Cambiarenes: Single-Step Synthesis and Anion Binding of a Clip- Shaped Macrocycle with a Redox-Active Core

We report the synthesis of a novel macrocyclic host molecule that forms in a single step from commercially available starting materials. The core of the macrocycle backbone possesses two quinone rings and, thus, is redox-active. Host-guest binding involving the clip-shaped cavity indicates selective binding of pyridine N-oxides based of the electron density of and steric bulk of the anionic oxygen.