Photoisomerization of a rotaxane hydrogen bonding template: Light-induced acceleration of a large amplitude rotational motion

Establishing methods for controlling aspects of large amplitude submolecular movements is a prerequisite for the development of artificial devices that function through rotary motion at the molecular level. Here we demonstrate that the rate of rotation of the interlocked components of fumaramide-derived [2]rotaxanes can be accelerated, by >6 orders of magnitude, by isomerizing them to the corresponding maleamide [2]rotaxanes by using light.构建调控大振幅亚分子运动（submolecular movements）相关特性的方法，是开发依托分子层级旋转运动实现功能的人工器件的先决条件。本研究表明，通过光照将富马酰胺衍生的[2]轮烷（[2]rotaxanes）的互锁组分异构化为对应的马来酰胺[2]轮烷，可将其旋转速率提升超过6个数量级。