Nanotube Formation between Cyclodextrins and 1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene

Adduct formation between α-, β-, γ-, and (permethyl)γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) on the one hand and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) on the other was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy in a DMF/water mixed solvent. The four complexes, CD−DPH, were found to exhibit remarkable differences in their structures. Thus, while the α- and β-homologues form 1/1 complexes with DPH, γ-homologue forms nanotubes involving ca. 30 cyclodextrin units and an unknown number of DPH molecules. If, however, the hydrogens of all the OH groups in the γ-cyclodextrin are replaced by CH 3 groups, nanotubes do not form. Also, when the alkalinity of an aqueous solution, in which γ-CD and DPH have formed nanotubes, is increased above pH = 12, the nanotubes break down. Moreover, nanotube formation does not occur also when DPH is replaced by certain of its derivatives, very similar to it in structure and rodlike in shape.