[reaction: see text] A series of diimide-based macrocycles have been prepared using Mitsunobu-mediated alkylation as the macrocyclization step. These macrocycles could not be incorporated into [2]catenanes using previously established building blocks and coupling methodology. However, when one of the macrocycle syntheses was conducted in the presence of a dinaphtho crown ether, catenane formation was achieved. This result is discussed in terms of the ability of the components to establish intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen-bonding contacts.

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A methodology for the enantioselective synthesis of planar chiral 2-substituted 1',2',3',4',5'-pentamethylazaferro- and azaruthenocenes is reported. The key step is the introduction of an enantiopure chiral sulfoxide auxiliary via a selective ortho-lithiation with subsequent chromatographic separation of the resulting diastereomers. Cleaving off the sulfoxide auxiliary by treatment with t-BuLi generates an optically pure anion which may be quenched with a variety of electrophiles to give the optically pure azametallocene derivatives. In addition, it was attempted to extend the methodology to encompass 1',2',3',4',5'-pentaphenyl derivatives. It was, however, not possible to attach the chiral sulfoxide auxiliary onto the pentaphenylated azaferrocene, and for the azaruthenocene case, only one diastereomer could be isolated. Most importantly, the sulfoxide group could be cleaved off and the resulting chiral azaruthenocenyl anion was quenched with paraformaldehyde and iodine, resulting in products with ee values of 85% and 99%, respectively.

[reaction: see text] Herein we report a very simple route that allows the construction of a variety of optically pure azaferrocenyl compounds. The key feature is the preparation of optically pure 2-azaferrocenyl anions, which can serve as precursors for the construction of novel chiral azaferrocenyl complexes.

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