Stereoselective Synthesis of Topologically Chiral Knots and Links: Synthesis and Applications

Topologically chiral molecular knots and links represent a unique class of stereochemical architectures in which handedness is encoded by the global crossing pattern of an entangled framework rather than by a local stereogenic element. Their configurational robustness and shape-persistent chiral environments make them promising platforms for molecular recognition, catalysis, chiroptical response, and spin-selective transport. This review summarizes recent progress in the stereoselective synthesis of topologically chiral knots and links, with emphasis on chirality transfer from point, axial and helical elements into persistent topological handedness. Major synthetic strategies are organized into helicity-driven approaches, template-free dynamic systems, coordination-driven self-assembly, and chiral self-sorting. The applications of knots in host–guest confinement, asymmetric catalysis, chiral recognition, and spin-selective transport are also discussed.