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Direct Observation of Hemithioindigo‐Motor Unidirectionality
Author(s) -
Huber Ludwig Alexander,
Hoffmann Kerstin,
Thumser Stefan,
Böcher Niklas,
Mayer Peter,
Dube Henry
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201708178
Subject(s) - molecular motor , rotation (mathematics) , supramolecular chemistry , spectroscopy , rotation around a fixed axis , work (physics) , irradiation , steric effects , visible spectrum , catalysis , photocatalysis , materials science , chemistry , nanotechnology , physics , optoelectronics , computer science , stereochemistry , crystallography , classical mechanics , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , crystal structure , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , nuclear physics
Hemithioindigo molecular motors undergo very fast unidirectional rotation upon irradiation with visible light, which has prevented a complete analysis of their working mechanism. In this work, we have considerably slowed down their motion by using a new synthesis for sterically hindered motor derivatives. This method allowed the first observation of all four intermediate states populated during rotation. The exact order in which each isomeric state is formed under irradiation conditions was elucidated using low temperature 1 H NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with other analytical methods. At the same time, complete unidirectionality could also be directly shown. Access to slowly rotating hemithioindigo motors opens up a plethora of new applications for visible‐light‐induced unidirectional motions, especially in areas such as catalysis, smart materials, and supramolecular chemistry.