Controllable aggregation-induced emission based on a tetraphenylethylene-functionalized pillar[5]arene via host–guest recognition

A novel TPE-functionalized pillar[5]arene (TPEP5) was successfully synthesized, and the motion of the TPE motif was restricted via pillararene-based host–guest recognition-mediated cross-linking, resulting in the efficient “turn-on” of fluorescence emission based on the AIE mechanism.