The Two‐Step Self‐Assembly of [4]‐ and [5]Catenanes

Advances through very specific techniques for template-directed synthesis and analysis is the name of the game for oligo- and polycatenanes. Under high pressure and with the support of donor–acceptor association phenomena, it was possible to synthesize a [4]-(schematic view shown here) and a [5]catenane. These chains—in the true sense!—are interesting starting units for a series of new polymers. Modern mass spectrometric techniques were essential for their characterization.