Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
10:28
Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2018
Orthogonal switching of a single supramolecular complex.
Feng Tian1, Dezhi Jiao, Frank Biedermann
1Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
Nature Communications
|November 15, 2012
Summary
This study introduces a novel supramolecular system using cucurbit[8]uril to create multi-responsive host-guest complexes. These complexes offer orthogonal control for advanced switching applications, enabling complex data storage and retrieval.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Orthogonal control offers enhanced system functionality over mono-functional switches.
- Host-guest complexes with multiple guests allow for tunable 'on' and 'off' states.
- Supramolecular entities provide a platform for complex molecular interactions and responsive systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct cucurbit[8]uril-mediated heteroternary host-guest complexes.
- To incorporate both redox- and light-responsive guests within a single supramolecular entity.
- To demonstrate orthogonal control over the supramolecular system for advanced applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of cucurbit[8]uril-mediated host-guest heteroternary complexes.
- Application of orthogonal stimuli (redox and light) for system control.
- Investigation of photochemical and electrochemical responses.
Main Results:
- A multifunctional switch was developed, transitioning between 'closed' heteroternary, redox-driven 'closed' homoternary, and photo-driven 'open' states.
- The system demonstrated controlled and reversible responses to orthogonal stimuli.
- Macroscopic visualization of supramolecular complexity and surface wettability changes was achieved.
Conclusions:
- The developed supramolecular system exhibits orthogonal control via redox and light stimuli.
- This system offers opportunities for constructing complex, switchable materials.
- Potential applications include advanced memory devices and responsive surfaces.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:52Stereoisomerism
Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
01:34Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility
Electrocyclic reactions, cycloadditions, and sigmatropic rearrangements are concerted pericyclic reactions that proceed via a cyclic transition state. These reactions are stereospecific and regioselective. The stereochemistry of the products depends on the symmetry characteristics of the interacting orbitals and the reaction conditions. Accordingly, pericyclic reactions are classified as either symmetry-allowed or symmetry-forbidden. Woodward and Hoffmann presented the selection criteria for...
01:58Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
01:58Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
01:58Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
02:23SN2 Reaction: Stereochemistry
In an SN2 reaction, the nucleophilic attack on the substrate and departure of the leaving group occurs simultaneously through a transition state. As the nucleophile approaches the substrate from the back-side, the configuration of the substrate carbon changes from tetrahedral to trigonal bipyramidal and then back to tetrahedral, leading to an inversion in the configuration of the product.
If the substrate is an achiral molecule at the α-carbon, the inversion of configuration is not observed.
If the substrate is an achiral molecule at the α-carbon, the inversion of configuration is not observed.