This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of the synthesis of metallocatenanes and metallorotaxanes. It also describes the synthesis and properties of electronic conducting polymers-polypyrrole and polythiophene-built around metallocatenanes and metallorotaxanes. The particular properties of this new class of polymers, including the possibility of transmetallation reactions being performed with them and the observation of electronic coupling between the metal centers and the conducting matrix, are discussed. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.