Mechanically interlocked molecules incorporating cucurbituril and their supramolecular assemblies

Mechanically interlocked molecules incorporating cucurbituril (CB6) as a molecular 'bead' and their supramolecular assemblies are described. An efficient synthesis of 1D, 2D and 3D polyrotaxanes with high structural regularity and molecular necklaces has been achieved by a combination of self-assembly and coordination chemistry. The functional aspects of these interlocked molecules and their supramolecular assemblies, including molecular machines and switches based on 2rotaxanes, a 2D polyrotaxane with large cavities and channels, pseudorotaxane-terminated dendrimers, and interaction of pseudorotaxanes containing polyamines and CB6 with DNA are also described.