Template-directed synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecular bundles using dynamic covalent chemistry

Mixing the dipyrido[24] crown-8 derivatives carrying one or two formyl group(s) on the 4 position(s) of their pyridine ring(s) with a 3symmetrical trisammonium ion template in a 3: 1 ratio in CD3NO2 results in the formation of thermodynamically stable [4] which, upon addition of a 1,3,5-trisaminobenzene cap, form mechanically interlocked molecular bundles with one and two caps, by virtue of dynamic imine bond formation.