Obvious vapochromic color changes of a pillar[6]arene containing one benzoquinone unit with a mechanochromic change before vapor exposure

Abstract

We developed a color changeable aromatic vapor detection system by combining the mechanochromism and vapochromism of pillar[6]arene containing one benzoquinone unit. The color of pillar[6]arene solid was changed by mechanochromism before vapor exposure. Different aromatic vapors then induced an obvious vapochromic color change from dark red to light orange or vice versa.