Polycatenanes

Many polycatenane-like structures in the crystalline state based on coordination complexes of inorganic compounds have been reported. Polycatenanes can be divided into four major classes, depending on the location and connection of the catenane subunits. In main chain polycatenanes, the catenane subunits are located in the polymer main chains. In side-chain polycatenanes the catenane subunits are pendant groups. Ring around the rosy polycatenanes are based on cyclic polymers onto which cyclic species are mechanically interlocked, and Polycatenane networks may be entirely or partially composed of catenane subunits. Poly[2]catenanes have the essential mechanically linked structure, and these simplest of polycatenanes can be prepared easily. A lot of tools such as NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, GPC, and FTIR, have been employed to characterize these novel polymers.