Synthesis, structure elucidation and functionalization of sulfonamide [2]catenanes

Novel sulfonamide [2]catenanes were successfully prepared through a self-templation approach. The catenated skeletons were confirmed by traveling-wave ion-mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) combined with gradient tandem mass spectroscopy (gMS2). Moreover, two pyrene units were further introduced into the [2]catenane through the alkylation reaction of the sulfonamide moieties, resulting in the successful synthesis of a novel pyrene-functionalized [2]catenane which displayed a switchable optical output controlled by cation-induced conformation transformation.