Conformation-controlled emission of AIE luminogen: a tetraphenylethene embedded pillar[5]arene skeleton.

An unprecedented meso-decorated pillar[5]arene derivative, EtP5A-DPE, embedded with a TPE unit was prepared and structurally characterized. In the crystal, the incubation of the guest 1,4-dicyanobutane molecule inside the tetraphenylethene-embedded pillar scaffold induces a significant change in the molecular conformation, shutting down the AIE emission of this compound.