Transition metal-containing molecular machines

J.-P. Sauvage, Transition Metal-Containing Rotaxanes and Catenanes in Motion Toward Molecular Machines and Motors , Acc Chem. Res. 1998,31, 611-619. 

Balzani, V., Venturi, M., Credi, A. Molecular Devices and Machines. A Jorney into the Nanoworld, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2003 b) Feringa, B.L. (ed.), Molecular Switches, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2001 c) Raehm, L., Sauvage, J.-P. Molecular machines and motors based on transition metal-containing catenanes and rotaxanes, Struct. Bond. 99 (2001), 55-78. 

Molecular Machines and Motors Based on Transition Metal-Containing Catenanes and Rotaxanes... 

Raehm L (2001) Molecular Machines and Motors Based on Transition Metal-Containing Catenanes and Rotaxanes 99 55-78 Rakke T, see Kjekshus A (1974) 19 45-83 Rakke T, see Kjekshus A (1974) 19 85-104... 

Sauvage. J.-P. Transition metal-containing rotaxanes and catenanes in motion Toward molecular machines and motors. Acc. Chem. Res. 1998, 31. 611-619. 

Sauvage. J.-P. Transition-metal-containing rotaxanes and catenanes Toward molecular machines and motors. Acc. Chem. Res. 1998. 31. 611-619 and references therein. McArdle, C.P. Irwin, M.J. Jennings, M.C. Vittal. J.J. Puddephate. R.J. Self-assembly of gold(I) rings and reversible formation of organometallic [2]catenanes. Chem. Eur. J. 2002. 8. 723-734. 

Another area of NEMS that is receiving tremendous attention is the mimicry of biological systems, aptly referred to as biomimetics. For instance, in the development of linear molecular muscles that undergo contraction and extension movements. Initial work in this field utilized transition metal complexes containing rotaxanes and catenanes, due to the nondestructive redox processes occurring on the metal centers.Though these complexes were actuated by a chemical reaction, the movement was in a noncoherent manner. In order to better mimic skeletal muscle movement, one has to look at the mode of motion within the most efficient molecular machines - in our human bodies. 

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