Raman and far infrared characterization of the simplest Benzylic Amide [2]Catenane

The Benzylic Amide [2] Catenane (CAT1) is the simplest member of a family o f supramolecules prepared by self-assembly synthesis and discovered at UMIS T. The molecular system consists of 136 atoms forming two identical macrocy cles mechanically interlocked. This unique structural property allows novel mechanical and electronic interactions that modify the properties of the C atenane with respect to the macrocycle monomer. In particular, a circumrota tional motion of the two interlocked rings has been found in solution of CA T1 by NMR spectroscopy. In this work we report on Raman and Far Infrared ex periments on polycrystalline CAT1 with the aim of contributing to the under standing of the basic mechanism of the intra-ring rotation of Catenanes.