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Cation controlled rotation in anionic pillar[5]arenes and its application for fluorescence switch
Hao Zheng1, Lulu Fu1, Ranran Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China.
This study introduces a novel molecular rotor system using pillar[5]arenes (WP5). The rotation of hydroquinone rings in WP5 can be controlled by different counter cations, acting as a tunable cation grease/brake system.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling molecular motion is crucial in chemistry, with molecular rotors enabling nanomachines and functional materials.
- Pillar[n]arenes possess unique planar chirality, allowing interconversion between stable conformational isomers via hydroquinone ring rotations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel rotor systems controlled by external stimuli.
- To investigate the effect of counter cations on the rotational barriers of hydroquinone rings in pillar[5]arenes (WP5).
Main Methods:
- Synthesized and characterized anionic pillar[5]arenes (WP5) with different counter cations (e.g., sodium, ammonium).
- Studied the differential kinetic traits of planar chirality transformation.
- Explored the cation-dependent rotational barriers.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that counter cations significantly influence the rotational barriers of hydroquinone rings in WP5.
- Established a "cation grease/brake" rotor system based on pillar[5]arene skeletons.
- Observed differential kinetic traits in sodium carboxylate pillar[5]arene (WP5-Na) and ammonium carboxylate pillar[5]arene (WP5-NH4) systems.
Conclusions:
- Counter cations provide a tunable control mechanism for molecular rotors based on pillar[5]arenes.
- The developed tunable rotor system has potential applications as a fluorescence switch and anti-counterfeiting ink.
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