Lanthanide cation-templated synthesis of rotaxanes

Abstract

The first lanthanide cation-templated synthesis of an interlocked structure is demonstrated through an interpenetrated assembly between a pyridine N-oxide threading component coordinating to a lanthanide cation complexed within a macrocycle. Stoppering of the pseudo-rotaxane assembly allows for preparation of the [2]rotaxane. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.