Mechanical bond
Encyclopedia
The mechanical bond is a type of chemical bond
found in mechanically-interlocked molecular architectures
such as catenane
s and rotaxane
s. Unlike classical molecular structures, interlocked molecules consist of two or more separate components which are not connected by chemical (i.e. covalent) bonds. These structures are true molecules and not a supramolecular species, as each component is intrinsically linked to the other – resulting in a mechanical bond which prevents dissociation without cleavage of one or more covalent bonds. “Mechanical bond” is a relatively new term and at this point has limited usage in chemical literature relative to more well established bonds, such as covalent, hydrogen, or ionic bonds.
Chemical bond
A chemical bond is an attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances that contain two or more atoms. The bond is caused by the electromagnetic force attraction between opposite charges, either between electrons and nuclei, or as the result of a dipole attraction...
found in mechanically-interlocked molecular architectures
Mechanically-interlocked molecular architectures
Mechanically interlocked molecular architectures are connections of molecules not through traditional bonds, but instead as a consequence of their topology. This connection of molecules is analogous to keys on a key chain loop. The keys are not directly connected to the key chain loop but they...
such as catenane
Catenane
A catenane is a mechanically-interlocked molecular architecture consisting of two or more interlocked macrocycles. The interlocked rings cannot be separated without breaking the covalent bonds of the macrocycles. Catenane is derived from the Latin catena meaning "chain"...
s and rotaxane
Rotaxane
A rotaxane is a mechanically-interlocked molecular architecture consisting of a "dumbbell shaped molecule" which is threaded through a "macrocycle" . The name is derived from the Latin for wheel and axle...
s. Unlike classical molecular structures, interlocked molecules consist of two or more separate components which are not connected by chemical (i.e. covalent) bonds. These structures are true molecules and not a supramolecular species, as each component is intrinsically linked to the other – resulting in a mechanical bond which prevents dissociation without cleavage of one or more covalent bonds. “Mechanical bond” is a relatively new term and at this point has limited usage in chemical literature relative to more well established bonds, such as covalent, hydrogen, or ionic bonds.
External links
- "An introduction to catenanes and rotaxanes" http://www.s119716185.websitehome.co.uk/home/rotcatintro.html
- Introduction to rotaxanes
- The Nature of the Mechanical Bond James Fraser StoddartJames Fraser StoddartSir James Fraser Stoddart is a Scottish chemist currently at the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University. He works in the area of supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology...
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