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In-Depth Information
Fig. 24 Schill's all-
hydrocarbon [2]catenane
[
167
]
examples from Sect.
4.2
in Figs.
22b,e-f
,
23a,b,e,f
, to cite but a few. Though these
molecules look relatively simple, it is clear that an IUPAC name - if it could be
generated - would be far from simple, a testament to the growing importance of
images and their clarity, beauty, and so on.
Though we are, no doubt, aesthetically drawn to simple molecules - recall the
Platonic solids from our introduction - experiments are where the beauty of simplic-
ity truly shines. In this context, we often refer to simplicity as elegance. Instead of
unraveling a further list of simple MIMs, we wish to highlight elegance in MIM
experiments. We will break down elegance in the synthesis of MIMs into four broad
categories and provide important references and representative examples in each
case. This is our only section on experimental beauty and the list is by no means
exhaustive, but we hope it is at least a stimulating exercise for the reader.
4.3.1 Template Synthesis
Sauvage revived an all but forsaken discipline by introducing templates for
synthesizing MIMs. His solution (Fig.
25
) of using transition metals to position
organic precursors appropriately to interlock them in subsequent reactions, which
Fig. 25 Sauvage's conceptual drawing explaining the first template-directed synthetic strategies
for synthesizing MIMs. A tetrahedral center orients U-shaped species appropriately for subsequent
ring-closure, resulting in a catenate. Reprinted with permission from [
72
] (copyright 1983
Elsevier)
