Open questions in functional molecular topology

Abstract

Molecular knots are evolving from academic curiosities to a practically useful class of mechanically interlocked molecules, capable of performing unique tasks at the nanoscale. In this comment, the author discusses the properties of molecular knots, and highlights future challenges for chemical topology.

Knotting matters: orderly molecular entanglements

“…With molecular knots and links becoming accessible and the anchoring of synthetic strategies now rooted in mathematical knot theory, answers to the question ‘how?’ are becoming clearer and it is time for chemists to begin to answer ‘why?’ 141 Already it is evident that the restriction in conformation imposed by entanglement can be useful in catalysis and anion binding, and molecular weaving is a new frontier for materials fabrication, but what other uses are there? Among the many open questions in molecular nanotopology, we believe that the following are some of the most interesting and challenging:…”