Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) which include rotaxanes and catenanes are formed by the mechanical linking of two or more components and have significant potential in the construction of molecular machinery owing to their intercomponent dynamics. Synthesis of these mechanically bonded interlocked molecules is delicate due to the inherent entropy constraints required to preorganize structural units for interlocking. However, if accomplished, it offers the advantage of stimuli-responsive behaviour and the control of the rotation/movement of components at the macroscopic level. Currently, synthetic MIMs are transitioning from creating basic architectures to complex architectures with potential functional systems for real-world applications. Switching occurs in different ways in these MIMs, such as chemical (pH, solvent polarity, and guest-induced switching), and electrochemical switching (redox switching). This review looks at some of the most recent studies on electrochemical switching that shows prevalent interest in MIMs among scientists seeking to create functional molecular machines that outperform their natural analogs or possess unique features.

中文翻译：

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机械互锁分子 (MIM) 中的电化学转换

机械互锁分子（MIM）包括轮烷和索烷，是通过两个或多个组分的机械连接形成的，由于其组分间动力​​学，在分子机械的构建中具有巨大的潜力。由于预组织联锁结构单元所需的固有熵限制，这些机械键合联锁分子的合成非常复杂。然而，如果实现的话，它会提供刺激响应行为以及在宏观层面上控制组件旋转/运动的优势。目前，合成 MIM 正在从创建基本架构过渡到为现实应用程序创建具有潜在功能系统的复杂架构。这些 MIM 中的开关以不同的方式发生，例如化学开关（pH、溶剂极性和客体诱导开关）和电化学开关（氧化还原开关）。这篇综述着眼于电化学开关的一些最新研究，这些研究表明科学家们对 MIM 普遍感兴趣，这些科学家寻求创造超越其自然类似物或拥有独特功能的功能性分子机器。