Synthesis of functionalized copillar[4+1]arenes and rotaxane as heteromultivalent scaffolds.

In this study, novel copillar[4+1]arenes were used as central heteromultivalent scaffolds via orthogonal couplings with a series of biologically relevant molecules such as carbohydrates, α-amino acids, biotin and phenylboronic acid. Further modifications by introducing maleimides or cyclooctyne groups provided molecular probes adapted to copper-free click chemistry. An octa-azidated fluorescent rotaxane bearing two distinct ligands was also generated in a fully controlled manner.