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Synchronized On/Off Switching of Four Binding Sites for Water in a Molecular Solomon Link
Author(s) -
Caprice Kenji,
Pupier Marion,
Bauzá Antonio,
Frontera Antonio,
Coug Fabien B. L.
Publication year - 2019
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.201902278
Subject(s) - link (geometry) , chemistry , computer science , computer network
A molecular Solomon link adopts different conformations in acetonitrile ( 1 ) and in water ( 2 ). Contrary to expectations, the main driving force of the transformation is not the change in medium polarity, but the cooperative binding of about four molecules of water, forming a tiny droplet in the central cavity of 2 . Mechanistic studies reveal that the four binding sites can simultaneously switch between an inactive state (unable to bind water) and an active state (able to bind water) during the transformation. Spatial and temporal coordination of switching events is commonly observed in biological systems but has been rarely achieved in artificial systems. Here, the concerted activation of the four switchable sites is controlled by the topology of the whole molecule.