Cation-Modulated Rotary Speed in a Light-Driven Crown Ether Functionalized Molecular Motor

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b00969
• Publication Date: 2018-06-07T17:45:22Z
• Authors: Ruth Dorel; Carla Miró; Yuchen Wei; Sander J. Wezenberg; Ben L. Feringa
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; MOTION; SINGLE STEREOGENIC CENTER; ROTATION; ROTOR; ACCELERATION; STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION; SYSTEM

The design and synthesis of an overcrowded-alkene based molecular motor featuring a crown ether integrated in its stator structure has been accomplished. The photostationary state ratios and rotational speed of this motor can be modulated by cation coordination to the crown ether moiety, which can be reversed upon the addition of a competing chelating agent, thus achieving a dynamic control over the rotational behavior of the motor.