| abstract |
The present invention relates to mechanically interlocked, air-stable, persistent organic radicals. The radical compositions can access a multiplicity of radical cationic redox states as well as a fully cationic redox state. A composition comprises a first ring mechanically nested with a second ring or a salt thereof, the first ring comprising a 4,4'-bipyridinium subunit or a derivative thereof and a diazapyrenium subunit or a derivative thereof thereof and the second cycle comprising a 4,4'-bipyridinium subunit or a derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the second cycle further comprises a diazapyrenium subunit or a derivative thereof. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the compositions. |