Aromatic sulfonate anion-induced pseudorotaxanes: environmentally benign synthesis, selectivity, and structural characterization.

Anion-induced molecular threading is an emerging strategy for generating mechanically interlocked molecular architectures. Herein, we report the preparation of two pseudorotaxane structures generated from aromatic sulfonate anions and a tetraimidazolium-containing macrocycle in organic media, as well as under environmentally benign aqueous conditions.