Construction of Shape-Persistent All-sp 2 Square Macrocycles via the Formation of Multiple Imine Bonds
Abstract
][1,5]diazocine as rigid perpendicular units. Density-functional-theory calculations suggested that the formation of cyclic tetramers is thermodynamically favored. Accordingly, the acid-mediated formation of multiple imine bonds via the condensation of monomers bearing 2-aminobenzoyl groups afforded cyclic tetramers as diastereomeric mixtures in yields of up to 60%. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed square geometries with preserved panel planarity and tunable internal cavities. The strategy is applicable to a variety of panels (benzene, biphenyl, terphenyl, and pyrene), whereby panel rigidity controls tetramer selectivity. The thus-obtained square macrocycles exhibit reversible acid responsiveness and enable high-yield monomer recovery via acid hydrolysis─a unique recycling strategy currently unattainable to conventional cross-coupling methods. This study hence establishes a versatile platform for the construction of shape-controlled π-conjugated macrocycles with tunable properties.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
Synthesis and Properties of Aromatic Compounds
Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 148
- Issue
- 22
- Pages
- 22718–22725
- Publication date
- 1 June 2026
- Language
- EN