Selective photoinduced charge separation in perylenediimide-pillar[5]arene rotaxanes

The ability to control photoinduced charge transfer within molecules represents a major challenge requiring precise control of the relative positioning and orientation of donor and acceptor groups. Here we show that such photoinduced charge transfer processes within homo- and hetero-rotaxanes can be controlled through organisation of the components of the mechanically interlocked molecules, introducing alternative pathways for electron donation. Specifically, studies of two rotaxanes are described: a homo[3]rotaxane, built from a perylenediimide diimidazolium rod that threads two pillar[5]arene macrocycles, and a hetero[4]rotaxane in which an additional bis(1,5-naphtho)-38-crown-10 (BN38C10) macrocycle encircles the central perylenediimide. The two rotaxanes are characterised by a combination of techniques including electron diffraction crystallography in the case of the hetero[4]rotaxane. Cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry, and EPR spectroscopy are employed to establish the behaviour of the redox states of both rotaxanes and these data are used to inform photophysical studies using time-resolved infra-red (TRIR) and transient absorption (TA) spectroscopies. The latter studies illustrate the formation of a symmetry-breaking charge-separated state in the case of the homo[3]rotaxane in which charge transfer between the pillar[5]arene and perylenediimide is observed involving only one of the two macrocyclic components. In the case of the hetero[4]rotaxane charge separation is observed involving only the BN38C10 macrocycle and the perylenediimide leaving the pillar[5]arene components unperturbed.