Aromatic sulfonate anion-induced pseudorotaxanes: environmentally benign synthesis, selectivity, and structural characterizationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental and X-ray crystallographic details. CCDC 1012717-1012722. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format form see DOI: 10.1039/c4cc08284b

Anion-induced molecular threading is an emerging strategy for generating mechanically interlocked molecular architectures. Herein, we report the preparation of two pseudorotaxane structures generated from aromatic sulfonate anions and a tetraimidazolium-containing macrocycle in organic media, as well as under environmentally benign aqueous conditions. Aromatic sulfonates allow the effective construction of anion-containing pseudorotaxanes from a tetracationic macrocycle known as the "Texas box" in organic media and under organic-free aqueous conditions.