Synlett 1991; 1991(7): 459-461
DOI: 10.1055/s-1991-20760
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The Self-Assembly of a [2]Catenane

Christopher L. Brown* , Douglas Philp, J. Fraser Stoddart
  • *Department of Chemistry, The University, Sheffield S3 7HF, England
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Publication History

Publication Date:
07 March 2002 (online)

The template-directed synthesis of a [2]catenane, in which the interlocking rings are bisparaphenylene-34-crown-10 (BPP34C10) and a cyclobis (paraquat-p-phenylene) tetracationic macrocycle, is reported to occur when 4,4′ -bipyridine and 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)benzene are added to a solution of BPP34C10 in dimethylformamide. This remarkable act of self-assembly, which requires the coming together of five molecular components, is rationalised in terms of the mutual recognition properties displayed by the individual parts of a compound undergoing construction in a modular manner.