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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
09:45
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Molecular Rotors in Living Cells
Published on: February 9, 2012
Time-resolved studies of individual molecular rotors
April D Jewell1, Heather L Tierney, Ashleigh E Baber
1Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
Summary
Thioether molecular rotors were studied using advanced microscopy. Surface structure and rotor chemistry influence rotation, with C-H bond excitation efficiently driving rotation via a one-electron process.
Area of Science:
- Nanoscale science
- Molecular dynamics
- Surface chemistry
Background:
- Thioether molecular rotors are promising nanoscale models.
- Understanding molecular rotation is key for nanotechnology.
- Previous studies lacked detailed dynamics of individual rotors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of individual thioether molecular rotors.
- To explore the influence of surface structure and rotor chemistry on molecular rotation.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of thermally and electrically driven molecular rotation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized time-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (TR-STM) for high time resolution.
- Recorded dynamics of individual thioether molecular rotors.
- Varied surface structure, rotor chemistry (alkyl tail length), thermal energy, and electrical excitation.
Main Results:
- Local surface structure significantly impacts the molecular rotor's energy landscape.
- Altering alkyl tail length provided insights into rotational barriers.
- Vibrational excitation of C-H bonds efficiently drives rotation.
- Electrical excitation of rotation is a one-electron process.
Conclusions:
- Surface structure and rotor chemistry are critical factors in molecular rotor dynamics.
- C-H bond vibrational excitation offers an efficient pathway for electrical control of molecular rotation.
- This work advances the understanding of nanoscale energy transfer and molecular machines.
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