Photo- and redox-active [2]rotaxanes and [2]catenanes

One cornerstone of supramolecular science is research into the manufacture and physicochemical properties of [2]rotaxanes and [2]catenanes. Recent synthetic improvements have opened up the opportunity of building into the molecular framework of rotaxanes/catenanes subunits which can be stimulated by photons or redox changes. Accordingly, aspects of the chemistry of rotaxanes and catenanes deemed photoactive and redoxactive are discussed within this review.