Rotaxane Formation under Thermodynamic Control

Thermodynamic control operates in the synthesis of a [2]rotaxane based upon the dibenzylammonium ion/crown ether recognition motif. When dibenzo[24]crown-8 is added to an acetonitrile solution containing a diimine dumbbell-like component, the dynamic nature of the system (i.e., imine hydrolysis/reformation) offers the ring component access to the NH₂⁺ center, allowing the self-assembly of the corresponding “dynamic” [2]rotaxane to occur. The “fixing” of this [2]rotaxane can be achieved upon reduction of the imine bonds, affording a kinetically inert [2]rotaxane.