化学驱动的[2]轮烷型分子梭

机械互锁的轮烷型分子梭在分子机器化学领域具有重要的位置,可通过"积小为大"的方法在分子水平进行新材料的自组装.在外界的刺激下,大环分子可以在轴分子的不同识别位点间或态间往复穿梭,从而引起体系物理或化学性质的交替变化,这种变化又构成了一类基本的机械开关,可以用来执行特定的功能,在分子开关、信息储存和处理等领域具有潜在的应用前景,是超分子化学领域的研究热点.本文以[2]轮烷型分子梭的驱动力(外部刺激)为主线,分别从酸碱驱动、离子配位作用驱动和溶剂极性改变引起的疏水驱动等角度,综述了近年来化学驱动的[2]轮烷型分子梭在合成和应用方面的最新研究进展,同时介绍了其他力(如热力学参数熵、互锁体系中修饰基团尺寸大小、外加化学氧化剂或还原剂、得失电子引起的电化学氧化还原以及紫外-可见光照射诱发的偶氮苯顺反光异构化等方式)驱动的轮烷型分子梭的进展,最后对化学驱动的[2]轮烷型分子梭的未来发展趋势进行了展望.     

基于主客体识别的刺激响应型分子梭

分子梭作为分子机器的一种主要类型,大多是建立在主客体识别的基础上的,其在分子开关、分子逻辑门、信息存储等领域有着重要的潜在应用价值,是超分子化学领域的研究热点之一。本文介绍了分子梭的概念、原理,详细归纳了具有刺激响应型的分子梭。并且,按照外界刺激源的不同,将刺激响应型分子梭分为光驱动、pH驱动、氧化还原驱动以及多重驱动的分子梭。阐述了不同驱动方式的分子梭的结构特点、运动规律、研究进展及潜在应用,分析了刺激响应型分子梭目前面临的问题,并对其今后的发展趋势做了展望。     

具有分子机器、分子开关功能的自组装超分子体系

本文介绍了具有分子梭或分子开关性质的新型轮烷和索烃超分子以及具有分子机器功能的其它类型化学和生物分子的国际研究最新动态。     

萘二酰亚胺[3]轮烷的设计合成及发光性能研究

设计合成了以乙氧基柱[5]芳烃为环状分子,萘二酰亚胺衍生物为线性分子的[3]轮烷（[3]R和[3]R'）.其分离产率分别达到45%和62%.利用核磁氢谱和碳谱、二维旋转Overhause波谱（ROESY）以及高分辨质谱等对[3]R和[3]R'的轮烷结构进行了详细表征,并系统研究了轮烷分子的紫外吸收和荧光光谱.由于两侧大体积的乙氧基柱[5]芳烃阻止了[3]轮烷在高浓度下芳香环的过密堆积,使得[3]R和[3]R'即使在固体状态下都可以发射明亮的红色荧光.推测该轮烷分子在发光材料、光电器件等方面有潜在应用,同时本研究也对高效固体发光分子的制备提供了新思路.     

轮烷类化合物的合成方法研究进展

轮烷类互锁分子因其多样的结构和性质,多年来一直是超分子化学领域的一个热点.综述了近年来轮烷类化合物的合成及制备方法,包括用传统的模板法(引入氢键、疏水作用、静电效应、配位和离子诱导等超分子作用)制备轮烷类化合物.除此之外,还介绍了利用“Click”化学、“穿线-收缩”、“穿线-膨胀”、自排序组织和自由基识别等新的合成手段来制备这类化合物.     

分子逻辑器件研究进展

分子器件具有尺寸小、设计合成可控、存储量大、反应速度快、人工智能等诸多优点,是当今化学、物理和材料等领域研究最为重要的一个交叉领域.综述了近些年来分子逻辑器件领域的研究进展.介绍了各种类型的分子逻辑门、半(加)减法器、分子逻辑线路以及DNA分子和固态分子计算.最后提出了分子器件存在的问题并展望了其应用前景.     

