A Triangular Macrocycle Altering Planar and Bulky Sections in Its Molecular Backbone

A triangular macrocyclic molecule has been synthesized which consists of substituted phenanthrene vertices interconnected by 1,3-diethynylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentane sides. The molecule is the very first example of exploiting the bicyclopentane motif in the construction of a shape persistent macrocycle's backbone. It carries new features such as bulkiness, nonconjugated σ-bonding, and a certain conformational flexibility due to its easy longitudinal rotation. We have used some of the features in order to rationalize the observed tendency of the compound to form films on various surfaces.