Ferrocene Rotary Switches Featuring 2‐Pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole “Click” Chelates

Abstract Three ferrocene‐based rotary switches featuring 2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole (pytri) “click” chelates have been developed. The rotors can be switched from a folded ( syn ) to extended ( anti ) conformation by the addition of [Cu(CH 3 CN) 4 ](PF 6 ) and 6,6′‐dimesityl‐2,2′‐bipyridine. This extension process could be reversed by the addition of 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) to sequester the Cu(I) ions. Disappointingly, the weakness of the pytri chelates prevented the development of an electrochemically switchable system.