Organic Chemistry, Volume 22: Catenanes, Rotaxanes, and Knots provides information pertinent to the synthesis of catenanes and rotaxanes. This book discusses the manner of interaction between the molecular subunits in catenanes in the solid, liquid, and gaseous states. Organized into 19 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the idea of synthesizing molecules composed of separate entities that are mechanically connected to one another. This text then examines the stereochemistry and the other physical and chemical properties related to the mechanical connections in these compounds. Other chapters consider the determination of the absolute configuration of catenanes by extension of the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog rules. This book discusses as well the bond that mechanically connects the catenated rings. The final chapter deals with the model studies of the synthesis of knots, double wound rotaxanes, and higher linear catenanes. This book is a valuable resource for chemists, students, and research workers.

Synthetic polymers based on long chain molecules have been investigated intensively for over 50 years. They have found important applications as plastics, fibres, rubbers and other materials. The chain molecules may be simple linear structures or they may be branched or cross-linked. During the past decade, sharp fractions of the first synthetic cyclic polymer have been prepared. These fractions of cyclic poly(dimethyl siloxane) consist of ring molecules containing hundreds of skeletal bonds. Some of their properties have been found to be quite different from those of the corresponding linear polymers. Synthetic cyclic polymers, including cyclic polystyrene, have joined the naturally occurring circular DNAs as examples of substantially large ring molecules. This book aims to review current knowledge of cyclic polymers and biological ring macromolecules. In addition, it discusses theories of cyclic macromolecules and describes cyclization processes involving long chain molecules. Since 1865, when Kekule proposed a simple ring structure for benzene, larger and larger ring molecules have been synthesized in the laboratory and discovered in nature. Many more examples are to be expected in the future. In time, large ring molecules should take their proper place alongside long chain molecules as one of the two possible constituent structural units of polymers.

This journey through the fascinating world of molecular topology focuses on catenanes, rotaxanes and knots, their synthesis, properties, and applications and the theory of interlocking and interpenetrating molecules. Nearly one hundred years of progress have passed since Willstätter's speculative vision of a molecule consisting of two interlinked rings. But even today the synthesis of such structures are a challenge to the creativity of synthetic chemists. These molecules are not only of academic interest, since they occur naturally. In such molecules as DNA, knots and related topological features play a key role in biochemical processes. In addition, extensive research on the properties of polyrotaxanes and polycatenanes show potential applications as molecular magnets, wires or switches. Twelve international leading experts in the field present the broad and impressive spectrum of the topology of these molecules, from theoretical aspects and new pathways in synthesis to probing their properties. All researchers working in this interdisciplinary area, whether organic, inorganic or polymer chemists, as well as material scientists, will welcome this comprehensive and up-to-date work as an inspiring source for creative research ideas.

Cyclic Polymers (Second Edition) reviews the many recent advances in this rapidly expanding subject since the publication of the first edition in 1986. The preparation, characterisation, properties and applications of a wide range of organic and inorganic cyclic oligomers and polymers are described in detail, together with many examples of catenanes and rotaxanes. The importance of large cyclics in biological chemistry and molecular biology is emphasised by a wide coverage of circular DNA, cyclic peptides and cyclic oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Experimental techniques and theoretical aspects of cyclic polymers are included, as well as examples of their uses such as ring opening polymerisation reactions to give commercially important materials. This book covers a wide range of topics which should be of interest to many scientific research workers (for example, in polymer science, chemistry and molecular biology), as well as providing a reference text for undergraduate and graduate students.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

In additionto covering thoroughly the core areas of physical organic chemistry -structure and mechanism - this book will escortthe practitioner of organic chemistry into a field that has been thoroughlyupdated.

Helps to develop new perspectives and a deeper understanding of organic chemistry Instructors and students alike have praised Perspectives on Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry because it motivates readers to think about organic chemistry in new and exciting ways. Based on the author's first hand classroom experience, the text uses complementary conceptual models to give new perspectives on the structures and reactions of organic compounds. The first five chapters of the text discuss the structure and bonding of stable molecules and reactive intermediates. These are followed by a chapter exploring the methods that organic chemists use to study reaction mechanisms. The remaining chapters examine different types of acid-base, substitution, addition, elimination, pericyclic, and photochemical reactions. This Second Edition has been thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the latest findings in physical organic chemistry. Moreover, this edition features: New references to the latest primary and review literature More study questions to help readers better understand and apply new concepts in organic chemistry Coverage of new topics, including density functional theory, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, Marcus theory, molecular simulations, effect of solvent on organic reactions, asymmetric induction in nucleophilic additions to carbonyl compounds, and dynamic effects on reaction pathways The nearly 400 problems in the text do more than allow students to test their understanding of the concepts presented in each chapter. They also encourage readers to actively review and evaluate the chemical literature and to develop and defend their own ideas. With its emphasis on complementary models and independent problem-solving, this text is ideal for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in organic chemistry.