Mechanochemical Synthesis of Pillar[5]arene-based [c2]Daisy Chain Rotaxanes

The Front Coverillustrates the solvent-free mechanochemical conditions used to functionalize daisy-chain assemblies. In their Research Article (DOI: 2500002), J.-F. Nierengarten and co-workers reveal the potential of mechanochemical conditions for the synthesis of pillar[5]arene-based mechanically interlocked nanostructures. Concentration effects are clearly beneficial when the reactions are performed under solvent-free conditions as daisy-chain assemblies are effectively present in the solid state despite the very weak tendency of the monomer to aggregate in solution. In other words, stoppered cyclic daisy-chain dimers that cannot be obtained in solution are now accessible.