Abstract

This project focuses on a photoresponsive supramolecular unit, specifically designing and synthesizing a photoswitch functionalised [2]catenane. The molecule features two physically interlocked rings also known as macrocycles that can deform under given wavelength of light, causing the rings to rotate. This is achieved through the reversible photoisomerization of dithienyl-ethene photoswitches integrated into the macrocycles. This gives us the ability for controlled movement by the irradiation of UV or visible light.

The first step of the research was designing a ”prototype” [2]catenane using theoretical calculations. After getting the optimised structures, the synthesis of this molecule was started. This way the synthetic pathway was mapped out for such chemical systems. The prototype molecule was characterized using various analytical methods, such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, NOESY 2D NMR, HPLC, and HR-MS. Subsequently the synthesis of the photoswitch functionalised [2]catenane began, which is currently in progress. Recently, an universally useful dithienyl-ethene molecular switch derivative was succesfully proposed, which could be a promising starting material for other similar structures. So far, the obtained results indicate that this new supramolecular unit is feasible to produce, an theoretical data shows that such chemical systems hold the future for clinical or nanotechnological applications where traditional techniques reach the lower limit of the size, when it comes to machinery.