Dynamic donor-acceptor [2]catenanes

Ognjeň S. Miljanić, J. Fraser Stoddart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Donor-acceptor [2]catenanes based on cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) as the π-acceptor ring have been used prominently in the construction of functional molecular devices. We report here their thermodynamically controlled synthesis from isolated π-donor and π-acceptor rings under the catalytic influence of tetrabutylammonium iodide. The initial nucleophilic attack of iodide ion, which opens up the π-acceptor ring, is followed by complexation to the π-donor ring and the subsequent catenation of the π-donor ring by the π-acceptor ring [2]catenane. The reaction is general in scope and proceeds in high yields, without giving rise to side-products.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)12966-12970
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume104
Issue number32
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 7 2007

Keywords

  • Mechanically interlocked molecules
  • Nucleophilic catalysis
  • Self-assembly

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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