Cyclic [2]pseudorotaxane tetramers consisting of two rigid rods threaded through two bis-macrocycles: copper(I)-templated synthesis and X-ray structure studies.

Variously substituted coordinating rigid rods have been synthesized which incorporate a central 4,7-phenanthroline nucleus attached to two 2-pyridyl groups via its 3 and 8 positions, so as to yield bis-bidentate chelates, the two-coordinating axes of the chelates being parallel to one another. Regardless of the nature of the substituents borne by the rods, the copper(I)-induced threading reaction of two such rods through the rings of two bis-macrocycles affords in a quantitative yield the 4-copper(I) threaded assembly. The [2]pseudorotaxane tetramers thus obtained have been fully characterized in solution and, for one of them, an X-ray structure could be obtained, confirming the threaded nature of the complex and providing important structural information.