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MOLECULAR TOPOLOGY

Untangling knotty problems

Nature Chemistry volume 13, pages 114–116 (2021)Cite this article

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The synthesis of molecular knots has been a major achievement in the field of chemical topology, but only a few relatively simple ones have been made so far. A route based on a weaving approach has now been used to make a seven-crossing knot and could offer a route to more complicated structures.

Knots are pervasive throughout human history and they remain just as relevant today; their entwined structures enable the weave of fishing nets to be secured, sails to be fixed to a mast, and the laces of shoes to be tied. Indeed, their ornate aesthetic beauty has led many cultures to use them to create iconographic symbolism in art and religion1. Knots are also found throughout nature, where biopolymers exploit them in structural, dynamic and/or functional roles2. However, as many a young child or budding sailor will attest, tying knots is difficult! This is especially true at the molecular level where only a small number of the simpler synthetic molecular knots have ever been created3. Now, writing in Nature Chemistry4, a team led by David Leigh has applied a weaving strategy to realize the formation of a seven-crossing 74 molecular knot possessing a non-privileged topology. This grid-based approach will put previously inaccessible knot topologies and woven polymer materials within reach.

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Fig. 1: Strategies to make molecular knots.

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  1. Twitter: @PaulEKruger

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, Acton, Australia

    Dan Preston

  2. MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Paul E. Kruger

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  1. Dan Preston
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  2. Paul E. Kruger
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Correspondence to Paul E. Kruger.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Preston, D., Kruger, P.E. Untangling knotty problems. Nat. Chem. 13, 114–116 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-020-00630-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-020-00630-w

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