Break it down: Gels formed from rotaxane cross‐linkers with end groups that are size‐complementary to the macrocyclic cavity of wheel components (see picture) were prepared. The network structure was maintained in polar organic solvents or in the presence of a base to prevent hydrogen bonding. Anion exchange enabled the selective and efficient de‐cross‐linking of the gels.
moved over the proximate neopentyl group to deconstruct the interlocked structure. The wheel component in the rotaxane, however, quantitatively moved against the proximate end-cap by the action of trifluoroaceticanhydride in the presence of excess triethylamine. This motion, which was driven by the simple one-shot acylation reaction, can be referred as the active transport. When the distant end-cap is