Abstract
The preparation of novel poly[2]catenanes by direct bonding of [2]catenanes was investigated. The monomeric catenanes were prepared by cycloamidation of 5-substituted N,N'-bis[(4-aminophenyl)methyl]isophthalamides (2) and sebacoyl chloride in highly dilute solutions. Polycondensation of dihydroxy[2]catenane (3b) and dicarboxy[2]catenane (3d) resulted in a product with a low degree of polymerization, and a considerable amount of cyclic dimer (7) was formed. The desired novel poly[2]catenane 8 was obtained by azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of diazido[2]catenane (3e) and diethynyl[2]catenane (3f). The number-average molecular weight of the poly[2]catenane was between 3 x 104 and 5 x 104.
