Unravelling the Roles of Solvophobic Effects and π···π Interactions in the Formation of [2]Catenanes Featuring di-(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Building Blocks.

A series of [2]catenanes has been prepared from di-NHC building blocks utilizing solvophobic effects and/or π···π stacking interactions. The dinickel naphtobiscarbene complex syn-[1] and the kinked biphenyl-bridged bipyridyl ligand L2 yield the [2]catenane [2-IL](OTf)4 by self-assembly. Solvophobic effects are pivotal for the formation of the interlocked species. Substitution of the biphenyl-linker in L2 for a pyromellitic diimide group gave ligand L3 which yielded with syn-[1] the [2]catenane [3-IL](OTf)4. This assembly exhibits enhanced stability in diluted solution aided by additional π···π stacking interactions. The π···π stacking was augmented by the introduction of a pyrene bridge between two NHC donors in ligand L4. Di-NHC precursor H2-L4(PF6)2 reacts with Ag2O to give the [Ag2L42]2 [2]catenane [4-IL](PF6)4 showing strong π···π stacking interactions between the pyrene groups. This assembly was readily converted into the [Au2L42]2 gold species [5-IL](PF6)4 exhibiting exceptional stability based on the strong π···π stacking interactions and the enhanced stability of the Au-CNHC bonds.