Anion Modulated Expression of Chirality in Hydrogen Bond Templated Mechanically Chiral [2]Rotaxanes

Spicer, Rebecca L. and Shearman, Curtis C. and Evans, Nicholas H. (2023) Anion Modulated Expression of Chirality in Hydrogen Bond Templated Mechanically Chiral [2]Rotaxanes. Chemistry - A European Journal, 29 (21): e202203502. ISSN 0947-6539

Abstract

The syntheses of two novel mechanically chiral rotaxanes containing urea and squaramide motifs (in yields of 33 % and 22 %, respectively) are presented. 1H NMR spectroscopic titrations reveal shuttling of the macrocycle – detectable by modulation of the expression of mechanical chirality in the NMR spectrum – is possible through the addition of achiral chloride anions, a process which is reversed by the addition of sodium cations.