Rotaxanes Capped with Host Molecules: Supramolecular Behavior of Adamantylated Bisimidazolium Salts Containing a Biphenyl Centerpiece.

Bisimidazolium salts with one central biphenyl binding site and two terminal adamantyl binding sites form water-soluble binary or ternary aggregates with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with rotaxane and pseudorotaxane architectures. The observed arrangements result from cooperation of the supramolecular stopper binding strength and steric barriers against free slippage of the CB7 and β-CD host molecules over the bisimidazolium guest axle.