A Fluorescent and Switchable Rotaxane Dual Organocatalyst

Rotaxane organocatalysis presents a new direction toward controlled one-pot catalytic reactions. By combining molecular switches and catalysts, fluorescence and pH-responsive switching along with the exclusive selectivity of dual catalytic reactions are demonstrated. A newly designed [2]­rotaxane catalyst containing an anthracene group was used to visualize the catalytic reaction process upon switching the macrocycle.