Two imidazo[4,5-f]-1',10'-phenathroline derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by using ¹H NMR technique and mass spectroscopy methods. They are 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f]-1',10'-phenathroline and 2-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f]-1',10'-phenathroline. Host-guest interac-tion of cucurbit[n]urils (n＝6～8) with the phenathroline derivatives has been investigated by NMR techniques, mass spectrum and UV absorption methods. The experimental results reveal that phenyl part of the guests penetrates the cavity of cucurbit[n]urils (n＝6～8) while phenyl and phenanthroline parts of the guests are located at the each port of a cucurbituril. Particularly, a cavity of cu-curbit[8]uril accommodates two of the guests.

Key words: phenanthroline derivative, interaction, host-guest complex, cucurbit[n]uril (n＝6～8)