A halogen- and hydrogen-bonding [2]catenane for anion recognition and sensing†
Abstract
A mixed halogen- and hydrogen-bonding hetero-[2]catenane has been synthesised via an anion templated Grubbs' II-catalysed RCM clipping mechanical bond forming methodology. 1H NMR spectroscopy and fluorescence titration experiments demonstrated the interlocked catenane host to be capable of binding and sensing anions, in particular forming strong associations with acetate and dihydrogen phosphate.