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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

The Preparation and Properties of Thermo-reversibly Cross-linked Rubber Via Diels-Alder Chemistry
Published on: August 25, 2016
Diels-Alder active-template synthesis of rotaxanes and metal-ion-switchable molecular shuttles
James D Crowley1, Kevin D Hänni, David A Leigh
1School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
A synthesis of [2]rotaxanes in which Zn(II) or Cu(II) Lewis acids catalyze a Diels-Alder cycloaddition to form the axle while simultaneously acting as the template for the assembly of the interlocked molecules is described. Coordination of the Lewis acid to a multidentate endotopic 2,6-di(methyleneoxymethyl)pyridyl- or bipyridine-containing macrocycle orients a chelated dienophile through the macrocycle cavity. Lewis acid activation of the double bond causes it to react with an incoming "stoppered" diene, affording the [2]rotaxane in up to 91% yield. Unusually for an active-template synthesis, the metal binding site "lives on" in these rotaxanes. This was exploited in the synthesis of a molecular shuttle containing two different ligating sites in which the position of the macrocycle could be switched by complexation with metal ions [Zn(II) and Pd(II)] with different preferred coordination geometries.
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