Learn about the applications of this technology

WHAT ARE ROTAXANES?

Rotaxanes are also "mechanically linked" molecules, they consist of a "dumbell" shaped molecule, with a cyclic molecule linked around it inbetween the two ends. The two ends of the dumbell molecule are very big, and prevent the cyclic molecule from slipping off the end.

(above) A diagram of a rotaxane. Ref 3a

The usefulness of rotaxanes is due to the fact that there are a number of positions along the dumbell molecule that the cyclic molecule can attach to temporarily.The dumbell can be thought of as a train track, with the positions on the dumbell molecule as stations, and the cyclic molecule as the train.

A number of factors e.g. charge, light, pH etc. can influenece the position of the cyclic molecule on the dumbell. These properties can be used as switches in molecular computers, as we see in the next page.

The synthesis of rotaxanes can be controlled by the use of a blocking group, or a resin base to attach one end of the dumbell to.

click here to see a 3D image of a rotaxane (NOTE: external site)

Nanotechnology

...using catenanes, rotaxanes and more

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WHAT ARE ROTAXANES?

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