Translational isomers of N-sulfonylated [3]catenane: synthesis and isomerization

Abstract

N-Sulfonylated [3]catenanes, which exist as two translational isomers, were synthesized. The X-ray crystal structure of the distal isomer of [3]catenane, which has higher symmetry, revealed hydrogen bonds involving the carboxylic acid moieties on the terminal rings. The thermodynamic parameters of the isomerization revealed that this hydrogen bonding influenced the isomerization process.