Dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric cyclic [2]catenanes were assembled directly from an one-pot Na+ ion-templated dynamic imine formation from suitable diamines and tetraaldehydes. Using NaBH4 to reduce the labile imono bonds of the cyclic [2]catenane oligomers, followed by methylation of the resulting secondary amines, allowed the isolation and characterization of these oligomeric cyclic [2]catenanes as stable covalently linked compounds.
