Intermolecular aurophilic interactions facilitate assembly of a complex rotaxane in solution

We describe the formation of a complex [2]rotaxane both in solution and in the solid state. The rotaxane ring is composed of a cyclic trinuclear gold complex and the Au(PMe3)2+ rod is held in place by three aurophilic interactions to the ring Au atoms. The existence of the [2]rotaxane in solution is confirmed by VT-NMR and MS analysis.