A [2]catenane displaying pirouetting motion triggered by debenzylation and locked by chloride anion recognition

Evans, Nicholas H. and Serpell, Christopher J. and Beer, Paul D. (2011) A [2]catenane displaying pirouetting motion triggered by debenzylation and locked by chloride anion recognition. Chemistry - A European Journal, 17 (28). pp. 7734-7738. ISSN 0947-6539

Abstract

Chloride locks the rings: Debenzylation of a chloride-templated N-benzyl pyridinium catenane, allows for a 180° “pirouetting” of the rings in the resulting neutral pyridyl catenane (see scheme). The catenane may be returned to its original co-conformation by chloride recognition as evidenced in solution and in the solid state.