Rotaxane: From Supramolecular Self - Organization to Molecular Devices

Rotaxanes are a class of supramolecules in which one or more macrocyclic molecules are threaded by one linear molecule with two big stoppers at its ends. Initially regarded as curiosities in chemical laboratory, these threaded molecular compounds are now being exploited in areas from supramolecular synthesis to molecular switching. This review introduces the recent research progress in this field.