One cornerstone of supramolecular science is research into the manufac
ture and physicochemical properties of [2]rotaxanes and [2]catenanes.
Recent synthetic improvements have opened up the opportunity of buildi
ng into the molecular framework of rotaxanes/catenanes subunits which
can be stimulated by photons or redox changes. Accordingly, aspects of
the chemistry of rotaxanes and catenanes deemed photoactive and redox
active are discussed within this review.