Cucurbit[8]uril‐Mediated Redox‐Controlled Self‐Assembly of Viologen‐Containing Dendrimers

The dimerization of dendrimers that contain a single 4,4′-bipyridinium (viologen) unit, upon one-electron reduction, is strongly enhanced by the presence of the host cucurbit[8]uril. This behavior is attributed to the formation of a stable inclusion complex between the host and two π-stacked viologen radical-cation guests—the one-electron-reduced form of viologen (see scheme).