Three protocols for the formation of a [3]pseudorotaxane via orthogonal cryptand-based host-guest recognition and coordination-driven self-assembly.

A novel bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptand 1 with a pyridine nitrogen atom outside on the third arm was designed and synthesized. Subsequently, host-guest complexation between cryptand 1 and a selection of bipyridinium guests has been studied. More interestingly, the [3]pseudorotaxane 2 is a superset of 5(2) was obtained in three methods by utilizing the noninterfering orthogonal nature of coordination-driven self-assembly and host-guest interactions.