A Kinetic Self-Sorting Approach to Heterocircuit [3]Rotaxanes

Iterative Synthesis of Oligo[n]rotaxanes in Excellent Yield

We present an operationally simple iterative coupling strategy for the synthesis of oligomeric homo- and hetero[n]rotaxanes with precise control over the position of each macrocycle. The exceptional yield of the AT-CuAAC reaction, combined with optimized conditions that allow the rapid synthesis of the target oligomers, opens the door to the study of precision-engineered oligomeric interlocked molecules.

A Kinetic Self-Sorting Approach to Heterocircuit [3]Rotaxanes

In this proof-of-concept study, an active-template coupling is used to demonstrate a novel kinetic self-sorting process. This process iteratively increases the yield of the target heterocircuit [3]rotaxane product at the expense of other threaded species.