Polyrotaxanes and related structures: synthesis and properties

Significant advances in the polyrotaxane field have been made in the past year, in terms of understanding information mechanisms and the development of new materials. The highlights include the recognition of hydrogen-bonding as a driving force for the formation of crown ether-based polyrotaxanes, preparation of mechanically-linked branched and crosslinked polymers, and the development of polyrotaxanes with new architectures.