Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry
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Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry |
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| 144 | Bo. Z.; Schlüter, A. D. |
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| Abstract | After a considerable international effort with major contributions by Moore, Höger, and Tobe many nano-sized, shape-persistent cycles are now available. A couple of them have even been made available on a practical scale, which not only has to be considered a major achievement for synthesis but also lays the foundation for an in-depth investigation of their properties. The fact that these macromolecules have a well-defined and huge interior, which remains basically unchanged regardless of the respective environment, has already stimulated and will further nourish research in directions like transport, catalysis, and the so-called bottom-up approach to the nanosciences. This, however, is not to say that the story of how to synthesize nano-sized macrocycles has been completely solved. This very article raises a number of still open questions, which mainly deal with the lack of systematic comparisons of reaction conditions, structural factors, as well as incomplete characterization. It also makes it apparent that an easy accessibility on the gram scale is a distant goal. Tilley’s work impressingly shows, however, that this critical matter can be dealt with. Though his route is restricted to certain cases it will be the incentive for many groups to improve their syntheses and develop alternative strategies which in the end will be very fruitful for the entire area. The main paths into it, nevertheless, have been paved and within a time span of another five years or so, the property side will also have been developed to ripeness along the lines indicated |