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Updated: Nov 24, 2025

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Effects of n → π* Orbital Interactions on Molecular Rotors: The Control and Switching of Rotational Pathway and Speed
Hang Chen1, Xiao Tang2, Hebo Ye1
1State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Abstract:
The role of n → π* orbital interactions in the rotational pathway and barrier of biaryl-based molecular rotors was elucidated through a combined experimental and computational study. The n → π* interaction in the transition state can lead to the acceleration of rotors. The competition between the n → π* interaction and hydrogen bonding further enabled the reversal of the pathway and greasing/braking the rotor in response to acid/base stimuli, thereby creating a switchable molecular rotor.
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