Chiral Auxiliaries for the Synthesis of Mechanically Chiral Interlocked Molecules

Abstract

Mechanically interlocked Molecules (MIMs) such as rotaxanes and catenanes can be chiral, even when their covalent subcomponents are achiral, due to their 3D spatial arrangement, which the mechanical bond imposes. Examples of the resulting chirotopic mechanical stereogenic elements were identified as early as 1961 but the synthesis of mechanically chiral molecules remain challenging and their properties are still underexplored. Here we discuss chiral auxiliary strategies to access mechanically interlocked molecules in enantiopure form and place them in the context of previous and recent developments.