Pentafluorophenyl Esters as Exchangeable Stoppers for the Construction of Photoactive [2]Rotaxanes

Pillar[5]arene-containing [2]rotaxane building blocks bearing pentafluorophenyl ester functions have been prepared and stopper exchange reactions carried out to generate a wide range of [2]rotaxanes with amide, ester or thioester stoppers. Starting from a fullerene-functionalized pillar[5]arene derivative, this new strategy gave easy access to a photoactive [2]rotaxane incorporating a C-60 moiety and two Bodipy stoppers. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

By combining pillar[5]arene-containing [2]rotaxane building blocks with pentafluorophenyl ester functions, stopper exchange reactions can be carried out to generate a variety of [2]rotaxanes with different stoppers. This new strategy provides easy access to a photoactive [2]rotaxane containing a C-60 moiety and two Bodipy stoppers starting from a fullerene-functionalized pillar[5]arene derivative.