Homo- and hetero-[3]rotaxanes with two pi-systems clasped in a single macrocycle.

Journal article

Here we present the first synthesis of a [3]rotaxane with two dumbbell components threaded through a single gamma-cyclodextrin macrocycle. This synthesis is carried out in two steps: first one dumbbell is synthesized threaded through the macrocycle to give a [2]rotaxane, then a second dumbbell is synthesized through the remaining cavity of the [2]rotaxane. We have synthesized a hetero- [3]rotaxane with one stilbene and one cyanine dye threaded through gamma-cyclodextrin, which exhibits quantitative energy transfer between the two encapsulated dyes. The stilbene [2]rotaxane intermediate in this synthesis has a remarkably high affinity for suitably shaped hydrophobic guests in aqueous solution, facilitating the synthesis of [3]rotaxanes and suggesting possible applications in sensors.

Authors: Klotz, E; Claridge, T; Anderson, H

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
• Volume: 128
• Issue: 48
• Pages: 15374-15375
• Publication date: 2006-12-01
• DOI: 10.1021/ja0665139
• EISSN: 1520-5126
• ISSN: 0002-7863
• Language: English