Template-directed synthesis of donor/acceptor [2]catenanes and [2]rotaxanes

The synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecular compounds has advanced by leaps and bounds since the early days of statistical methods and covalent-directing strategies. Template-directed synthesis has emerged as the method of choice for the construction of increasingly complex and functional [2]catenanes and [2]rotaxanes. In particular, mechanically interlocked molecules employing pi-donating and pi-accepting recognition units have been produced with remarkable efficiencies and show great promise in technologies as diverse as molecular electronics and drug delivery.