Inorganic Chemistry, Vol.46, No.21, 8445-8447, 2007
[2]pseudorotaxane and [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles: Self-assembly through second-sphere coordination of thiocyanate ligands
A Pd(PY)(2)(SCN)(2) complex is shown to form a [2]pseudorotaxane complex with a macrocyclic tetralactam, which binds in the solid state through an unexpected complexation geometry. The intermolecular complexation is further applied to template the formation of a [2]rotaxane. The interlocked product acts as a degenerate molecular shuttle in solution, which is consistent with the coconformation observed in the solid state.