catenane

chemistry

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July 21, 2026

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A catenane is a type of molecule composed of two or more interlocked rings, similar to links in a chain. This unique structure arises from the chemical linkage of atoms of the same element into chains, a property most notably exhibited by carbon atoms. The development of catenanes has been crucial in the field of molecular machines, enabling the creation of molecules that can perform mechanical work. For instance, scientists have engineered catenanes where one ring can rotate around another, and some can even extend and contract, mimicking muscle filaments. This concept of atoms linking into chains is known as catenation.12

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Jean-Pierre Sauvage
…created a molecular chain, [2]catenane. They found that a copper ion would attract a ring-shaped and a crescent-shaped part of a phenanthroline molecule. They added another crescent phenanthroline to the first crescent to make two linked rings with the copper ion in the middle and then removed the ion.
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…created a molecular chain, [2]catenane. They found that a copper ion would attract a ring-shaped and a crescent-shaped part of a phenanthroline molecule. They added another crescent phenanthroline to the first crescent to make two linked rings with the copper ion in the middle and then removed the ion.
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Fraser Stoddart
…interlocked molecule, known as a catenane, thereby helping to establish the field of mechanical bond chemistry. Stoddart’s research enabled the development of self-assembly processes and template-directed synthesis for the generation of a variety of mechanically interlocked molecules, the movements of which can be controlled. Such molecules have a wide range…
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…interlocked molecule, known as a catenane, thereby helping to establish the field of mechanical bond chemistry. Stoddart’s research enabled the development of self-assembly processes and template-directed synthesis for the generation of a variety of mechanically interlocked molecules, the movements of which can be controlled. Such molecules have a wide range…
Read More