Solvent-manipulated guest binding and signaling of a fluorescent resorcin[4]arene cavitand with 1,3,2-benzodiazaboryl D-π-A conjugation flaps.

The conformation of resorcin[4]arene cavitand system 1 was controlled by DMSO through a hydrogen bonding network between benzodiazaborole NHs of the cavitand flaps and DMSO molecules to stabilize the vase form. Subsequently, a guest-binding cavity of 1 was formed to accommodate tetraalkylammonium guest 3, permitting the monitoring of the guest by the unaided eye as a result of a CH-π interaction between the benzodiazaborole π-donor group and the guest.