Self-assembly of supramolecular complexes of cyanine dyes containing terminal ammonium groups with bis(18-crown-6)stilbene

Mono-, tri-, and pentamethine cyanine dyes containing two terminal ammonium groups in the N-substituents and bis(18-crown-6)- stilbene in MeCN form pseudocyclic 1:1 complexes (log K_1:1 up to 8.1) and triple-decker 1:2 complexes (log K_1:2 up to 2.6).