Nitrate anion templated assembly of a [2]rotaxane for selective nitrate recognition in aqueous solvent mixtures

Abstract

The first nitrate anion templated assembly of an interlocked molecular architecture is demonstrated through the preparation of a [2]rotaxane. Removal of the discrete nitrate anion template from the [2]rotaxane reveals an interlocked host system capable of strong and selective recognition of nitrate, in aqueous–organic solvent mixtures, over a range of more basic mono-charged oxoanions.