Guest-dependent complexation of triptycene-derived macrotricyclic host containing one anthracene moiety with paraquat derivatives: construction of [2]rotaxanes

Mechanically interlocked molecular handcuffs

The field of mechanically interlocked molecules that employ a handcuff component are reviewed. The variety of rotaxane and catenane structures that use the handcuff motif to interlock different components are discussed and a new nomenclature, distilling diverse terminologies to a single approach, is proposed. By unifying the interpretation of this class of molecules we identify new opportunities for employing this structural unit for new architectures.

Mechanically interlocked molecules that employ a handcuff component provide a pathway to highly unusual structures, a new nomenclature is proposed which helps to identify opportunities for employing this structural unit for new architectures.