Abstract: | The intramolecular excimer formation of 6A,6B-, 6A,6C-, 6A,6D-, and 6A,6E-bis(2-naphthyl-sulfonyl)-γ-cyclodextrins (1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) and 6A.6B-, 6A,6C-, and 6A,6D-bis(2-naphthyl-sulfonyl)-β-cyclodextrins (5, 6, and 7, respectively) has been studied in 10% ethylene glycol aqueous solution. The two naphthyl rings are co-included in the γ-cyclodextrin cavities of1–4, and marked excimer emission was observed for 2, 3, and 4. On the other hand, almost pure monomer emission was observed for 5, 6, and 7 due to inclusion of one of two naphthyl rings in the β-cyclodextrin cavities. Compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7 showed remarkable guest-induced enhancement in the excimer emission, and this property was used for detecting several organic compounds with remarkable molecular recognition. |