Isolation by crystallization of translational isomers of a bistable donor-acceptor [2]catenane

The template-directed synthesis of a bistable donor-acceptor [2]catenane wherein both translational isomers - one in which a tetrathiafulvalene unit in a mechanically interlocked crown ether occupies the cavity of a cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) ring and the other in which a 1,5-dioxynaphthalene unit in the crown ether resides inside the cavity of the tetracationic cyclophane - exist in equilibrium in solution, has led to the isolation and separation by hand picking of single crystals colored red and green, respectively. These two crystalline co-conformations have been characterized separately at both the molecular and supramolecular levels, and also by dynamic NMR spectroscopy in solution where there is compelling evidence that the mechanically interlocked molecules are present as a complex mixture of translational, configurational, and conformational isomers wherein the isomerization is best described as being a highly dynamic and adaptable phenomenon.