A light-operated pillar[6]arene-based molecular shuttle
Tomoki Ogoshi, Daisuke Kotera, Shixin Fa, Shungo Nishida, Takahiro Kakuta, Tada‐aki Yamagishi, Albert M. Brouwer
Abstract
A molecular shuttle comprising a pillar[6]arene macrocyclic ring and an axle with two equal-energy-level stations connected by an azobenzene unit was synthesised. The E isomer of the azobenzene functioned as "open gate", allowing the pillar[6]arene ring to rapidly shuttle back-and-forth between the two stations. Ultraviolet irradiation induced photo-isomerisation of the azobenzene from E to Z form. The Z isomer of the azobenzene functioned as a "closed gate", inhibiting shuttling of the pillar[6]arene ring.
Topics & Concepts
AzobenzenePillarRing (chemistry)IsomerizationAxleMoleculeMaterials scienceChemistryCrystallographyPhotochemistryStereochemistryCatalysisPhysicsOrganic chemistryThermodynamicsStructural engineeringEngineeringSupramolecular Chemistry and ComplexesPhotoreceptor and optogenetics researchSupramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials