Novel photohydration of trans-stilbenes and trans-anethole inside cyclodextrin nanocavity in aqueous medium

An unique photochemical hydration of trans-stilbene, trans-3-methoxystilbene and trans-anethole was observed inside cyclodextrin nanocavity in water. An excited-state proton transfer from cyclodextrin hydroxyl groups via a carbocation intermediate, which is stabilized by cyclodextrin secondary hydroxyl groups, is proposed.