Interlocked molecules are molecular architectures in which two or more molecules
connected by a mechanical bond. Well-known examples of interlocking molecules
are rotaxanes and catenanes. These interlocked molecules have properties that
could be beneficial for drug delivery and are useful in designing artificial molecular
motors. A description of the synthesis and characterization of pseudorotaxanes and
rotaxanes containing the macromolecular host cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]). The
synthesis of CB[n] rotaxanes was achieved through the addition of a triphenyl
substituent to a pentaethylene glycol chain(PEG) as a cap prior to binding with
CB[n](host). To complete the rotaxane the unhindered end of PEG was capped using
the same method. Characterization includes 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and binding studies of alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl pyridine guests by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy.