Formation of [3]catenanes from 10 precursors via multicomponent coordination-driven self-assembly of metallarectangles.

We describe the formation of a suite of [3]catenanes via multicomponent coordination-driven self-assembly and host-guest complexation of a rectangular scaffold comprising a 90° Pt-based acceptor building block with a pseudorotaxane bis(pyridinium)ethane/dibenzo-24-crown-8 linear dipyridyl ligand and three dicarboxylate donors. The doubly threaded [3]catenanes are formed from a total of 10 molecular components from four unique species. Furthermore, the dynamic catenation process is reversible and can be switched off and on in a controllable manner by successive addition of KPF(6) and 18-crown-6, as monitored by (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy.