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In the crystalline state, infinite channels of β-cyclodextrin dimers host infinite arrays of self associated linear aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, thus enclosing the hydrophilic carboxy ends inside the hydrophobic channels.

The interactions of 11-aminoundecanoic acid (1), 12-aminododecanoic acid (2), 1,12-diaminododecane (3), and 1,13-tridecanoic diacid (4) with α-cyclodextrin (αCD) were studied in aqueous solution by NMR spectroscopy. The association modes were established with titration and continuous variation plots, variable temperature NMR spectra, and dipolar interactions as recorded in 2D ROESY spectra. The studies were carried out at pH 7.3 and 13.6. These long, linear bifunctional molecules were found to form simultaneously [2]- and [3]pseudorotaxanes with αCD in the aqueous solution. At the higher pH the 1:1 adducts were present at concentrations higher than at the neutral pH. The longer guests formed complexes enriched in the 2:1 constituent at both pH values. There were clear indications that the [2]pseudorotaxanes are present in two isomeric forms. The presence of isomers also in the [3]pseudorotaxanes was not ruled out. Various exchange rate regimes were observed; clearly in neutral solutions the formation of t...

This tutorial review describes in a brief historical perspective the most important organic compounds that exhibit photochromism in the crystalline state since its discovery in 1867 up to now and considers in detail Schiff bases of salicylaldehyde with amines (anils). The latter comprise a chemical system undergoing hydrogen-atom tautomerism between enol and keto forms and show the phenomena of solid state photochromism and thermochromism. The system has been investigated extensively. Thus it has been shown that the photochromic property is a characteristic of the molecules but their chromobehaviour is influenced by the crystal structure of the compounds. Anils, apart from their fundamental interest, have potential for various applications.