Flexible, Linear Chains Act as Baffles To Inhibit the Intramolecular Rotation of Molecular Turnstiles

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b10816
• Publication Date: 2016-11-29T20:17:28Z
• Authors: Chengyuan Yu; Lishuang Ma; Jiaojiao He; Junfeng Xiang; Xuebin Deng; Ying Wang; Xuebo Chen; Hua Jiang
• Keywords: Baffle; Linear molecular geometry

In artificial molecular devices, flexible, linear chains typically exhibit very weak capability in inhibiting motion. Herein, we describe the dynamic properties of a series turnstiles consisting rigid frame and phenyl rotator flanked with alkoxymethyl substituents. The long, flexible substituents act as elastic baffles to inhibit rotations at medium fast speeds on NMR time scale. When moves slowly, become more relaxed, thus obtaining an opportunity completely thread through cavity turnstiles. These findings reveal basic but missing correlation between steric hindrance speed motion for opening up new direction toward machines elaborate functions.