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Abstract Macrocyclic conformations play a crucial role in regulating their properties. Our understanding of the determinants to control macrocyclic conformation interconversion is still in its infancy. Here we present a macrocycle, octamethyl cyclo[4](1,3-(4,6)-dimethylbenzene)[4]((4,6-benzene)(1,3-dicarboxylate) (OC-4), that can exist at 298 K as two stable atropisomers with C 2v and C 4v symmetry denoted as C 2v - OC-4 and C 4v - OC-4, respectively. Heating induces the efficient stepwise conversion of C 2v - to C 4v - OC-4 via a C s -symmetric intermediate (C s -OC-4). It differs from the typical transition state-mediated processes of simple C–C single bond rotations. Hydrolysis and further esterification with a countercation dependence promote the generation of C 2v - and C s -OC-4 from C 4v - OC-4. In contrast to C 2v - OC-4, C 4v - OC-4 can bind linear guests to form pseudo-rotaxans, or bind C60 or C70 efficiently. The present study highlights the differences in recognition behavior that can result from conformational interconversion, as well as providing insights into the basic parameters that govern coupled molecular rotations.

Abstract Molecular folding regulation with environmental stimuli is critical in living and artificial molecular machine systems. Herein, we described a macrocycle, cyclo[4] (1,3-(4,6-dimethyl)benzene)[4](1,3-(4,6-dimethyl)benzene)(4-pyridine). Under 298 K, it has three stable stiff atropisomers with names as 1 (C s symmetry), 2 (C s symmetry), and 3 (C 4v symmetry). At 393 K, 1 can reversibly transform into 2, but at 473 K, it can irrevocably transform into 3. At 338 K, 3 and (PhCN)2PdCl2 complex to produce the metal-organic cage 4. Only at 338 K does the combination of 1 or 2 and (PhCN)2PdCl2 create a gel-like structure. Heating both gels to 473 K transforms them into 4. In addition to offering a thermally accelerated method for modifying self-assembled systems using macrocyclic building blocks, this study also has the potential to develop the nanoscale transformation material with a thermal response.