Ultrafast light-driven nanomotors based on an acridane stator.
A series of molecular motors featuring a symmetrical acridane stator is reported. Photochemical and thermal isomerization experiments confirm that this stator, in combination with a thiopyran rotor, results in molecular rotary motion in which the rate-determining thermal helix inversion proceeds effectively only at temperatures above 373 K. The introduction of a cyclopentanylidene rotor unit results in a decrease in steric hindrance with respect to the stator, and as a consequence, a 10(12)-fold increase in the rate of thermal helix inversion is observed. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy allows for the thermal processes to be followed accurately at ambient temperature. The rotary motor is shown to be able to operate at 0.5 MHz rotational frequencies under optimal conditions.
Kulago
Artem A
AA
Center for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
Mes
Emile M
EM
Klok
Martin
M
Meetsma
Auke
A
Brouwer
Albert M
AM
Feringa
Ben L
BL
D000166:Acridines / Q000737:chemistry*; D007536:Isomerism; D008027:Light; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009038:Motion; D010777:Photochemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature
D000166:Acridines