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Molecular Spring Constant Analysis by Biomembrane Force Probe Spectroscopy

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Force Reveals Hidden Conformations and Dissociation Pathways in Individual π-Interacting Dimers.

Célia Franceschini¹, Dorothée Brandt², Maxime Ledent¹

¹Research Unit Molsys, NanoChem, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|June 3, 2026

Summary

Mechanical force controls molecular structure using noncovalent interactions. Atomic force microscopy revealed hidden parallel and anti-parallel perylene diimide conformers, detailing their distinct mechanical stability and rupture pathways.

Keywords:

AFM conformational dynamics mechanochemical pathways noncovalent interactions single‐molecule force spectroscopy

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Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Materials Science
Chemical Physics

Background:

Mechano-responsive materials leverage mechanical force to alter molecular structure.
Noncovalent interactions offer tunable mechanical stability and reversibility.
Conventional ensemble techniques struggle to access conformational energy landscapes of noncovalent motifs.

Purpose of the Study:

To probe individual π-interactions within a perylene diimide dimer using single-molecule force spectroscopy.
To reveal hidden conformational states and map their force-dependent energy landscape.
To provide molecular-level insight into the mechanics of π-π interactions.

Main Methods:

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based force spectroscopy (single-molecule pulling experiments).
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, including steered MD.
Passive force spectroscopy for real-time conformer resolution.

Main Results:

Two distinct, long-lived conformers (parallel and anti-parallel perylene diimide orientations) were identified, previously indistinguishable by ensemble methods.
The parallel conformer showed greater mechanical stability and a sequential rupture pathway involving interconversion to the anti-parallel state.
Passive force spectroscopy validated the force-induced interconversion pathway and quantified mechanical properties.

Conclusions:

Combining passive force spectroscopy with MD simulations can uncover hidden conformational states in noncovalent assemblies.
This approach maps the force-dependent energy landscape of supramolecular systems.
Single-molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful tool for understanding the mechanics of π-π interactions and other noncovalent bonds.