Exploiting recognition-mediated assembly and reactivity in [2]rotaxane formation.

A small molecular reaction network exploits recognition-mediated reactive processes in order to drive the assembly and formation of both a self-replicating linear template (thread) and a [2]rotaxane, in which the linear template is encircled by a diamide macrocycle. Complementary recognition sites, placed at strategic positions on the reactive building blocks, drive these assembly and replication processes. Template-instructed experiments show that the thread is capable of efficient self-replication and that no cross-catalytic relationships exist between the thread and the [2]rotaxane.