Objective
Mechanical manipulation is central to shaping the macroscopic world: from weaving fabrics to tying knots, these operations yield materials with defined form and function. Achieving comparable precision at the molecular scale would open new possibilities in synthetic chemistry, allowing the deliberate construction of interlocked architectures with custom tailored properties.
CATENATOR will apply light-driven molecular machines to assemble monodisperse, sequence-defined and linear [n]catenanes, i.e. molecular architectures made solely from interlocked rings. Currently, no general method exists to access such structures in a precise manner. CATENATOR is thus a realistic proof-of-concept project to explore the potential of artificial molecular machines for the synthesis of an unprecedented class of polymers. The key enabling strategy is Alternating Mechanical Insertion (AMI): a stepwise, machine-directed threading process in which the growing chain is transferred between two anchoring sites of a light-driven molecular motor, adding one ring per cycle. By selecting the macrocycle introduced at each step, AMI enables the precise encoding of complex, non-repetitive and mechanically interlocked sequences. Beyond establishing a new synthetic methodology, CATENATOR will provide access to a previously unexplored class of topologically complex macromolecules. Their mechanically bonded backbones are expected to exhibit distinctive combinations of flexibility, robustness and dynamic response, offering new opportunities in functional molecular design and advanced polymer research.
The successful realization of CATENATOR will redefine what artificial molecular machines can achieve, establishing them as practical synthetic tools and opening new directions in molecular topology, organic chemistry and polymer science.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics topology
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
10117 Berlin
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.