Issue 38, 2010

Mechanistic insight into light-driven molecular rotors: a conformational search in chiral overcrowded alkenes by a pseudo-random approach

Abstract

Chiral overcrowded alkenes are capable of unidirectional rotation via a series of cis-trans photochemical and helix-inversion thermal steps. Using a pseudo-random conformational search we have located different ground state minima belonging to the potential energy surface of two different overcrowded alkenes that function as molecular rotors. The transition states connecting the minima allow identifying different reaction pathways which are possible in the thermal helix-inversion steps. The mechanisms found for the two studied molecular rotors are different and provide a valuable insight into the conformational dynamics of the rotary cycle. While in one case the thermal step occurs via a single transition state, in the other, several intermediates are accessible. The associated energy barriers are in agreement with the experimental values, supporting the proposed mechanisms.

Graphical abstract: Mechanistic insight into light-driven molecular rotors: a conformational search in chiral overcrowded alkenes by a pseudo-random approach

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Apr 2010
Accepted
15 Jul 2010
First published
16 Aug 2010

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010,12, 12279-12289

Mechanistic insight into light-driven molecular rotors: a conformational search in chiral overcrowded alkenes by a pseudo-random approach

G. Pérez-Hernández and L. González, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010, 12, 12279 DOI: 10.1039/C0CP00324G

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