Small cavitand macrocycles from direct C-C coupling of s-aryltetrazine 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