Raman and far infrared characterization of the simplest Benzylic Amide [2] Cantenane

The Benzylic Amide [2] Catenane (CAT1) is the simplest member of a family of supramolecules prepared by self-assembly synthesis and discovered at UMIST. The molecular system consists of 136 atoms forming two identical macrocycles mechanically interlocked. This unique structural property allows novel mechanical and electronic interactions that modify the properties of the Catenane with respect to the macrocycle monomer. In particular, a circumrotational motion of the two interlocked rings has been found in solution of CAT1 by NMR spectroscopy. In this work we report on Raman and Far Infrared experiments on polycrystalline CAT1 with the aim of contributing to the understanding of the basic mechanism of the intra-ring rotation of Catenanes.