A Unique Non-catenane Interlocked Self-Assembled Supramolecular Architecture and Its Photophysical Properties

A novel, interlocked, self-assembled (M2L2)2 molecular architecture was constructed from an arene-Ru acceptor and a 1,4-di(pyridin-4-yl)buta-1,3-diyne donor. Two M2L2 units, with cavities of ∼7.21 Å, spontaneously interlock, with one unit encapsulating a twin in a non-catenane fashion. The dimeric host–guest complex thus formed is unique among two-dimensional self-assemblies and is stabilized by π–π interactions between the M2L2 units.