Abstract The one-pot synthesis of a main chain-type polyrotaxane composed of axle molecules threaded through the macrocyclic units on the polymer main chain was achieved via the combination of cyclopolymerization and clipping procedures. The cyclopolymerization of an α, ω-diethynyl monomer bearing an isophthalamide moiety (1), which clips onto an axle component bearing a pyridiniumdicarboxamide moiety (2· Cl) ...