News Chemistry

Molecule ties itself in a complex knot

Chemists synthesize a five-crossing structure

By Alexandra Witze

- More than 2 years ago

Chemists have tangled themselves a complicated knot: a molecule whose 160 atoms loop over one another like a five-pointed star.

A single chloride ion (green ball) anchors this newly made “pentafoil” chemical knot that also stars iron (purple), oxygen (red), nitrogen (dark blue) and carbon (grey and light blue).