Dimeric and Trimeric Catenation of Giant Chiral [8+12] Imine Cubes Driven by Weak Supramolecular Interactions

Mechanically interlocked structures, such as catenanes or rotaxanes are fascinating synthetic targets and are the basis of molecular switches and machines. Today, the vast majority of catenated structures are built upon macrocycles and only a very few examples of three?dimensional shape-persistent organic cages forming such structures are reported. However, the catenation in all these cases was based on a thermodynamically favoured π-π stacking under certain reaction conditions. Here, we present our findings that catenane formation can be driven by even less directional dispersion (Keesom) interactions of methoxy-groups during the synthesis of chiral [8+12] imine cubes, giving dimeric and also for the first time trimeric catenated organic cages. To further elucidate the underlying driving forces, twelve differently 1,4-substituted benzene dialdehydes have been reacted with a chiral triamino tribenzotriquinacene under various conditions to study whether monomeric cages or catenated cage dimers are the preferred products.