Modular Synthesis of Improbable Rotaxanes with All-Benzene Scaffolds
An Bu1, Jia-Nan Gao1, Yiming Chen1
1Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
Abstract:
"Improbable" rotaxanes consisting of interlocked conjugated components represent non-trivial synthetic targets, not to mention those with all-benzene scaffolds. Herein, a modular synthetic strategy has been established using an isolable azo-linked pre-rotaxane as the core module, in which the azo group functions as a tracelessly removable template to direct mechanical bond formations. Through versatile connections of the pre-rotaxane and other customizable modules, [2]- and [3]rotaxanes derived from all-benzene scaffolds have been accomplished, demonstrating the utility and potential of the synthetic design for all-benzene interlocked supramolecules.
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