Issue 1, 2007

Photo-driven molecular devices

Abstract

In this critical review, we discuss switching of the light-powered bistable rotaxanes and catenanes and highlight the practical applications of some of these systems. Photoactive molecular and supramolecular machines are comprised of two parts—1) a switching element, based on noncovalent interactions within the recognition units, which is responsible for executing mechanical movement, and 2) a light-harvesting unit which utilizes light to control the competitive interactions between the recognition sites. We also survey another class of molecular devices, namely molecular rotary motors—i.e., those that behave like their macroscopic counterparts—in which photochemically and thermally induced mechanical movement relies on isomerizations of a pivotal C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond, leading to a rotation of the top propeller part with respect to the stationary bottom part of the helical shaped chiral molecule. (146 references.)

Graphical abstract: Photo-driven molecular devices

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
02 Sep 2006
First published
15 Nov 2006

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2007,36, 77-92

Photo-driven molecular devices

S. Saha and J. F. Stoddart, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2007, 36, 77 DOI: 10.1039/B607187B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements