Macrocycles (ePub)

Macrocyclic molecules contain rings made up of seven or more atoms.
They are interesting because they provide building blocks for
synthesizing precise two or three dimensional structures - an
important goal in nanotechnology. For example, they can be used to
develop nanosized reaction vessels, cages, switches and shuttles,
and have potential as components in molecular computers. They also
have applications as catalysts and sensors.

Macrocycles: Construction, Chemistry and
Nanotechnology Applications is an essential
introduction this important class of molecules and describes how to
synthesise them, their chemistry, how they can be used as
nanotechnology building blocks, and their applications. A wide
range of structures synthesised over the past few decades are
covered, from the simpler cyclophanes and multi-ring aromatic
structures to vases, bowls, cages and more complex multi-ring
systems and 3D architectures such as "pumpkins",
interlocking chains and knots. Topics covered include:

* principles of macrocycle synthesis

* simple ring compounds

* multi-ring aromatic structures

* porphyrins and phthalocanines

* cyclophanes

* crown ethers, cryptands and spherands

* calixarenes, resorcinarenes, cavitands, carcerands, and
heterocalixarenes

* cyclodextrins

* cucurbiturils

* cyclotriveratylenes

* rotaxanes

* catenanes

* complex 3D architectures, including trefoils and knots

Macrocycles: Construction, Chemistry and
Nanotechnology Applications distills the essence of
this important topic for undergraduate and postgraduate students,
and for researchers in other fields interested in getting a general
insight into this increasingly important class of molecules.