客体分子末端基团驱动的七元瓜环类轮烷自组装

以1,2-二(4-吡啶基)乙烯为母体,设计合成了系列基于烷基链末端基团分别为—COOH,—CH_2Br和—CH_3的阳离子型线性客体分子(G1~G3).研究结果表明,末端基团为—COOH的客体分子G1可驱动七元瓜环滑过1,2-二(4-吡啶基)乙烯形成[2]类轮烷分子梭及[3]类轮烷;客体分子G2和G3则不能驱动七元瓜环滑过吡啶基乙烯母体部分,但是G2的—CH_2Br基团可驱动七元瓜环靠近吡啶基乙烯基团并形成稳定的[2]类轮烷.这一现象可归因于链状分子末端基团与瓜环端口羰基氧作用时的静电势差异.     

柱[6]芳烃的合成及在分子识别中的应用研究进展

柱芳烃是近年来超分子研究领域中备受关注的一类新型大环主体化合物。与柱[5]芳烃相比,柱[6]芳烃因具有更大的管状空腔结构而表现出了独特的主客体性能。介绍了柱[6]芳烃的结构与构象,并重点阐述了柱[6]芳烃的合成方法以及在分子识别中的应用研究进展。     

柱芳烃机械互锁结构的制备及功能化

柱芳烃是一类具有柱状空腔结构的大环主体,近年来逐渐成为主客体作用构筑超分子体系的重要模块之一。柱芳烃家族包含柱[5]芳烃到柱[15]芳烃等成员,其中柱[5]芳烃为热力学稳定产物,合成产率最高;其次为柱[6]芳烃。柱[5]芳烃或柱[6]芳烃可做为主体,参与构筑[1](准)轮烷、[1](准)索烃等机械自锁结构,以及[n]轮烷(n≥2)、[2]索烃、雏菊链等机械互锁结构;体系中独立分子之间存在相对运动,如轮烷中柱芳烃在轴线上可以进行穿梭运动;丰富的衍生基团赋予柱芳烃互锁结构相应的功能,如手性翻转、荧光共振能量转移、超分子凝胶、Langmuir膜、催化反应等,甚至基于柱芳烃轮烷还可构筑更复杂的树枝状分子。本文综述了柱芳烃超分子互锁体系的研究进展,详细阐述了基于柱芳烃的互锁结构的合成方法及其功能化并讨论了其在构筑分子器件及其他超分子复杂体系方面的应用前景。     

桥联杯[6]芳烃研究进展

综述了桥联杯[6]芳烃的合成及构象固定等方面的研究进展,并以下缘1,4位桥联杯[6]芳烃,杯[6]冠醚和杯[6]穴醚及其类似物等主体分子为重点,综述了桥联杯[6]芳烃在分子识别和超分子化学领域中的应用研究的最新进展。     

Acid‐Base Switchable [2]‐ and [3]Rotaxane Molecular Shuttles with Benzimidazolium and Bis(pyridinium) Recognition Sites

For the purpose of developing higher level mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), such as molecular switches and machines, a new rotaxane system was designed in which both the 1,2‐bis(pyridinium)ethane and benzimidazolium recognition templating motifs were combined. These two very different recognition sites were successfully incorporated into [2]rotaxane and [3]rotaxane molecular shuttles which were fully characterized by ¹H NMR, 2D EXSY, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and VT NMR analysis. By utilizing benzimidazolium as both a recognition site and stoppering group it was possible to create not only an acid/base switchable [2]rotaxane molecular shuttle (energy barrier 20.9 kcal?mol^?1) but also a [3]rotaxane molecular shuttle that displays unique dynamic behavior involving the simultaneous motion of two macrocyclic wheels on a single dumbbell. This study provides new insights into the design of switchable molecular shuttles. Due to the unique properties of benzimidazoles, such as fluorescence and metal coordination, this new type of molecular shuttle may find further applications in developing functional molecular machines and materials.     

