Molecular nanotopology-a term we coined recently-is a rapidly developing field of research that is emerging out of the confluence of chemical topology with the mechanical bond. By focusing on the increased research activities in this field, it is clear that a new discipline is ready to receive recognition in its own right. In this Mini-Review, we address the historical development of chemical topology and describe how the rational design and practical synthesis of molecular links and knots with mechanical bonds, together with interwoven extended frameworks, have led to the rapid establishment of molecular nanotopology as a discipline. Representative examples are highlighted in order to offer the reader an extensive overview of ongoing research. We spotlight the major challenges facing chemists and materials scientists and provide some pointers as to how molecular nanotopology is going to develop in the years ahead.
The current strategies for nanoelectrode functionalization usually involve sophisticated modification procedures, uncontrollable and unstable modifier assembly, as well as a limited variety of modifiers. To address this issue, we propose a versatile strategy for large‐scale synthesis of biomimetic molecular catalysts (BMCs) modified nanowires (NWs) to construct functionalized electrochemical nanosensors. This design protocol employs an easy, controllable and stable assembly of diverse BMCs‐poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composites on conductive NWs. The intrinsic catalytic activity of BMCs combined with outstanding electron transfer ability of conductive polymer enables the nanosensors to sensitively and selectively detect various biomolecules. Further application of sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine functionalized nanosensors achieves real‐time electrochemical monitoring of intracellular glutathione levels and its redox homeostasis in single living cells for the first time.
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