Fig. 7: Reactions of two types of wheel–axle assemblies with Cs⁺.

(i) The non-threaded assembly, nthr-L²Ni₂•G1•PF₆, readily dissociates into its components to give L²Ni₂•Cs⁺; (ii) The rotaxane-type threaded assembly, rot-L²Ni₂•G1•PF₆, remains intact in the presence of Cs⁺.