The Effect of Incorporating Fréchet Dendrons into Rotaxanes and Molecular Shuttles Containing the 1,2‐Bis(pyridinium)ethane⊂[24]Crown‐8 Templating Motif

Fréchet‐type dendrons (G0–G3) were added as both axle stoppering units and cyclic wheel appendages in a series of [2]rotaxanes, [3]rotaxanes, and molecular shuttles that employ 1,2‐bis(pyridinium)ethane axles and 24‐membered crown ethers wheels. The addition of dendrimer wedges as stoppering units dramatically increased the solubility of simple [2]rotaxanes in nonpolar solvents. The X‐ray structure of a G1‐stoppered [2]rotaxane shows how the dendritic units affect the structure of the interlocked components. Increased solubility allows observation of how the interaction of dendritic units on separate components in interlocked molecules influences switching properties and molecular size. In a series of [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles incorporating two recognition sites, it was demonstrated that an increase in generation on either the stoppering unit or cyclic wheel could influence both the rate of shuttling and the site preference of the wheel on the axle.     

A [3]rotaxane with three stable states that responds to multiple-inputs and displays dual fluorescence addresses

A [3]rotaxane molecular shuttle containing two alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) macrocycles, an azobenzene unit, a stilbene unit, and two different fluorescent naphthalimide units has been investigated. The azobenzene unit and the stilbene unit can be E/Z-photoisomerized separately by light excited at different wavelengths. Irradiation at 380 nm resulted in the photoisomerization of the azobenzene unit, leading to the formation of one stable state of the [3]rotaxane (Z1-NNAS-2CD); irradiation at 313 nm resulted in the photoisomerization of the stilbene unit, leading to the formation of another stable state of the [3]rotaxane (Z2-NNAS-2CD). The reversible conversion of the Z1 and Z2 isomers back to the E isomer by irradiation at 450 nm and 280 nm, respectively, is accompanied by recovery of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the [3]rotaxane. The E isomer and the two Z isomers have been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The light stimuli can induce shuttling motions of the two alpha-CD macrocycles on the molecular thread; concomitantly, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the [3]rotaxane change in a regular way. When the alpha-CD macrocycle stays close to the fluorescent moiety, the fluorescence of the moiety become stronger due to the rigidity of the alpha-CD ring. As the photoisomerization processes are fully reversible, the photo-induced shuttling motions of the alpha-CD rings can be repeated, accompanied by dual reversible fluorescence signal outputs. The potential application of such light-induced mechanical motions at the molecular level could provide some insight into the workings of a molecular machine with entirely optical signals, and could provide a cheap, convenient interface for communication between micro- and macroworlds.     

Three state redox-active molecular shuttle that switches in solution and on a surface

Although the desirability of developing synthetic molecular machine systems that can function on surfaces is widely recognized, to date the only well-characterized examples of electrochemically switchable rotaxane-based molecular shuttles which can do so are based on the tetracationic viologen macrocycle pioneered by Stoddart. Here, we report on a [2]rotaxane which features succinamide and naphthalene diimide hydrogen-bonding stations for a benzylic amide macrocycle that can shuttle and switch its net position both in solution and in a monolayer. Three oxidation states of the naphthalene diimide unit can be accessed electrochemically in solution, each one with a different binding affinity for the macrocycle and, hence, corresponding to a different distribution of the rings between the two stations in the molecular shuttle. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show the switching to be both reversible and cyclable and allow quantification of the translational isomer ratios (thermodynamics) and shuttling dynamics (kinetics) for their interconversion in each state. Overall, the binding affinity of the naphthalene diimide station can be changed by 6 orders of magnitude over the three states. Unlike previous electrochemically active amide-based molecular shuttles, the reduction potential of the naphthalene diimide unit is sufficiently positive (-0.68 V) for the process to be compatible with operation in self-assembled monolayers on gold. Incorporating pyridine units into the macrocycle allowed attachment of the shuttles to an acid-terminated self-assembled monolayer of alkane thiols on gold. The molecular shuttle monolayers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and their electrochemical behavior probed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and double-potential step chronoamperometry, which demonstrated that the redox-switched shuttling was maintained in this environment, occurring on the millisecond time scale.     

An acid-base responsive linear-cyclic polymer rotaxane molecular shuttle with fluorescence signal output

The preparation of intelligent-responsive materials with controllable topology structure has long been a significant objective for chemists in the field of materials science. In this paper, we designed and prepared a linear-cyclic reversible topological structure polymer based on the bistable [1]rotaxane molecular shuttle. A ferrocene-functionalized [1]rotaxane and naphthalimide fluorophore group are introduced into the both ends of the polymer, which exhibit distance-induced photo-electron tran...     

