4,4′‐Bipyridine as a Unidirectional Switching Unit for a Molecular Pushing Motor

A chirality switch in which the intrinsic chirality of a 4,4′‐bipyridine is combined with a metal‐ion‐induced switching principle is described. In the uncomplexed state the 4,4′‐bipyridine unit, which is linked to an S,S,S,S‐configured cyclic imidazole peptide, is P‐configured. The addition of zinc ions leads to a rotation around the C?C bond axis of the 4,4′‐bipyridine and the M isomer of the metal complex is formed. By addition of a stronger complexing agent the metal ions are removed and the switch returns to its initial position. The combination of the chirality switch with a second switching unit allows the construction of a molecular pushing motor, which is driven chemically and by light.