Posted by This review of Prof. Akae reveals that the unique properties of the CD molecule exert a synergetic effect with the combination of the rotaxane framework and polymer material to introduce various exotic characteristics specifically induced in rotaxane-based materials featuring CD wheels, for instance, the changing/tuning of their hydrophilic/hydrophobic natures, the introduction of chirality, the formation of aggregates, and the introduction of electrochemical insulation via the thickness of CD. Thus, in addition to the inexpensiveness of the CD molecule, a great potential for new science can be derived from CD-based rotaxanes, which could be addressed by the further precise control of their structures. To implement a higher resolution of the structural control, the relevant studies must be approached from the aspects of rotaxane-based polymer and small rotaxane molecules, as they interact. Thus, the authors’ team has been developing an original system of a CD-based [3]rotaxane framework as an option for achieving a correlation between the inexpensive production and defined structures for rotaxane-based polymer materials. Although this is a still challenging task, it is essential to direct the study of CD-based rotaxanes to a precise synthesis rather than to stay in the currently dominant rough structural control to meet the existing demand for tailored-material production.
Yosuke Akae (2024) Cyclodextrin-based rotaxanes for polymer materials: challenge on simultaneous realization of inexpensive production and defined structures. Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 20, 3026–3049. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.20.252