A one-pot synthesis of constitutionally unsymmetrical rotaxanes using sequential CuI-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions

A one-pot sequential Cu-I-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) strategy is presented for the synthesis of constitutionally unsymmetrical cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene)based rotaxanes in good yields from simple starting materials. ne methodology consists of performing multiple CuAAC reactions to stopper a pseudo-rotaxane in a stepwise manner, the order of which is controlled through silyl-protection and Ag-I-catalyzed de-protection of a terminal alkyne. The methodology is highlighted by the synthesis of an amphiphilic branched [4]rotaxane. The methodology increases the ability to access ever more complicated mechanically interlocked compounds to serve in devices as sophisticated and functional molecular machinery.