Oxygen-insensitive phosphorescence in water from a Pt-doped supramolecular array

A supramolecular array consisting of polyvinylpyridine decorated with adamantyl-substituted Pt(ii) complexes is described. Upon complexation of the adamantyl units with cyclodextrins, a transfer into the aqueous phase can be achieved leading to an oxygen-insensitive phosphorescence. The unique properties arise from a diffusional shielding of the emitters from the environment provided by the compact self-assembled array.