Formation of a hetero[3]rotaxane by a dynamic component-swapping strategy

Acid-catalysed scrambling of the mechanically interlocked components between two different homo[3]rotaxanes, constituted of dumbbells containing two secondary dialkylammonium ion recognition sites encircled by two [24]crown-8 rings, each containing a couple of imine bonds, affords a statistical mixture of a hetero[3]rotaxane along with the two homo[3]rotaxanes, indicating that neither selectivity nor cooperativity is operating during the assembly process.