Locked synchronous rotor motion in a molecular motor

Abstract

Biological molecular motors translate their local directional motion into ordered movement of other parts of the system to empower controlled mechanical functions. The design of analogous geared systems that couple motion in a directional manner, which is pivotal for molecular machinery operating at the nanoscale, remains highly challenging. Here, we report a molecular rotary motor that translates light-driven unidirectional rotary motion to controlled movement of a connected biaryl rotor. Achieving coupled motion of the distinct parts of this multicomponent mechanical system required precise control of multiple kinetic barriers for isomerization and synchronous motion, resulting in sliding and rotation during a full rotary cycle, with the motor always facing the same face of the rotor.

Molecular rotary motors: Unidirectional motion around double bonds

“…Tuning molecular motors to operate in complex dynamic systems will require, among others, synchronization of rotary and translational motion, precise organization and cooperativity, and amplification of motion along length scales. A first approach toward coupled motion was recently reported by our group, in which the rotary motion of the molecular motor is transferred to the synchronized movement of a connected biaryl rotor (99). The prospects for controlling motion at the nano scale and beyond will continue to provide fascinating challenges for the molecular designer and many bright roads for the molecular motorist in the future.…”

Rotary and linear molecular motors driven by pulses of a chemical fuel

“…Directional movement has been demonstrated in artificial molecular machines (1)(2)(3)(4), using photoexcitation (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) and/or the sequential addition of chemical reagents (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), and an autonomous chemically-driven molecular rotary motor that operates through a bio-inspired (23) information ratchet mechanism has been described (24,25). Here we report on an alternative class of ratchet mechanism, based on acid-base oscillations, that powers both rotary and linear molecular motors.…”

Photoactivated Artificial Molecular Machines that Can Perform Tasks

“…An example of synchronous transmission of a photoactivated unidirectional rotary motion from an overcrowded alkene motor to a coupled rotor was reported recently . In compound 15 ( Figure ), consisting of a naphthyl rotor covalently appended to the indanyl half of the rotary motor, it was envisioned that the rotation of the naphthyl unit could be locked with the light‐triggered motion of the motor.…”

“…Operation cycle showing the transfer of a directionally controlled rotary movement from the motor to the rotor component in compound 15 . The starting point of the cycle is the upper left structure.…”