Anion-templated assembly of interpenetrated and interlocked structures

The rational development of a general anion templation strategy for the construction of a variety of interpenetrated and interlocked molecular structures based upon the coupling of anion recognition with ion-pairing is described. The success of this anion templation methodology is demonstrated with the halide anion directed assembly of a series of novel 2]pseudorotaxanes containing pyridinium, pyridinium nicotinamide, imidazolium, benzimidazolium and guanidinium threading components and anion binding macrocyclic ligands. Interlocked 2]rotaxane and 2]catenane molecular structures are also synthesised using this anion templation protocol. These interlocked structures feature unique topologically defined hydrogen bond donating binding domains that exhibit a high degree of selectivity for chloride, the templating anion. A series of rhenium(I) bipyridyl containing 2]pseudorotaxane assemblies and a 2]rotaxane further highlight the potential this strategic anion templation approach has in future chemical sensor design and fabrication.