Motions In Catenanes And Rotaxanes.

Benzylic amide-based interlocked molecular architectures are becoming important players in the super-molecular field. They take the form of either catenanes or rotaxanes (which are not true supramolecular systems since the separation of the two independent molecules requires breaking of a chemical bond). Subsequent to their synthesis, much effort carried out by several groups has been aimed at measuring, understanding, controlling and directing the dynamics of unique degrees of freedom that arise from the formation of the mechanical bond between the two systems where either one ring is threaded through the cavity of another or the same ring is locked onto a dumbbell molecule. Here I present a review of the computer modeling performed in recent years on these systems with the final aim of discussing the recent unidirectional rotation that has been achieved for a very special catenane composed by three interlocked rings. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]