Synthesis of rotacatenanes by the combination of Cu-mediated threading reaction and the template method: the dual role of one ligand

Rotacatenanes were synthesized by the catalytic reaction using a macrocyclic phenanthroline-CuI complex followed by the installation of another ring by the template method. In this approach, the size of the ring component of the rotaxane turns out to be a very important factor for the synthesis of rotacatenanes.