Inclusion compounds of trans-1,4-bis[(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene (BPEB) and their corresponding pentacyanoferrate(II) complexes with beta-cyclodextrin have been studied in aqueous solution by ¹H NMR and UV-Visible spectroscopy. All the inclusion compounds exhibit 1:1 stoichiometry is aqueous solution. In the presence of beta-cyclodextrin, the binuclear {[Fe(CN)5]2(BPEB)]6- complex is gradually converted into rotaxane species bearing [Fe(CN)5]3-end groups, by a self assembly inclusion mechanism, as confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.
cyclodextrins; inclusion complexes; rotaxanes; NMR