Dual-Stimulus Supramolecular Luminescent Switch Based on Cyanostilbene-Bridged Bis(Dibenzo-24-Crown-8) and a Diarylethene Derivative

The development of multifunctional photo-controlled luminescent switch, which provides versatile tools for smart systems and advanced organic luminescent materials, is of paramount significance. Herein, a photoswitchable supramolecular assembly is constructed from the noncovalent interaction of cyanostilbene-bridged bis(dibenzo-24-crown-8) with a diarylethene derivative. Possessing the reversible photoisomerization property and a high Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency, the resultant supramolecular assembly can reversibly switch on/off the luminescence of the cyanostilbene group upon irradiation by different wavelength light and the addition of acid/base both in solution and in the solid state. Significantly, the characters written with the supramolecular assembly as ink can be reversibly and repeatedly erased and recovered by altering the wavelength of irradiation light.