biostudies-literatureUnknown104(32)Miljanic OSDonor-acceptor [2]catenanes based on cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) as the pi-acceptor ring have been used prominently in the construction of functional molecular devices. We report here their thermodynamically controlled synthesis from isolated pi-donor and pi-acceptor rings under the catalytic influence of tetra butylammonium iodide. The initial nucleophilic attack of iodide ion, which opens up the pi-acceptor ring, is followed by complexation to the pi-donor ring and the subsequent catenation of the pi-donor ring by the pi-acceptor ring [2]catenane. The reaction is general in scope and proceeds in high yields, without giving rise to side-products.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America12966-70https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC1941822biostudies-literatureDynamic donor-acceptor [2]catenanes.PMC1941822Miljanic OSStoddart JFfalseDynamic donor-acceptor [2]catenanes.Donor-acceptor [2]catenanes based on cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) as the pi-acceptor ring have been used prominently in the construction of functional molecular devices. We report here their thermodynamically controlled synthesis from isolated pi-donor and pi-acceptor rings under the catalytic influence of tetra butylammonium iodide. The initial nucleophilic attack of iodide ion, which opens up the pi-acceptor ring, is followed by complexation to the pi-donor ring and the subsequent catenation of the pi-donor ring by the pi-acceptor ring [2]catenane. The reaction is general in scope and proceeds in high yields, without giving rise to side-products.2007-01-01T00:00:00Z2007 Aug2025-04-05T10:05:15.27Z2019-03-27T00:13:40ZS-EPMC19418221767094110.1073/pnas.0704136104