The solid-state self-organisation of a self-assembled [2]catenane

Abstract

The reluctance of a [2]catanane, comprised cf macrocycles incorporating π-donors and π-acceptors, to be catenated further to form a [3]catenane may be explained by the molecular arrangement revealed in the solid-state structure of the [2]catenane, which shows all aromatic units to be involved in intramolecular π-π stacking interactions; moreover, the molecules self-organise in the solid-state to form a quilt-like two-dimensional array by virtue of intermolecular π-π stacking interactions.