Work

Mechanically interlocked molecules consisting of radially conjugated macrocycles

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Macrocycles serve as key building blocks for mechanically interlocked molecules. Incorporating novel macrocyclic motifs into interlocked topologies not only expands structural diversity but also unlocks emergent properties. This review summarizes mechanically interlocked molecules derived from radially conjugated macrocycles, highlighting their innovative structural designs and synthetic approaches. The construction of these molecules requires precise control over mechanical bond formations while resolving considerable molecular strain inherent in the conjugated skeletons. Since the first successful synthesis achieved in 2018, significant advancements have been made in this rapidly evolving field. Herein, we categorize these developments by molecular topologies, including catenanes, rotaxanes, and knots, providing a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in this area.

Source: Nano Research

DOI: 10.26599/nr.2025.94907549

Authors: An Bu, Huan Cong

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,290

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China