Novel chiral Schiff base macrocycles containing azobenzene chromophore: gelation and guest inclusion

A novel chiral Schiff base macrocycle 1 was synthesized by [3+3] condensation of enantiomerically pure trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with azobenzene-4,4′-dicarbaldehyde. Subsequent reduction of 1 afforded macrocyclic hexamine 2 having three azobenzene units. The former could be converted into a benzene gel, while the latter could include several aromatic guest molecules.