Methanol controllable chromophoric supramolecular switch investigated by electrospray mass spectrometry Original Research Article

The supramolecular switch which is controlled by methanol, with color turned on or off, is prepared by a cyclodextrin-included dianion of phenolphthalein. This phenomenon is studied by electrospray time of flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) and electrospray Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). The influence of the host cavity size and the nozzle potential on the supramolecular switch system is investigated in detail. The dianion phenolphthalein in the supramolecular switch system is also studied by tandem mass spectrometry. The relevant mechanism is discussed, and the result is contrary to those of papers reported previously.