Elucidating the Impact of Molecular Motors on Their Solvation Environment

In response to external stimuli, molecular motors enable to control phenomena at the molecular scale with high precision. In order to utilize their unique properties and to gain designated functionalities, their molecular embedding is important. Despite the great progress in the development of corresponding functional materials, a detailed picture of how the structural and dynamic properties of these responsive molecular units are transferred to a macroscopic outcome is so-far missing. Here, we provide an atomistic insight into the solvation dynamics around a light-driven molecular motor. By performing molecular dynamic simulations based on an ab initio parametrized and validated force field, we elucidate in detail the intermolecular interactions depending on the state of the motor. Detailed analysis of the solvation shells revealed the impact on both the location of the primary interaction sites and the orientation of the solvent molecules with respect to the molecular motor. Furthermore, we studied the influence of structural modifications of the molecular motor on its local environment. By investigating the motor-solvent interaction, our results provide a strong foundation to decipher the ability of molecular machines to specifically alter molecular processes, which is fundamental to predict and tailor the resulting macroscopic functionality.