Mechanically Interlocked Chiral Self-Templated [2]Catenanes from 2,6-Bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) Ligands.

We report the efficient self-templated formation of optically active 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) derived homocircuit [2]catenane enantiomers. This represents the first example of the enantiopure formation of chiral btp homocircuit [2]catenanes from starting materials consisting of a classical chiral element; X-ray diffraction crystallography enabled the structural characterization of the [2]catenane. The self-assembly reaction was monitored closely in solution facilitating the characterization of the pseudo-rotaxane reaction intermediate prior to mechanically interlocking the pre-organised system via ring-closing metathesis.