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A Molecular Shuttle for Driving a Multilevel Fluorescence Switch
Author(s) -
Zhou Weidong,
Li Junbo,
He Xiaorong,
Li Cuihong,
Lv Jing,
Li Yuliang,
Wang Shu,
Liu Huibiao,
Zhu Daoben
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200701105
Subject(s) - rotaxane , deprotonation , chemistry , hydrogen bond , ethylene glycol , protonation , amide , crystallography , photochemistry , stereochemistry , molecule , supramolecular chemistry , ion , organic chemistry , crystal structure
Abstract A [2]rotaxane‐based molecular shuttle comprised a macrocycle mechanically interlocked to a chemical “dumbbell” has been prepared in high yields by a thermodynamically controlled, template‐induced clipping procedure. This molecular shuttle has two different recognition sites, namely, NH 2 + and amide, separated by a phenyl unit. The macrocycle exhibits high selectivity for the NH 2 + recognition sites in the protonated form through noncovalent interactions, which include 1) N + H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds; 2) CH⋅⋅⋅O interactions between the CH 2 NH 2 + CH 2 protons on the thread and the oligo(ethylene glycol) unit in the macrocycle; 3) π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interaction between macrocycle and aromatic unit. Upon deprotonation of the [2]rotaxane the macrocycle glides to the amide recognition site due to the hydrogen bonds between the CONH group and the oligo(ethylene glycol) unit in the macrocycle. The deprotonation process requires about 10 equivalents of base ( i Pr 2 NEt) in polar acetone, while the amount of base is only 1.2 equivalents in apolar tetrachloroethane. Upon addition of Li + , the conformation of the [2]rotaxane was altered as a result of the collective interactions of 1) hydrogen bonds between pyridine nitrogen and amide hydrogen atoms; 2) coordination between the oligo(ethylene glycol) unit, amide oxygen atom and Li + cation. Then, when Zn 2+ ions are added, the macrocycle returns to the deprotonated NH recognition site owing to coordination of the macrocycle and NH from the axle with the Zn 2+ ion. All the above‐mentioned movement processes are reversible through the alternate addition of TFA/ i Pr 2 NEt, Li/[12]‐crown‐4 and Zn 2+ /ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), by virtue of hydrogen bonding and metal‐ion complexation. Significantly, the three independent movement processes are all accompanied by fluorescent responses: 1) complete repression in the protonated form; 2) low‐level expression in the deprotonated form; 3) medium‐level expression following addition of Li + ; 4) high‐level expression on complexation with Zn 2+ .