Lecture: Jean-Pierre Sauvage10-14 of October"From chemical topology to cages and molecular machines: the transition metal approach"Programm:The lectures will be mainly concerned with molecular sciences : transition metal chemistry, organic synthesis and physical chemistry applied to the systems discussed (electrochemistry; photochemistry and photophysics; STM). More precisely, the series of lectures will be devoted to a few contemporary areas of research, as listed below :(1) Chemical topology: general considerations on topology, interlocking systems and knotted molecules, with important definitions and an historical introduction to the field of catenanes and rotaxanes.(2) In a second lecture, we will discuss the powerful techniques based on transition metal centres used as three-dimensional templates for generating entanglements and interlocking ring systems (catenanes). In particular, the work done in Strasbourg, based on copper(I) as template, will be discussed. The strategy referred to as "gathering-and-threading" will also be explained in detail. The recent and less recent contributions of various research groups to the field of catenanes will also be reviewed, either in the transition metal area or in that of organic templates.(3) Cages and capsules can be generated using the so-called "self-assembly" approach. In recent work, gigantic cages displaying outstanding properties could be prepared in very high yields from simple components and under extremely mild conditions. A few spectacular examples will be described which demonstrate the power of transition metals to gather various fragments in a complex but quantitative fashion. In such a way, highly symmetrical species with huge internal volumes can be obtained in a few synthetic steps.(4) The synthesis of molecular knots has been envisaged as a particularly challenging task for many years. It is about twenty years ago that the first knots were reported. Their syntheses relied on template effects, again using transition metal complexes. More recently, a few elegant strategies have been developed which afford knots in relatively large amounts. The templating principle can take advantage of coordination chemistry bonds or hydrogen bonding.(5) Multi-interlocking rings are also very attractive species and their synthesis represents a particularly difficult challenge. A few examples will be discussed to illustrate the power of template approaches.(6) Molecular machines and motors.Conference: 12 of October"Multicomponent Transition Metal Complexes: From Charge Separation to Ligh