Heterobifunctional rotaxanes serve as efficient catalysts for the addition of malonates to Michael acceptors. We report a series of four different heterobifunctional rotaxanes, featuring an amine‐based thread and a chiral 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐phosphoric‐acid‐based macrocycle. High‐level DFT calculations provided mechanistic insights and enabled rational catalyst improvements, leading to interlocked catalysts that surpass their non‐interlocked counterparts in terms of reaction rates and stereoselectivities.

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Interlocked molecules, such as rotaxanes, catenanes, and molecular knots, offer conceptually new possibilities for the generation of chiral chemosensors and catalysts. Due to the presence of the mechanical or topological bond, interlocked molecules can be used to design functional systems with unprecedented features, such as switchability and deep binding cavities. In addition, classical elements of chirality can be supplemented with mechanical or topological chirality, which have so far only scarcely been employed as sources of chirality for stereoselective applications. This minireview discusses recent examples in this emerging area, showing that the application of chiral interlocked molecules in sensing and catalysis offers many fascinating opportunities for future research.1 Introduction2 Interlocked Molecules with Chiral Subcomponents2.1 Point Chirality2.2 Axial Chirality3 Mechanically Chiral Interlocked Molecules4 Topologically Chiral Interlocked Molecules5 Outlook