Selective transformation of a crown ether/sec-ammonium salt-type rotaxane to N-alkylated rotaxanes

Org Lett. 2010 Feb 19;12(4):712-5. doi: 10.1021/ol902719m.

Abstract

Versatile functionalization of a crown ether/sec-ammonium salt-type rotaxane was accomplished. The rotaxane underwent reductive N-alkylation with sodium tri(acyloxy)borohydride or sodium tri(acyloxy)borohydride/arbitrary aldehyde in excellent yields. Structural switching based on reversible tert-ammonium/tert-amine conversion by acid and base was demonstrated as a pH-controlled molecular shuttle.