Clippane: a mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) based on molecular tweezers

In this study we report the preparation of a new mechanically interlocked molecule formed by self-aggregation two metallotweezers composed pyrene-imidazolylidene gold(I) arms and pyridine-centered pentacyclic bis-alkynyl linker. The nature arises from presence bulky tert-butyl groups attached to sides pyrene moieties tweezer, which act as stoppers avoiding dissociation self-aggregated metallotweezer dimer once it is formed. By combining experimental techniques, were able confirm in solution, gas phase solid state. behavior substituted tweezer differs greatly form that shown lacking these groups, whose dimeric structure equilibrium with monomeric structure, therefore not showing any mechanical coercion avoids disassembly structure.