Fluorescence Control of Boron Enaminoketonate Using a Rotaxane Shuttle

Abstract

The effect of rotaxane shuttling on the fluorescence properties of a fluorophore was investigated by exploiting fluorophore-tethered [2]rotaxanes. A fluorescent boron enaminoketonate (BEK) moiety was introduced in a rotaxane via transformation of an isoxazole unit generated as a result of an end-capping reaction using a nitrile N-oxide. The rotaxane exhibited a red shift of the fluorescence maximum along with a remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence quantum yield through wheel translation to the fluorophore.