This journey through the fascinating world of molecular topology focuses on catenanes, rotaxanes and knots, their synthesis, properties, and applications and the theory of interlocking and interpenetrating molecules. Nearly one hundred years of progress have passed since Willstätter's speculative vision of a molecule consisting of two interlinked rings. But even today the synthesis of such structures are a challenge to the creativity of synthetic chemists. These molecules are not only of academic interest, since they occur naturally. In such molecules as DNA, knots and related topological features play a key role in biochemical processes. In addition, extensive research on the properties of polyrotaxanes and polycatenanes show potential applications as molecular magnets, wires or switches. Twelve international leading experts in the field present the broad and impressive spectrum of the topology of these molecules, from theoretical aspects and new pathways in synthesis to probing their properties. All researchers working in this interdisciplinary area, whether organic, inorganic or polymer chemists, as well as material scientists, will welcome this comprehensive and up-to-date work as an inspiring source for creative research ideas.

This series presents critical reviews of the present position and future trends in modern chemical research. It consists of short and concise reports on chemistry, each written by the world’s renowned experts, and still valid and useful after 5 or 10 years.

Organic Chemistry, Volume 22: Catenanes, Rotaxanes, and Knots provides information pertinent to the synthesis of catenanes and rotaxanes. This book discusses the manner of interaction between the molecular subunits in catenanes in the solid, liquid, and gaseous states. Organized into 19 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the idea of synthesizing molecules composed of separate entities that are mechanically connected to one another. This text then examines the stereochemistry and the other physical and chemical properties related to the mechanical connections in these compounds. Other chapters consider the determination of the absolute configuration of catenanes by extension of the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog rules. This book discusses as well the bond that mechanically connects the catenated rings. The final chapter deals with the model studies of the synthesis of knots, double wound rotaxanes, and higher linear catenanes. This book is a valuable resource for chemists, students, and research workers.

The construction of catalysts by supramolecular forces has recently become a powerful tool and the role of noncovalent interactions can assist in designing new tools for the construction of effective and selective catalytic systems. It is unquestionably, vastly important to understand how different noncovalent interactions can be controlled or manipulated under appropriate reaction conditions. Supramolecular catalysts have had a tremendous impact on the syntheses of both chemical commodities and fine chemicals over the last 50 years, leading to the discovery of new reactions that were previously deemed impossible. This means that supramolecular chemistry plays a predominant role in accelerating or understanding chemical reactions.This book which addresses the above points is written by some of the leading contributors in this field and is intended for graduate students, researchers and academics working in supramolecular chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry as well as researchers with an interest in the area of catalysis. The authors give examples illustrating the growth of the field, especially with special emphasis on new results published over the last decade. They also provide an explanation of fundamentals and topical research.

This book commemorates the 25th anniversary of the International Izatt-Christensen Award in Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry. The award, one of the most prestigious of small awards in chemistry, recognizes excellence in the developing field of macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry: How Izatt-Christensen Award Winners Shaped the Field features chapters written by the award recipients who provide unique perspectives on the spectacular growth in these expanding and vibrant fields of chemistry over the past half century, and on the role of these awardees in shaping this growth. During this time there has been an upsurge of interest in the design, synthesis and characterization of increasingly more complex macrocyclic ligands and in the application of this knowledge to understanding molecular recognition processes in host-guest chemistry in ways that were scarcely envisioned decades earlier. In October 2016, Professor Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Sir J. Fraser Stoddart (author for chapter 22 "Contractile and Extensile Molecular Systems: Towards Molecular Muscles" by Jean -Pierre Sauvage, Vincent Duplan, and Frédéric Niess and 20 "Serendipity" by Paul R. McGonigal and J. Fraser Stoddart respectively) were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside fellow Wiley author Bernard Feringa, for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.

The two-volume Encyclopedia of Supramolecular Chemistry offers authoritative, centralized information on a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field. User-friendly and high-quality articles parse the latest supramolecular advancements and methods in the areas of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, environmental and materials science and engineering, physics, computer science, and applied mathematics. Designed for specialists and students alike, the set covers the fundamentals of supramolecular chemistry and sets the standard for relevant future research.

The chapters in this volume describe bottom-up strategies and chronicle cutting-edge advances from several of the world’s leading laboratories engaged in the development of molecular machines. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016 was awarded jointly to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa "for the design and synthesis of molecular machines". Both Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Sir J. Fraser Stoddart have also contributed to this book.