TEMPLATE-DIRECTED SYNTHESES OF A BIS[2] CATENANE AND A BIS[2] ROTAXANE - TOWARDS SELF-ASSEMBLING POLYMERS

A conceptual approach towards self-assembling polymers is described in a couple of model experiments which both depend on the template-direc ted synthesis of two tethered cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) macrocycl es (i) in the presence of the macrocyclic polyether, bisparaphenylene- 34-crown-10, to give a bis[2]catenane and (ii) in the presence of a du mbbell-shaped compound, in which a linear polyether chain is intercept ed by a naphthalene unit and terminated by two adamantoyl groups, to g ive a bis[2]rotaxane.