Mechanically Interlocked Chiral Self‐Templated [2]Catenanes from 2,6‐Bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine (btp) Ligands

We report the efficient self‐templated formation of optically active 2,6‐bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine (btp) derived homocircuit [2]catenane enantiomers. This represents the first example of the enantiopure formation of chiral btp homocircuit [2]catenanes from starting materials consisting of a classical chiral element; X‐ray diffraction crystallography enabled the structural characterization of the [2]catenane. The self‐assembly reaction was monitored closely in solution facilitating the characterization of the pseudo‐rotaxane reaction intermediate prior to mechanically interlocking the pre‐organised system via ring‐closing metathesis.