Synthesis of Interlocked Compounds by Utilizing Bond-forming Reactions Mediated by Macrocyclic Phenanthroline-Cu Complexes

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of interlocked compounds such as rotaxanes and catenanes has been extensively studied for several decades. Recently, the catalytic activity of the macrocyclic metal complex was utilized to synthesize interlocked compounds. In this new approach, the bond-forming reaction proceeded inside the ring so that the interlocked structure could be synthesized efficiently. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the synthesis of interlocked compounds from phenanthroline-Cu complexes based on this strategy.