Selective binding of cucurbit[7]uril and β-cyclodextrin with a redox-active molecular triad Ru(bpy)3–MV2+–naphthol

Abstract
A 1∶1∶1 inclusion complex is formed by the binding interactions among β-CD, CB[7] hosts, and Ru(bpy)3-terminated viologen–naphthalene guest in aqueous solution, in which the positions of both CB[7] and β-CD are closer to the Ru stopper than in the respective 1∶1 inclusion complexes, forming a “tightened nut on bolt” structural mode.