Swiss Science Concentrates

I. Pochorovski, M.-O. Ebert, J.-P. Gisselbrecht, C. Boudon, W. B. Schweizer, and F. Diederich*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 14702. ETH Zürich and Université de Strasbourg (F) Devising molecular machines is a fascinating and fast-growing field in organic and supramolecular chemistry. In this paper Diederich and co-workers describe the preparation and behavior of novel resorcin[4]arene cavitands that act as molecular grippers, opening and closing upon a change in redox state of their quinone walls. A change in the oxidation state allows formation of intramolecular H–bonds that are responsible for the conformational switching process from a kite to a vase shape. Interestingly, these molecular grippers are able to grab and release guest molecules, demonstrating fascinating potential for a wide range of applications in nanorobotics and other areas.