Multicomponent Pseudorotaxane Quadrilateral as Dual-Way Logic AND Gate with Two Catalytic Outputs

A multicomponent pseudorotaxane quadrilateral was reversibly toggled between three distinct switching states. Switching in the forward conversion was achieved by addition of H⁺ and K⁺ ions, and switching in the reverse direction was performed by addition of 18-crown-6 and 1-aza-18-crown-6. In both the forward and backward ways, the inputs operated an AND gate with distinct catalytic outputs. While in the forward direction the logic AND operation starting from a heteroleptic five-component assembly turned "ON" an imine hydrolysis as output (AND-1), in the inverse direction a Michael addition was ignited as the output starting from a seven-component aggregate following the AND gate logic (AND-2).