Translational isomerism in some two- and three-station [2]rotaxanes

The series of [2]rotaxanes was generated based on a template-directed synthetic process involving the reaction of an excess resorcinol with benzyl bromide. The synthetic process for the self-assembly of the novel [2]rotaxanes with hydroquinone and resorcinol rings was characterized by the LiBr-mediated formation of a phenol intermediate. The reaction of the intermediate product with tosylate also led to the formation of the benzyl-protected compound which formed the symmetrical dumbell compounds.