A Short Covalent Synthesis of an All-Carbon-Ring [2]Rotaxane

While the current supramolecular syntheses of [2]­rotaxanes are generally efficient, the final product always retains the functional groups required for non-covalent preorganization. A short and high-yielding covalent-template-assisted approach is reported for the synthesis of a [2]­rotaxane. A terephthalic acid template core preorganizes the covalently connected ring precursor fragments to induce a clipping-type cyclization over the thread moiety. Cleavage of the temporary ester bonds that connect the ring and thread fragments liberates the [2]­rotaxane.