New Synthetic Approach to Molecular Rods Using Cyclophosphazene-Based Oligospiranes.

A synthetic approach was developed to prepare a new type of highly functionalized inorganic-organic heterocyclic molecular rod (3a and 3b) consisting of cyclophosphazene and carbocyclic units. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 3a revealed that the molecular length was ca. 2.5 nm. The products of this high-yield process have the potential for derivatization via known phosphazene reactions.