Synthesis of [2]rotaxanes by the catalytic reactions of a macrocyclic copper complex.

We synthesized [2]rotaxanes by the reactions catalyzed by a macrocyclic Cu(I)-phenanthroline complex. The catalytic site was located inside the ring component so that the rotaxane could be selectively formed. A C-S bond-forming reaction and oxidative dimerization of alkyne was utilized for the efficient synthesis of a new series of [2]rotaxanes. [reaction: see text]