Layered donor–acceptor–acceptor arrangement in complex of molecular tweezer based on dioxa[2.2]orthocyclophane

Flexible molecular receptors having three aromatic chromophores can bind electron deficient π-system such as TCNQ and TCNB with both face-to-face and face-to-edge interactions. The receptors have tweezer-type conformations when a guest was trapped within their cavities. Sandwich-type donor–acceptor–acceptor (DAA) arrangement was realized in the crystalline supramolecular complex.