We show that using an azobenzene DNA intercalator (AzoDiGua) as a guest for a cyclodextrin (α-CD) host cavity results in the formation of a pseudo-rotaxane combining several remarkable properties, such as light-controlled assembly/disassembly, photoreversible chirality and fluorescence, as well as the capability to control the melting temperature of double-stranded DNA through intercalator host–guest complexation.

Pseudo-rotaxanes are reversibly interlocked molecules with at least one linear molecule threaded into a macrocycle and, contrary to rotaxanes, an advantageous ability to be dissociated. Cyclodextrins constitute attracting macrocyclic host entities to build such dynamic structures for their oligosaccharide nature, conic shape, amphiphilic character and biocompatibility. Here we show that using an azobenzene DNA intercalator as a guest allows to build a pseudo-rotaxane combining several remarkable properties, including light-controlled assembly/disassembly, photoreversible chirality and fluorescence, as well as the capability to affect the melting temperature of double-stranded DNA through intercalator host–guest complexation.