A [2]catenane containing an upper-rim functionalized calix[4]arene for anion recognition

A novel [2]catenane is synthesized in good yield from an upper-rim functionalized calix[4]arene macrobicycle and a nitro-substituted isophthalamide threading component in the presence of a chloride anion template via a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction. After halide anion template removal the resulting catenane host exhibits a high degree of selectivity for chloride in competitive organic solvent mixtures.