Interlocked Molecules: From Structure to Reactivity and Function

Dear Colleagues,

Chemistry has entered nowadays the age of complexity! This regards far more than the synthesis of molecules: it is about designing (intelligent) molecules with appropriate functional structures for certain needs, predicting in silico their possible properties, including reactivity and side effects, such as eco-hazard, eventually building them block by block in a nano-tech environment, and even following their insertion, evolution, and control in situ during the entire inter-molecular life cycle. Accordingly, in such a value-chain nanochem framework, various transformations, techniques, and resources are used for the best output of chemicals targeting the functionalization of tomorrow’s gadgets and global life in the challenging era of artificial intelligence. Ultimately, chemical interactions are ubiquitous: from quantum-level (viz. entanglement and molecular observation of mutual couples) to reactive (testing in silico and in vitro) and functional (insertion in vivo) stages of molecular (conformational) states—all is leading to the next and more formal level of chemical complexity: the interlocked molecules. From molecular machines represented by ligand–receptor interactions (affinity and binding sites, protein inhibition and function) to molecular machines driven by light and to molectronics envisaging the quantum molecular computer, from fullerenes to graphenes at large and to nano-technology for isolating, testing, and controlling single to stochastic macromolecular lock-and-key systems, science and technology of molecular interlocking seems to be the current conundrum in trans-disciplinary chemistry dominating the present and, likely, the future everyday life. Be welcome to contribute to such enterprise to unlock its secrets towards econo-ecological utility and open sustainability! 

Prof. Dr. Mihai V. Putz
Guest Editor

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• Molecular machines
• Endo-Graphenes
• Fullerenes and Nanotubes
• Molecular stacking and interfaces
• Molecular structure surfaces (nano-imaging and nano-coating)
• Moletronics, logical ,and quantum gates
• Macromolecular (and topological) chemistry
• Quantum chemistry
• Nanochemistry (and chemical nanotechnology)
• Chemical Reactivity and Methods
• Biological Activity, (Eco)Toxicity
• Pharmacology