Organizing mechanically interlocked molecules to function inside metal-organic frameworks.

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) exhibit unique functions in solution.
• Transferring MIMs' capabilities into the solid state is a significant challenge.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer versatile platforms for constructing advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze the integration of MIMs into coordination polymers and MOFs.
• To assess the potential of these hybrid materials as solid-state molecular machines.
• To discuss future directions for developing advanced solid-state functional materials.

Main Methods:

• In-depth review of existing literature on rotaxane- and catenane-based MOFs and coordination polymers.
• Analysis of material architectures and their observed properties, including molecular motion and supramolecular interactions.
• Evaluation of structure-property relationships relevant to molecular machine functionality.

Main Results:

• Two main classes of materials were identified: those with complex architectures but limited motion, and those exhibiting supramolecular properties or dynamics.
• Materials demonstrating relative motion between interlocked components serve as prototypes for solid-state molecular machines.
• Current materials show promise but often lack the full functionality of their solution-state counterparts.

Conclusions:

• The incorporation of MIMs into MOFs is a viable strategy for creating solid-state molecular machines.
• Further research is needed to enhance molecular motion and achieve sophisticated functions in these materials.
• This field holds significant potential for the development of advanced nanoscale devices and responsive materials.