A modular "toolbox" approach to flexible branched multimacrocyclic hosts as precursors for multiply interlocked architectures.

Tetralactam macrocycles can be functionalized by a variety of cross-coupling reactions. A modular "toolbox" strategy is presented that allows 1) several tetralactam macrocycles to be covalently connected with each other or with a central spacer, 2) the macrocycles to be substituted with or connected to different chromophores, and 3) metal-coordination sites to be attached to the macrocycles. With this approach a series of different oligo-macrocyclic hosts was obtained with great structural diversity and enormous potential for further functionalization.

Tetra- and octalactam macrocycles and catenanes with exocyclic metal coordination sites: versatile building blocks for supramolecular chemistry.

The synthesis of a new tetralactam macrocycle and the simultaneous formation of catenanes and larger octalactam macrocycles is reported. These species bear 2,2'-biquinoline moieties suitably positioned to bind a metal center at the outer periphery of the macrocycles. (1)H NMR chemical shifts permit the unambiguous distinction of transoid and cisoid conformations of the biquinoline moiety, thereby allowing an unequivocal identification of the catenane and octalactam structures, despite the fact that both have the same elemental composition and bear identical structural subunits.