Here Is the World's Smallest Knot, and It Was Created by Accident

A team of researchers has recently achieved a feat: the creation of the smallest and tightest knot ever recorded, consisting of only 54 atoms. This serendipitous discovery marks a significant step in understanding molecular structures.

The knot created, called "metallaknot," consists of an entanglement of three crossings, similar to a clover. What makes this knot particularly remarkable is that it contains gold and self-assembled. This discovery was published in the journal Nature Communications on January 2.


The process of creating this knot initially aimed to link carbon structures to gold compounds. During this experiment, scientists observed the unexpected formation of this golden knot.

This knot is not just small in size, but also in density. The density of a knot is measured by a ratio called BCR, which compares the length of the knot to the size of its crossings. With a BCR of 23, this trefoil knot is the tightest ever designed, beating the previous record of 24.

Molecular knots like this one are important in chemistry and biology. They play a crucial role in the structure and functioning of proteins, DNA, and RNA. Trefoil knots are particularly interesting because they are the only ones to have just three crossings. They can serve as a basis for building more complex structures.

Understanding knots could lead to advances in several fields, such as the development of new materials or innovative medical treatments, like new forms of chemotherapy. This discovery thus paves the way to new scientific possibilities, promising advancements across many sectors.