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Isomeric Squaraine‐Based [2]Pseudorotaxanes and [2]Rotaxanes: Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Their Tubular Structures in the Solid State
Author(s) -
Xue Min,
Su YongSheng,
Chen ChuanFeng
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201000773
Subject(s) - rotaxane , triptycene , chemistry , crystallography , two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , hydrogen bond , proton nmr , amide , supramolecular chemistry , stereochemistry , stacking , diastereomer , molecule , crystal structure , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry
Abstract On the basis of formation of [2]pseudorotaxane complexes between triptycene‐derived tetralactam macrocycles 1 a and 1 b and squaraine dyes, construction of squaraine‐based [2]rotaxanes through clipping reactions were studied in detail. As a result, when two symmetrical squaraines 2 d and 2 e were utilized as templates, two pairs of isomeric [2]rotaxanes 3 a – b and 4 a – b as diastereomers were obtained, owing to the two possible linking modes of triptycene derivatives. It was also found, interestingly, that when a nonsymmetrical dye 2 g was involved, there existed simultaneously three isomers of [2]rotaxanes in one reaction due to the different directions of the guest threading. The 1 H NMR and 2D NOESY NMR spectra were used to distinguish the isomers, and the yield of [2]rotaxane 5 a with the benzyl group in the wider rim of the host 1 a was found to be higher than that of another isomer 5 b with an opposite direction of the guest, which indicated the partial selection of the threading direction. The X‐ray structures of 3 b and 4 a showed that, except for the standard hydrogen bonds between the amide protons of the hosts and the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the guests, multiple π⋅⋅⋅π stacking and CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions between triptycene subunits and aromatic rings of the guests also participated in the complexation. Crystallographic studies also revealed that the [2]rotaxane molecules 3 b and 4 a further self‐assembled into tubular structures in the solid state with the squaraine dyes inside the channels. In the case of 4 a , all the nonsymmetrical macrocyclic molecules pointed in one direction, which suggests the formation of oriented tubular structures. Moreover, it was also found that the squaraines encapsulated in the triptycene‐derived macrocycles were protected from chemical attack, and subsequently have potential applications in imaging probes and other biomedical areas.