β-Cyclodextrin Supramolecular Recognition of bis-Cationic Dithienylethenes

The supramolecular interactions in water between β-cyclodextrin and the open closed photochromic forms of two bis-cationic dithienylethenes, characterized by different electronic properties, were investigated aiming at underlying key aspects recognition process. dithienylethene equipped with cyclopentenyl unit showed a difference binding free energies to about 1 kJ/mol. Conversely, perfluorinated not only was better guest but three times higher isomers.