Flavylium Network of Chemical Reactions in Confined Media: Modulation of 3′,4′,7‐Trihydroxyflavilium Reactions by Host–Guest Interactions with Cucurbit[7]uril

In moderately acidic aqueous solutions, flavylium compounds undergo a pH‐, and in some cases, light‐dependent array of reversible chemical reactions. This network can be described as a single acid–base reaction involving a flavylium cation (acidic form) and a mixture of basic forms (quinoidal base, hemiketal and cis and trans chalcones). The apparent pK′_a of the system and the relative mole fractions of the basic forms can be modulated by the interaction with cucurbit7]uril. The system is studied by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, flash photolysis, and steady‐state irradiation. Of all the network species, the flavylium cation possesses the highest affinity for cucurbit7]uril. The rate of interconversion between flavylium cation and the basic species (where trans‐chalcone is dominant) is approximately nine times lower inside the cucurbit7]uril.