rotaxanes
(rus. ротаксаны)
—
molecules consisting of a ring and an open chain threaded through the ring. Spatial groups at the ends of the chain do not let the ring and the chain disengage.
Description
The ring and the linear chain in rotaxanes are not chemically bound to each other and are held together by steric hindrance created by bulky end groups. Sometimes this is referred to as "mechanically bound". When a linear chain coils into a ring, catenanes are formed, i.e. molecules that have several rings threaded into each other. Rotaxanes may be composed of several rings.
Under certain conditions, a ring can reversibly migrate along the chain (see the Figure); this means that such rotaxanes can serve as molecular nanomechanical devices.
Under certain conditions, a ring can reversibly migrate along the chain (see the Figure); this means that such rotaxanes can serve as molecular nanomechanical devices.
Illustrations
Author
- Vadim V. Eremin
Sources
- Rotaxane// The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (in Russian), 3rd. Edition, 1969–1978.
- Steed J. W., Atwood J. L. Supramolecular Chemistry. 2nd Ed. — J. Wiley & Sons: Chichester, 2009. — 745 pp.