Permethylated cyclodextrin-based insulated molecular wires

Insulated molecular wires (IMWs), in which the pi-conjugated polymers are covered by a protective sheath, have attracted considerable attention because of their potential applicability in next-generation mono-molecular electronic devices. We have developed new methods of synthesizing IMWs involving the polymerization of permethylated cyclodextrin (PMCD)-based rotaxane monomers. The obtained IMWs are highly soluble in organic solvents and have a high covering ratio, rigidity, and photoluminescence efficiency; further, they show high charge mobility, even in the solid state. In this review, the synthetic methodologies and characteristic of IMWs are discussed.