Molecular crystal structure of a rotaxane. A rotaxane is a chemical compound composed of a linear molecular chain passing through a chainlike molecula

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Molecular crystal structure of a rotaxane. A rotaxane is a chemical compound composed of a linear molecular chain passing through a chainlike molecular ring. The entities that form rotaxanes, the linear and cyclic molecules, are bonded mechanically rather than chemically in what is called a topological bond. Rotaxane-based molecular compounds or molecular machines, have been interesting potential uses in molecular electronics, molecular switching elements and molecular shuttles. Shown is a crystal structure with an cyclodextrin macrocycle.

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Size: 5000px × 3750px
Photo credit: © ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bond, bonded, chain, chainlike, chemically, compounds, crystal, cyclic, cyclodextrin, electronics, linear, machines, macrocycle, mechanically, mechanics, micro, molecular, molecules, nano, nanomechanics, nanotech, ring, rotaxane, shuttles, structure, switching, topological