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Chirality in rotaxanes and catenanes
E M G Jamieson1, F Modicom, S M Goldup
1Chemistry, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. s.goldup@soton.ac.uk.
Chemical Society Reviews
|May 26, 2018
Summary
Chiral mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) are increasingly important. This review covers stereogenic units in catenanes and rotaxanes, their applications, and stereochemistry assignment methods.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Chiral mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), including catenanes and rotaxanes, are a growing area of research.
- Enantiopure MIMs and their unique stereogenic units are crucial for advanced applications but are currently under-represented.
- The inherent chirality of the mechanical bond is often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss diverse stereogenic units investigated in chiral catenanes and rotaxanes.
- To highlight applications of these chiral MIMs in catalysis, sensing, and materials science.
- To review methods for assigning absolute stereochemistry in MIMs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of chiral catenanes and rotaxanes.
- Analysis of stereogenic units unique to mechanical bonds.
- Discussion of stereochemistry assignment techniques.
Main Results:
- Identification of various stereogenic units in mechanically interlocked molecules.
- Examples of applications in catalysis, sensing, and materials.
- Overview of methods for determining absolute configuration.
Conclusions:
- Chiral MIMs are gaining prominence due to new applications and synthetic methods.
- Further development in accessing and characterizing enantiopure MIMs is essential.
- Understanding and controlling chirality in MIMs will drive future innovations.
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