Cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene)-based [2]catenanes prepared by kinetically controlled reactions involving alkynes

[GRAPHICS] Charged donor-acceptor [ 2]catenanes, in which the pi-accepting cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) acts as a tetracationic template for the threading-followed-by- clipping of acyclic oligoethers, incorporating centrally a pi-donating 1,5-dioxynaphthalene ring system and terminated either by acetylene units or by acetylene and azide functions, are the products of copper-mediated Eglinton coupling and Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, respectively.