Metal-coordinated mechanically interlocked polymers

Metal-coordinated mechanically interlocked polymers (MIPs) represent a distinct class of MIPs constructed through metal–ligand coordination. Owing to the inherent directionality, reversibility, and tunability of coordination bonds, metal-coordinated MIPs have been developed in diverse architectures. Within these systems, metal–ligand interactions play multiple roles, including serving as templates that facilitate the formation of mechanically interlocked architectures, linkers that connecting repeating units, and cross-linkers that establish dynamic network junctions. Furthermore, the investigations of various metal-coordinated MIPs have provided key insights into how embedding metal–ligand complexes and mechanical bonds within polymeric frameworks influences their mechanical, dynamic, and responsive properties. This review opens with an overview of metal-templated approaches for constructing mechanically interlocked molecules. It then delineated the structural classification of metal-coordinated MIPs, namely linear, branched or dendritic, and cross-linked architectures, thereby providing a comprehensive reference for future exploration and innovation in this emerging field. • Metal ions drive the formation of mechanically interlocked architectures. • Constructions of metal-coordinated Mechanically interlocked polymers. • Liner, branched and dendritic, and cross-linked architectures. • Roles of metal ions in metal-coordinated Mechanically interlocked polymers.