Topological chirality limits

The structure of carbon nanotubes depends upon the orientation of the hexagons in the cylinder with respect to the tubule axis. The limiting orientations are zigzag and arm chair forms, Fig. 8B. In between there are a number of chiral forms in which the carbon hexagons are oriented along a screw axis, Fig. 8B. The formal topology of these nanotube structures has been described [89]. Carbon nanotubes have attracted a lot of interest because they are essentially onedimensional periodic structures with electronic properties (metallic or semiconducting) that depend upon their diameter and chirality [90,91]. (Note. After this section was written a book devoted to carbon nanotubes has been published [92], see also [58].)... 

Within Are model considered and in the limit of the described approximations, the code estimates a value (3 10" ° esu for most of the chiral CNT topologies. No regular dependence of f3 on CNT diameter, ranging from 7.7 to 19.68 A for the investigated topologies, has been found in simulations. 

Limitations on the application of hydrogen bonded capsular assemblies come from the poor stability of these assemblies in polar media compared to those held by covalent bonds. In an attempt to overcome these Umitations, Bohmer described the synthesis of a mechanically locked chiral bis-catenane based on calixarene capsules [55]. Inspired by this pioneering work, our group produced a mechanically locked hybrid tetraurea calix[4]arene-calix[4]pyrrole capsule 30 (Fig. 32.14) [56]. This catenated capsule displayed reversible encapsulation (i.e. reversible assembly of the urea belt). The two hemispheres of the capsule never dissociate completely due to the bis-catenated topology. 

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