Stepwise Dissipative Control of Multimodal Motion in a Silver(I) Catenate.

Stepwise dissipative control of two distinct motions, i.e., shuttling and sliding, is demonstrated in a single multicomponent device. When [2]rotaxane 1, which acts as a biped, and deck 2 were treated with AgBF 4 /PhCH 2 Br+NEt 3 as chemical fuel, the transient catenate [Ag(1)] +  ⋅ [Ag 3 (2)] 3+ was instantly generated showing multimodal motion and autonomous return to 1 and 2. In the dissipative process, catenate [Ag(1)] +  ⋅ [Ag 3 (2)] 3+ cleanly transformed into the follow-up transient device (1) ⋅ [Ag 3 (2)] 3+ exhibiting only sliding motion. Two interference-free dissipative cycles proved the resilience and robustness of the process.