One‐Step Synthesis of a Fourfold Functionalized Catenane

One of the simplest catenane syntheses is the reaction described here providing tetra-methoxycatenane 1 (R = OCH3). This catenane is conformationally less flexible than its known, unsubstituted analogue (R = H): in the 1H NMR spectrum of 1 the two signals arising from the OCH3 groups indicate a fixed conformation with inner and outer methoxy groups.