Axially Chiral Catenanes and π-Electron-Deficient Receptors†

The design of a new class of chiral [2]catenanes is reported. The self-assembly of [2]catenanes comprising one or two 3,3′-bitolyl spacers in the π-electron-deficient component, and bis-p-phenylene-34-crown-10 (BPP 34 C 10) as the π-electron-rich component, is described. The X-ray crystal structures, together with solution-state dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopic studies, show that the degree of order characterizing the molecular structures is substantially different from that of the “parent” [2]-catenane, comprising cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) and BPP34C 10. When appropriately substituted in their ortho positions, bitolyl compounds can support axial chirality: the self-assembly of axially chiral [2]catenanes, comprising one or two 3,3′-disubstituted-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl spacers, has been achieved in good yields, showing that the introduction of the bulky, axially chiral spacer and the consequent distortion of the cavity of the π-electron-deficient component still permits good molecular recognition between the components leading to efficient catenane production. X-ray crystallography suggests that this recognition is driven by hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions between the complementary subunits. The hydroxyl groups on the chiral spacer were further functionalized as benzoyl esters in a [2]catenane as well as in the tetracationic cyclophanes; that is, chemistry can be done on these catenanes. The chiral tetracationic cyclophanes exhibit good enantiomeric differentiation toward the D- and L-enantiomers of aromatic amino acids in water and their N-acetylated derivatives in organic solvents.