Logic Gating by Macrocycle Displacement Using a Double‐Stranded DNA [3]Rotaxane Shuttle

Molecular interlocked systems with mechanically trapped components can serve as versatile building blocks for dynamic nanostructures. Here we report the synthesis of unprecedented double‐stranded (ds) DNA [2]‐ and [3]rotaxanes with two distinct stations for the hybridization of the macrocycles on the axle. In the [3]rotaxane, the release and migration of the “shuttle ring” mobilizes a second macrocycle in a highly controlled fashion. Different oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) employed as inputs induce structural changes in the system that can be detected as diverse logically gated output signals. We also designed nonsymmetrical [2]rotaxanes which allow unambiguous localization of the position of the macrocycle by use of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Either light irradiation or the use of fuel ODNs can drive the threaded macrocycle to the desired station in these shuttle systems. The DNA nanostructures introduced here constitute promising prototypes for logically gated cargo delivery and release shuttles.     

pH-Switched fluorescent pseudorotaxane assembly of cucurbit[7]uril with bispyridinium ethylene derivatives

¹H NMR spectra and fluorescence analysis revealed that the molecular shuttle and pseudorotaxane assembly of Q[7] with guest G²⁺ can be significantly switched via protonation and deprotonation of the terminal carboxylates of the guest.     

Weinreb Amide,Ketone and Amine as Potential and Competitive Secondary Molecular Stations for Dibenzo-[24]Crown-8 in [2]Rotaxane Molecular Shuttles

This paper reports the synthesis and study of new pH-sensitive DB24C8-based [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles that contain within their axle four potential sites of interaction for the DB24C8: ammonium, amine, Weinreb amide, and ketone. In the protonated state, the DB24C8 lay around the best ammonium site. After either deprotonation or deprotonation-then-carbamoylation of the ammonium, different localizations of the DB24C8 were seen, depending on both the number and nature of the secondary stations and steric restriction. Unexpectedly, the results indicated that the Weinreb amide was not a proper secondary molecular station for the DB24C8. Nevertheless, through its methoxy side chain, it slowed down the shuttling of the macrocycle along the threaded axle, thereby partitioning the [2]rotaxane into two translational isomers on the NMR timescale. The ketone was successfully used as a secondary molecular station, and its weak affinity for the DB24C8 was similar to that of a secondary amine.     

Design of [2]rotaxane through image threshold segmentation of electrostatic potential image

An electrostatic potential (ESP)‐based image segmentation method has been used to estimate the ability of proton donation and acceptance involved in ring‐rod recognition. The relative binding strength of [2]rotaxane has also been further estimated from the difference of the characteristic image‐segmentation derived ESP between proton donor and proton acceptor. The size and electrostatic compatibility criteria are introduced to guide the design of interlocked [2]rotaxane. A library of 75 thermodynamically stable [2]rotaxane candidates has been generated, including 16 experimentally known systems. The theoretical results for 16 experimentally known [2]rotaxanes are in good agreement with both the experimental association constants and density functional theory‐calculated binding energies. Our ESP‐based image segmentation model is also applicable to the tristable [2]rotaxane molecular shuttle as well as [1]rotaxane with self‐inclusion function, indicating this simple method is generic in the field of constructing other supramolecular architectures formed with donor/acceptor molecular recognition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of a pH‐Sensitive Hetero[4]Rotaxane Molecular Machine that Combines [c2]Daisy and [2]Rotaxane Arrangements

The synthesis of a novel pH‐sensitive hetero[4]rotaxane molecular machine through a self‐sorting strategy is reported. The original tetra‐interlocked molecular architecture combines a [c2]daisy chain scaffold linked to two [2]rotaxane units. Actuation of the system through pH variation is possible thanks to the specific interactions of the dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 (DB24C8) macrocycles for ammonium, anilinium, and triazolium molecular stations. Selective deprotonation of the anilinium moieties triggers shuttling of the unsubstituted DB24C8 along the [2]rotaxane units.