A rotaxane synthesis based on stilbene photoisomerization. A photoswitchable catch and release process.
A [2]rotaxane, having (Z)-alpha-methylstilbene as a stopper, is (1) synthesized in good yield by using a (E)- to (Z)-stilbene photoisomerization process, and (2) dissociated by reverse photoisomerization from (Z)- to (E)-stilbene.