Abstract
THE developing field of nanotechnology has generated wide interest across a broad range of scientific disciplines1. In particular, the realization of nanoscale switching devices might have far-reaching implications for computing and biomimetic engineering2–4. But miniaturization of existing semiconductor technology may not be the best approach to the fabrication of structures whose dimensions are smaller than the wavelength of the radiation used in optical lithography and etching techniques5. The approach observed in the natural world, whereby nanostructures are built up through the self-assembly6–9 of smaller molecular entities, holds substantial promise. Nature abounds with molecular switching devices which perform a variety of functions, such as the transport of metabolites across cell membranes or the signalling of nerve impulses. These processes are commonly controlled by stimuli such as changes in ion concentrations and electrical potentials. Here we report the synthesis of a supramolecular structure (compound 1-[PF6]4, Fig. 1A) that can be reversibly switched between two states by proton concentration changes or by electrochemical means. The super-molecule is a rotaxane comprising a molecular ring threaded on an axle containing two ‘docking points’. We can effect controlled switching of the ring from one of these positions to the other. We use 1H NMR and ultra violet/visible spectroscopy to characterize the dynamics of the bead's movement along the thread before and after switching.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Relevant articles
Open Access articles citing this article.
-
Toward steering the motion of surface rolling molecular machines by straining graphene substrate
Scientific Reports Open Access 27 November 2023
-
A comparative review of artificial muscles for microsystem applications
Microsystems & Nanoengineering Open Access 23 November 2021
-
Overtemperature-protection intelligent molecular chiroptical photoswitches
Nature Communications Open Access 10 May 2021
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Crandall, B. C. & Lewis, J. (eds) Nanotechnology (MIT Press, Cambridge, 1992).
Hameroff, S. R. Ultimate Computing: Biomolecular Consciousness and Nanotechnology (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1987).
Drexler, E. Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery, Manufacturing and Computation (Wiley, New York, 1992).
Ball, P. Nature 362, 123 (1993).
Radelaar, S. in Physics and Technology of Semiconductor Quantum Devices (eds Ploog, K. H. & Tapfer, L.) 27–51 (Springer, Berlin, 1993).
Lindsey, J. S. New J. Chem. 15, 153–180 (1991).
Wnitesides, G. M., Mathias, J. P. & Seto, C. T. Science 254, 1312–1319 (1991).
Philip, D. & Stoddart, J. F. Synlett 445–458 (1991).
Lehn, J.-M. Science 260, 1762–1763 (1993).
Schill, G. Catenanes, Rotaxanes, and Knots (Academic, New York, 1971).
Anelli, P. L. et al. J. Am. chem. Soc. 114, 193–218 (1992).
Córdova, E. et al. J. org. Chem. 58, 6550–6552 (1993).
Dietrich-Buchecker, C. O. & Sauvage, J.-P. Chem. Rev. 87, 795–810 (1987).
Chambron, J.-C., Heitz, V. & Sauvage, J.-P. J. Am. chem. Soc. 115, 12378–12384 (1993).
Harada, A., Li, J. & Kamachi, M. Nature 364, 516–518 (1993).
Harada, A., Li, J. & Kamachi, M. Nature 356, 325–327 (1992).
Venkata, T., Rao, S. & Lawrence, D. S. J. Am. chem. Soc. 112, 3614–3615 (1990).
Isnin, R. & Kaifer, A. E. J. Am. chem. Soc. 113, 8188–8190 (1991).
Wylie, R. S. & Macartney, D. H. J. Am. chem. Soc. 114, 3136–3138 (1992).
Wenz, G., Von der Bey, E. & Schmidt, L. Angew. Chem. int. Edn. engl. 31, 783–785 (1992).
Wenz, G. & Keller, B. Angew. Chem. int. Edn. engl. 31, 197–199 (1992).
Odell, B. et al. Angew. Chem. int. Edn. engl. 27, 1547–1550 (1988).
Reddington, M. V., Spencer, N. & Stoddart, J. F. in Inclusion Phenomena and Molecular Recognition (ed. Atwood, J.) 41–48 (Plenum, New York, 1990).
Stoddart, J. F. Chem. Aust. 59, 576–577, and 581 (1992).
Anelli, P. L., Spencer, N. & Stoddart, J. F. J. Am. chem. Soc. 113, 5131–5133 (1991).
Ashton, P. R., Bissell, R. A., Spencer, N., Stoddart, J. F. & Tolley, M. S. Synlett 914–918, and 923–926 (1992).
Vögtle, F., Müller, W. M., Müller, U., Bauer, M. & Rissanen, K. Angew. Chem. int. Edn. engl. 32, 1295–1297 (1993).
Ballardini, R. et al. Angew. Chem. int. Edn. engl. 32, 1301–1303 (1993).
Benniston, A. C. & Harriman, A. Angew. Chem. int. Edn. engl. 32, 1459–1461 (1993).
Ashton, P. et al. J. chem. Soc., chem. Commun. 177–180 (1994).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bissell, R., Córdova, E., Kaifer, A. et al. A chemically and electrochemically switchable molecular shuttle. Nature 369, 133–137 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/369133a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/369133a0
This article is cited by
-
Toward steering the motion of surface rolling molecular machines by straining graphene substrate
Scientific Reports (2023)
-
Electrochemistry of macrocyclic compounds: redox-switchable molecular systems
Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society (2023)
-
From molecular to supramolecular electronics
Nature Reviews Materials (2021)
-
Overtemperature-protection intelligent molecular chiroptical photoswitches
Nature Communications (2021)
-
Radical-pairing-induced molecular assembly and motion
Nature Reviews Chemistry (2021)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
