Selenoureido Calix[6]arenes: A Novel Platform for Pseudorotaxane Synthesis

Heteroditopic calix[6]arenes are widely employed macrocycles for the synthesis of pseudo-oriented interlocked systems and stimuli-induced molecular machines, among others. Herein, we introduce a new calix[6]arene receptor functionalised with three phenylselenoureido groups. These hydrogen-bonding donor moieties are able to promote the threading of viologen-based organic axles inside the macrocyclic cavity to form a stable pseudorotaxane species. Preliminary investigations using 1H-NMR measurements and semi-empirical and DFT studies suggested its further use as a platform for the synthesis of rotaxanes.We described the synthesis and characterisation of a heteroditopic calix[6]arene receptor functionalised with three phenyl selenoureido groups at the upper rim of the macrocycle. A detailed investigation using NMR, DFT, UV-Vis and cyclic voltammetry suggested its use as a novel platform for pseudorotaxane synthesis. image