Acceleration of [2]Catenane Formation by One of its Rings

[2]Catenanes were prepared from a crown ether, a diamine, and a diester in moderate to good yields in mild conditions by single-step, metal-free active template synthesis. The macrocycle first catalyzes the linear condensation of the diamine and the diester, then it accelerates the cyclization of the bifunctional thread and is incorporated in the catenane, as reported by Zhong et al. (https://doi.org/10.1002/anov.70004).