Recognition of Bipyridinium-Based Derivatives by Hydroquinone- and/or Dioxynaphthalene-Based Macrocyclic Polyethers: From Inclusion Complexes to the Self-Assembly of [2]Catenanes†

A range of π-electron-rich macrocyclic polyethers incorporating dioxybenzene (hydroquinone) and/or dioxynaphthalene units have been synthesized in good yields by simple two-step procedures. These macrocycles are able to bind bipyridinium-based guests as a result of a series of cooperative noncovalent bonding interactions. These molecular recognition events can be extended to the self-assembly of [2]catenanes incorporating the bipyridinium-based cyclophane, cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene), and the macrocyclic polyethers incorporating dioxybenzene and -naphthalene units. The efficiencies of these self-assembly processes were found to depend upon the stereoelectronic features of the π-electron-rich macrocyclesnamely, the nature and the substitution pattern of the aromatic units. X-ray crystallographic analysis of some of these [2]catenanes proved unequivocally the relative geometries of the interlocked components. In addition, in the case of those asymmetric [2]catenanes incorporating two different aromatic u...