Angew. Chem., Int. Ed Publication – Dr Tian Chong
- October 29, 2025
- Research Highlights
Please join us in congratulating Dr Tian and her team for their new online publication titled “Spatial Assembly of Mechanically Planar Chiral Rotaxanes on Rationally Designed Cavitands.” published in Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. This work is a collaborative project between the Zhu Ye group (https://3-dimensionality.com/) and the Tian group (https://www.tianlab.net/). Dr Tian contributed to the supramolecular part and took part in project conception, data analysis, manuscript drafting, and revision.
About the research:
“This study introduces a spatial molecular assembly strategy for creating mechanically planar chiral (MPC) rotaxanes, a class of molecules where a ring is threaded onto an axle in a specific orientation. By designing inherently chiral cavitands, bowl-shaped molecular hosts that guide how the components fit together, the researchers achieved predictable and high stereocontrol (up to 93:7 enantiomeric ratio) in forming left- or right-handed rotaxanes. Unlike previous approaches that relied on pre-installed chiral centers or confined reaction spaces, this method encodes chirality directly through spatial organization of molecular parts, enabling versatile application across both metal-mediated and organocatalytic reactions. The work establishes a new principle for asymmetric molecular construction with potential impact on supramolecular catalysis, molecular machines, and functional materials.”
Angewandte Chemie International Edition is a premier peer-reviewed journal published by Wiley on behalf of the German Chemical Society. Renowned for its broad scope and high editorial standards, the journal covers all areas of chemistry and related interdisciplinary fields. As of the 2025 Journal Citation Reports, it holds an impressive impact factor of 16.9, reflecting its continued influence and excellence in the chemical sciences.
Congrats Chong and team!