Do molecules with bridges through rings exist?

Do molecules with bridges through rings (in a manner illustrated by this) exist?


[![example diagram](https://i.stack.imgur.com/86Cq3m.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/86Cq3.png)


I sometimes get results like this when doing Energy Minimization on molview.org. For example: 


[![molview.org Jmol result](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6f9t6m.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6f9t6.png)


Is this actually a thing?


EDIT: As a slightly more realistic example, consider this: 


[![slightly larger molecule as example](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3Prrqm.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3Prrq.png)




I'm not sure about the existence of molecules with bridges through rings. However, there are several publications of synthesis of molecules mimicking wheels and axles ([2]rotaxanes; The “[2]” refers to the number of interlocked components) as one shown below (Ref. 1): 


[![Wheel & Axle in OC](https://i.stack.imgur.com/BDkl4.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/BDkl4.png)
(The diagram is from [Reference 1](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/CC/C3CC47842D#!divAbstract))


This specific molecule (**8**; an “impossible” [2]rotaxane) represents a macro-cycle with a straight-chain molecule with bulky end groups going through its center. The inclusion of two bulky end groups prevents the straight-chain molecule leaving the macro-cycle (mechanically interlocked) as depicted in the diagram (See Ref. 2 for the total synthesis of the molecule).


Note that Ref. 1 also cited articles for the synthesis of [2]catenanes, which contain two interlocked rings (instead of one axle and one macrocycle). Keep in mind that there are some advanced catenanes and rotaxanes that exist (*e.g.*, [3]catenanes and [3]rotaxanes).


[![catenanes](https://i.stack.imgur.com/HKQ3u.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/HKQ3u.jpg)
(The structures are from [Reference 1](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/CC/C3CC47842D#!divAbstract))


**References:**


1. Edward A. Neal, Stephen M. Goldup, "Chemical consequences of mechanical bonding in catenanes and rotaxanes: isomerism, modification, catalysis and molecular machines for synthesis," *Chem. Commun.* **2014**, *50(40)*, 5128-5142 (<https://doi.org/10.1039/C3CC47842D>).
2. Jeffrey S. Hannam, Stephen M. Lacy, David A. Leigh, Carlos G. Saiz, Alexandra M. Z. Slawin, Sheila G. Stitchell, "Controlled Submolecular Translational Motion in Synthesis: A Mechanically Interlocking Auxiliary," *Angew. Chem., Intl. Fd.* **2004**, *43(25)*, 3260-3264 (<https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200353606>).


 50

A variation on this theme is [Ice VII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_VII), in which two cubic ice structures are intertwined with hydrogen bonds from each component structure passing through the hydrogen-bonded rings formed by the other component. Known to occur naturally on Earth as [a high-pressure phase trapped in diamonds](https://space.stackexchange.com/a/33570/28871), Ice VII is a stepping-stone to the macromolecular and superionic ices believed to exist in some giant planets.


![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/r2xtP.gif)


[Source](https://prog.world/19-types-of-ice/?amp)


 30

[Ring-opening polymerization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring-opening_polymerization), in particular using [olefin metathesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring-opening_metathesis_polymerisation) which keeps growing closed rings in the absence of linear olefins, will produce macrocycles that are intertwined to form a pseudo cross-linked network, globally insoluble polymer. This can be later "un-crosslinked" by resuming the metathesis reaction with linear olefins. 


 8