Threaded structures based on the recognition of 1,5-dinaphtho-crown ethers to paraquat and vinylogous viologen derivatives: host–guest complexations, X-ray crystal structures, and self-assembly superstructures

Host–guest complexation between two 1,5-dinaphtho-crown ethers and two paraquat derivatives has been studied. By self-assembly of 1,5-dinaphtho-44-crown-12 (DNP44C12) 1 with vinylogous viologen 4, a linear [2]pseudorotaxane array forms in the solid state by PF6− anion linkages. Moreover, the complexation between 1,5-dinaphtho-50-crown-14 (DNP50C14) 2 and paraquat 3 also leads to the formation of a linear [2]pseudorotaxane superstructure in the solid state driven by π–π stacking.