Efficient synthesis of [2]- and higher order rotaxanes via the transition metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkyne

A novel end-capping method of pseudorotaxanes via the hydrosilylation of the alkyne of the axle terminal was developed. RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)(3) and RhCl(CO)(PPh3)(3) Complexes catalyzed the hydrosilylation reactions of the alkyne moiety of several pseudorotaxanes at ambient temperature to give the corresponding [2]- and higher order rotaxanes in high yields with excellent regio- and stereo selectivity. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.