Multiple catenanes derived from calix[4]arenes.

Wang, Leyong; Vysotsky, Myroslav O; Bogdan, Anca; Bolte, Michael; Böhmer, Volker · Science · 2004

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A multicatenane is described in which two belts consisting of four annelated rings attached to the wide rims of two calix[4]arenes are interwoven in such a way that each ring of one belt penetrates two adjacent rings of the other belt and vice versa. The key step of the synthesis of this [8]catenane is the exclusive formation of preorganized heterodimers between a multimacrocyclic tetraurea calix[4]arene and an "open-chain" tetraurea calix[4]arene containing eight omega-alkenyl groups. When a tetraurea calix[4]arene containing four alkenyl groups is used, a bis-[3]catenane is formed analogously.