Cucurbit[n]uril-based host-guest interaction enhancing organic room-temperature phosphorescence of phthalic anhydride derivatives in aqueous solution

Abstract

Purely organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials in the solid state have been widely researched, while water-soluble molecules with single structure and RTP emission in water are still rare. Here, cyan RTP in aqueous solution of water-soluble halogen-substituted phthalic anhydride (PA) derivatives was enhanced by supramolecular host–guest complexation with cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s). This successful attempt further suggests a feasible strategy for creating visible RTP materials in aqueous solution through CB[n]-based host–guest complexation.