Phase Transition Regulated by Photo-Controlled Molecular Recognition of Alpha- Cyclodextrin

Herein, poly(ethylene glycol) and azobenzene are used as thermo- and photo-sensitive unit, respectively; and azobenzene, heptamethylene, and adamantyl are utilized as photo-responsive recognition group, second recognition group, and stopper for α-cyclodextrin to construct a novel dually thermo- and photo-responsive supramolecular system whose phase transition can be regulated by the photo-controlled selective molecular recognition of α-cyclodextrin.