Catenanes Mobius strip approach

Independent interpretation of mass spectroscopic data by Wolovsky 66> and Ben-Efraim, Batich, and Wasserman 6 ) indicate that cyclic olefins subjected to disproportionation conditions form interlocking rings (catenanes) as well as cyclopolyolefins. The proposed scheme involves four-center transition state and Mobius-Strip approach... 

Fig. 9 The Mobius strip approach to catenane synthesis. The number of half-twists in the strip determine the topology of the product after it is cut down the middle. Two half-twists would afford a [2]catenane. Reproduced with permission from [54] (copyright 1985 Elsevier)...

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