Active Templating by Mechanochemistry

In this paper, we demonstrate that the active-template synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecules can be achieved under mechanochemical conditions. The active-template copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) synthesis of a [2]-rotaxane afforded yields of up to 95% and reached completion more rapidly than analogous solution-phase reactions. These results show the compatibility of active templating with mechanochemical synthesis.