Ion-triggered multistate molecular switching device based on regioselective coordination-controlled ion binding

Molecular devices capable of accessing different controlled conformational states, while optically signaling the occupied state, are attractive tools for nanotechnology since they relate to both areas of molecular mechanical devices and logic gates. We report here a simple molecular system that allows access to four distinct conformational and optical states. It is based on the regioselective complexation of metal ions to a heterocyclic ligand triad, which is dictated by the accessible coordination geometry and electrostatic properties of two distinct binding subunits. Thus, local conformational switching is brought about by tetrahedral coordination (of Cu(I)) or octahedral coordination (of M(2+) ions) to bidentate and tridentate binding subunits, respectively. The shape modifications undergone represent an ion-controlled nanomechanical device. They give controlled access to four different states that display different physico-chemical (e.g. optical) properties and provide a basis for logic gate operations.