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Weaving of organic compounds on the molecular level is an intriguing challenge and promises to provide materials that combine high elasticity with strength and fracture toughness. Yet, the formation of crossing points between molecular threads in defined and regular distances to create an interwoven network is not trivial. To date, only a few examples of wholly organic weaves have been reported. Within this review we present the different strategies that enabled their formation and highlight the structural features of the obtained nanostructured materials. We expect these pioneering studies to pave the way to many more organic molecular weaves with more and more sophisticated topologies and exquisite mechanical properties.

Weaving of organic compounds on the molecular level is an intriguing challenge and promises to provide materials that combine high elasticity with strength and fracture toughness. Yet, the formation of crossing points between molecular threads in defined and regular distances to create an interwoven network is not trivial. To date, only a few examples of wholly organic weaves have been reported. Within this review we present the different strategies that enabled their formation and highlight the structural features of the obtained nanostructured materials. We expect these pioneering studies to pave the way to many more organic molecular weaves with more and more sophisticated topologies and exquisite mechanical properties., (Copyright 2019 Swiss Chemical Society. License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.)