Abstract Two anthracene fragments were added to a linear dioxotetramine ligand in order to exploit a [4πs+ 4πs] photocycloaddition reaction and obtain a photoswitchable selective receptor for Cu II, whose cavity (and binding abilities) can be closed on command. Moreover, it was demonstrated that this new ligand, N, N′-bis {2-[(anthracen-9-ylmethyl) amino] ethyl} malonamide (LH 2), can also be used for the photoinduced release of ...
