Templating conformations with cucurbiturils.

The trans- and cis conformations of 5,5'-substituted 2,2'-dithiophenes can be stabilized when those are secured with two Cucurbit[8]uril macrocycles (CB[8]) on top of rigid 2,6- and 2,7-substituted naphthalenes, which respectively mimic the trans and cis conformations of the dithiophene. The substituents are Pt(ii) terpyridyl groups bearing CB[8]-binding sites at their 4'-position, as those form dimers in the presence of the macrocycle through Pt-Pt and dispersive interactions between the terpyridyl ligands.