Knotting matters: orderly molecular entanglements

Abstract

We review recent progress in molecular knotting, the chemistry of orderly molecular entanglements. As complex nanotopologies become increasingly accessible they may play significant roles in molecular design.

Cation-Templated Assembly of 613 and 623 Metalla-Links

“…A synthetic method similar to that used for complex 2 was adopted to provide a deep-red crystalline solid using B′ (1.0 equiv, 62 mg, 0.05 mmol) and L 1 (1.0 equiv, 16.5 mg, 0.05 mmol), and the concentration of the methanol mixture is ca. 10 Preparation and Characterization of Metalla-Link 6 1 3 4. A synthetic method similar to that used for complex 1 was adopted to provide a dark-red crystalline solid, using [Cp*Rh(H 2 O) 3 ][(OTf) 2 ] (1.0 equiv, 29.5 mg, 0.05 mmol), sodium hydroxide (3.0 equiv, 6 mg, 0.15 mmol), B (3.0 equiv, 159 mg, 0.15 mmol) and L 2 ( Preparation and Characterization of Monocycle 5.…”

“…The synthesis of artificial knots and links has been of interest in synthetic chemistry since its introduction a century ago, − and mechanically interlocked and knotted structures in DNA have recently been found to play important roles in replication and transcription, ,− encouraging synthetic chemists to prepare such interesting molecules by utilizing basic chemical principles.…”

Structure, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Two Isomeric 2-Bromomethylpyridine Cu(II) Complexes [Cu(C6H9NBr)2(NO3)2] with Very Different Binding Motives

“…For the development of new interesting materials based on coordination compounds, polytopic or polyfunctional ligands are interesting candidates [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Both types can help to selectively assemble discrete mononuclear or polynuclear complexes [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], clusters [ 6 , 7 ], or coordination polymers [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ] including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [ 8 , 10 ] either by providing more than one coordination site (polytopic) or other functionalities (polyfunctional) enabling secondary interactions such as hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, π-stacking, or hydrophobic van der Waals interactions [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Additionally, the nature of the ligand combined with the h ard and s oft a cids-and b ases principle (HSAB) help in taming the quite flexible geometries of many 3D transition metals.…”

Stereoselective Construction of Chiral Linear [3]Catenanes and [2]Catenanes

“…The aesthetic appeal and functionality of interlocking structures in nature and in everyday life have led to great research interest in artificial mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) . Numerous intricate MIMs, including rotaxanes, molecular knots, catenanes, interlocked molecular cages, and other types of mechanically interlocked architectures, have been obtained by design or by chance.…”