Small cavitand macrocycles from direct C–C coupling of s-aryl tetrazine units

Abstract

s-Aryltetrazine subunits are assembled into macrocyclic tri- and tetramers through carbon–carbon bond formation via Ullmann homocoupling of bromophenyltetrazines. Short aryl-tetrazine linkages generate compact, rigid macrocycles with small internal cavities, alongside noncyclised linear analogues. Structural and electrochemical analysis reveal size-dependent redox behaviour and through-space electronic communication, highlighting novel tetrazine-based host architectures as redox-active systems.