The first cationic water-soluble biphen[3]arene was synthesized and its host–guest complexation with sodium 1-hexanesulfonate was investigated, which was further used to change the aggregation of the amphiphilic guest in water.
![Graphical abstract: A cationic water-soluble biphen[3]arene: synthesis, host–guest complexation and fabrication of a supra-amphiphile](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C6RA18691B.jpg)
