Unidirectional rotary motion in a metal-organic framework
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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks
Published on: September 5, 2014
Wojciech Danowski1, Thomas van Leeuwen1, Shaghayegh Abdolahzadeh2
1Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Overcrowded alkene-based light-driven molecular motors are able to perform large-amplitude repetitive unidirectional rotations. Their behaviour is well understood in solution. However, Brownian motion precludes the precise positioning at the nanoscale needed to harness cooperative action. Here, we demonstrate molecular motors organized in crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The motor unit becomes a part of the organic linker (or strut), and its spatial arrangement is elucidated through powder and single-crystal X-ray analyses and polarized optical and Raman microscopies. We confirm that the light-driven unidirectional rotation of the motor units is retained in the MOF framework and that the motors can operate in the solid state with similar rotary speed (rate of thermal helix inversion) to that in solution. These 'moto-MOFs' could in the future be used to control dynamic function in crystalline materials.
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