A Cyclodextrin-Based Molecular Shuttle Containing Energetically Favored and Disfavored Portions in Its Dumbbell Component

Abstract

A molecular shuttle containing dodecamethylene units, 4,4‘-bipyridinium units, and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) has been prepared. Shuttling behavior is solvent- and temperature-sensitive and could be controlled by double interactions:  hydrophobic interaction between a CD ring and a station and a repulsive interaction between a CD ring and a linker. This is a novel method to control the mobility of a bead in a molecular shuttle