine nitrogen can be oxidized electrochemically to the radical cation, these host compounds may be electrochemically modified (“switched on and off”). Compounds such as 1 and 2 are also of interest as models for redox enzymes.