Directional Ring Translocation in a pH‐ and Redox‐Driven Tristable [2]Rotaxane

Abstract We describe the synthesis and characterization of a [2]rotaxane comprising a dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 (DB24C8) macrocyclic component and a thread containing three recognition sites: ammonium (AmH + ), bipyridinium (Bpy 2+ ) and triazolium (Trz + ). AmH + and Bpy 2+ are responsive to fully orthogonal stimuli, pH and electrochemical, which allows to precisely control the directional translation of the macrocycle along the axle. A better understanding of the processes driving the operation of the system was obtained thanks to an in‐depth thermodynamic characterization. Orthogonal stimuli responsive tristable rotaxanes represent the starting point for the creation of linear motors and the development of molecular logic gates.