A chiral self-sorting photoresponsive coordination cage based on overcrowded alkenes

In recent years, increasing efforts have been devoted to designing new functional stimuli-responsive supramolecular assemblies. Here, we present three isomeric supramolecular coordination complexes consisting of a Pd2L4 stoichiometry. As shown by NMR, CD and X-ray studies, as well as DFT calculations, these complexes form cage-like structures by chiral self-sorting. Photochromic ligands derived from first generation molecular motors enable light-driven interconversion between the three isomers. Two of the isomers were able to form host–guest complexes opening up new prospects toward stimuli-controlled substrate binding and release.Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistr

Light-Gated Rotation in a Molecular Motor Functionalized with a Dithienylethene Switch

A multiphotochromic hybrid system is presented in which a light-driven overcrowded alkene-based molecular rotary motor is connected to a dithienylethene photoswitch. Ring closing of the dithienylethene moiety, using an irradiation wavelength different from the wavelength applied to operate the molecular motor, results in inhibition of the rotary motion as is demonstrated by detailed H-1-NMR and UV/Vis experiments. For the first time, a light-gated molecular motor is thus obtained. Furthermore, the excitation wavelength of the molecular motor is red-shifted from the UV into the visible-light region upon attachment of the dithienylethene switch

CCDC 2024092: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Constantin Stuckhardt, Diederik Roke, Wojciech Danowski, Edwin Otten, Sander J Wezenberg, Ben L Feringa|2019|Beilstein J.Org.Chem.|15|2767|doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.26