Interlocked Porphyrin Switches

We describe the synthesis of a series of interlocked structures from porphyrin–glycoluril cage compounds and bis(olefin)‐terminated viologens by an olefin‐metathesis protocol. The length of the chain connecting the olefin substituents with the viologen has a marked effect on the products of the ring‐closure reaction. Long chains give [2]‐ and [3]catenane structures, whereas short chains give a mixture of [3]‐, [4]‐, and [5]catenanes. For comparison several [2]rotaxane compounds were prepared. The interlocked catenane and rotaxane structures display switching behavior, which can be controlled by the addition of acid and base. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the switching processes have been determined by NMR spectroscopy.