Stereoselective Photodimerization of 2-Anthracenecarboxylic Acid Using a Cation-Charged PSMP12-Cyclodextrin Template

Two pyridinium groups were introduced into -cyclodextrin (-CD) at the A and E glucose units to make a molecular flask for controlling the stereo-selectivity of photodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid. When the photodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid was carried out in the presence of bispyridinio-appended -CD, the relative yield of one of the configurational isomers was increased 1.5-fold compared to the corresponding yield in aqueous solution. The optical yields of the photodimerization reaction products also increased more than 10-fold by the addition of bispyridinio-appended -CD.