An Amphiphilic Pillar[5]arene: Synthesis, Controllable Self-Assembly in Water, and Application in Calcein Release and TNT Adsorption

An amphiphilic pillar[5]­arene was made. It could self-assemble
to form vesicles and multiwalled microtubes in water. Dynamic light
scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy,
atomic force microscopy, and UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopy were
employed to characterize its self-assembly process and the resultant
assemblies. The vesicles could encapsulate calcein within their interiors
under neutral conditions and release it in response to a decrease
in pH. The microtubes, which have primary amine groups on their surfaces,
could adsorb TNT through donor–acceptor interactions.