Dynamic control of function by light-driven molecular motors

Mechanical adaptability of artificial muscles from nanoscale molecular action

The motion of artificial molecular machines has been amplified into the shape transformation of polymer materials that have been compared to muscles, where mechanically active molecules work together to produce a contraction. In spite of this progress, harnessing cooperative molecular motion remains a challenge in this field. Here, we show how the light-induced action of artificial molecular switches modifies not only the shape but also, simultaneously, the stiffness of soft materials. The heterogeneous design of these materials features inclusions of free liquid crystal in a liquid crystal polymer network. When the magnitude of the intrinsic interfacial tension is modified by the action of the switches, photo-stiffening is observed, in analogy with the mechanical response of activated muscle fibers, and in contrast to melting mechanisms reported so far. Mechanoadaptive materials that are capable of active tuning of rigidity will likely contribute to a bottom-up approach towards human-friendly and soft robotics.

Structural Evidence of Photoisomerization Pathways in Fluorescent Proteins

Double-bond photoisomerization in molecules such as the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore can occur either via a volume-demanding one-bond-flip pathway or via a volume-conserving hula-twist pathway. Understanding the factors that determine the pathway of photoisomerization would inform the rational design of photoswitchable GFPs as improved tools for super-resolution microscopy. In this communication, we reveal the photoisomerization pathway of a photoswitchable GFP, rsEGFP2, by solving crystal structures of cis and trans rsEGFP2 containing a monochlorinated chromophore. The position of the chlorine substituent in the trans state breaks the symmetry of the phenolate ring of the chromophore and allows us to distinguish the two pathways. Surprisingly, we find that the pathway depends on the arrangement of protein monomers within the crystal lattice: in a looser packing, the one-bond-flip occurs, whereas, in a tighter packing (7% smaller unit cell size), the hula-twist occurs.

Retarded Solid-State Rotations of an Oval-Shaped Guest in a Deformed Cylinder with CH-π Arrays

Upon encapsulating an oval-shaped hydrocarbon guest, a cylindrical host deforms its shape to maximize intermolecular contacts. Structure-assembly relationship studies with a series of hydrocarbon guests disclosed the importance of molecular shapes and CH-π contacts. Multiple contacts and weak CH-π hydrogen bonds resulted in an optimal assembly; however, the shape deformation resulted in severe retardation of rotational motions in the crystal. Thus, unlike a circular guest, the oval-shaped guest did not change its orientation in the host. Unexpectedly, the planar guest did not affect the packing structure to form a double helix in intertwined host arrays.

Construction of Type III-C Rotaxane-Branched Dendrimers and Their Anion-Induced Dimension Modulation Feature

Starting from a novel rotaxane building block with dendrimer growth sites being located at both the wheel and axle component, we realized the successful construction of a new family of rotaxane-branched dendrimers, i.e., Type III-C rotaxane-branched dendrimers, up to fourth generation as a highly branched [46]rotaxane through a controllable divergent approach. In the resultant rotaxane-branched dendrimers, the wheel components of the rotaxane units are located on the branches as well as at the branching points, making them excellent candidates to mimic the amplified collective molecular motions. Thus, taking advantage of the urea moiety inserted into the axle components of the rotaxane units as the binding sites, the addition or removal of acetate anion as stimulus endows the individual rotaxane unit a switchable feature that lead to a collective expansion-contraction motion of the integrated rotaxane-branched dendrimers, thus allowing for the remarkable and reversible size modulation. Such a three-dimensional size switching feature makes Type III-C rotaxane-branched dendrimers a very promising platform toward the fabrication of novel dynamic smart materials.

Photo- and Redox-Driven Artificial Molecular Motors

Directed motion at the nanoscale is a central attribute of life, and chemically driven motor proteins are nature's choice to accomplish it. Motivated and inspired by such bionanodevices, in the past few decades chemists have developed artificial prototypes of molecular motors, namely, multicomponent synthetic species that exhibit directionally controlled, stimuli-induced movements of their parts. In this context, photonic and redox stimuli represent highly appealing modes of activation, particularly from a technological viewpoint. Here we describe the evolution of the field of photo- and redox-driven artificial molecular motors, and we provide a comprehensive review of the work published in the past 5 years. After an analysis of the general principles that govern controlled and directed movement at the molecular scale, we describe the fundamental photochemical and redox processes that can enable its realization. The main classes of light- and redox-driven molecular motors are illustrated, with a particular focus on recent designs, and a thorough description of the functions performed by these kinds of devices according to literature reports is presented. Limitations, challenges, and future perspectives of the field are critically discussed.

Molecular Assembly of Rotary and Linear Motor Proteins

Molecular machines are an important and emerging frontier in research encompassing interdisciplinary subjects of chemistry, physics, biology, and nanotechnology. Although there has been major interest in creating synthetic molecular machines, research on natural molecular machines is also crucial. Biomolecular motors are natural molecular machines existing in nearly every living systems. They play a vital role in almost every essential process ranging from intracellular transport to cell division, muscle contraction and the biosynthesis of ATP that fuels life processes. The construction of biomolecular motor-based biomimetic systems can help not only to deeply understand the mechanisms of motor proteins in the biological process but also to push forward the development of bionics and biomolecular motor-based devices or nanomachines. From combination of natural biomolecular motors with supramolecular chemistry, great opportunities could emerge toward the development of intelligent molecular machines and biodevices. In this Account, we describe our efforts to design and reconstitute biomolecular motor-based active biomimetic systems, in particular, the combination of motor proteins with layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled cellular structures. They are divided into two parts: (i) reconstitution of rotary molecular motor F_OF₁-ATPase, which is coated on the surface of LbL assembled microcapsules or multilayers and synthesizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through creating a proton gradient; (ii) molecular assembly of linear molecular motors, the kinesin-based active biomimetic systems, which are coated on a planar surface or LbL assembled tubular structure and drive the movement of microtubules. LbL assembled structures offer motor proteins with an environment that resembles the natural cell. This enables high activity and optimized function of the motor proteins. The assembled biomolecular motors can mimic their functionalities from the natural system. In addition, LbL assembly provides facile integration of functional components into motor protein-based active biomimetic systems and achieves the manipulation of F_OF₁-ATPase and kinesin. For F_OF₁-ATPase, the light-driven proton gradient and controlled ATP synthesis are highlighted. For kinesin, the strategies used for the direction and velocity control of kinesin-based molecular shuttles are discussed. We hope this research can inspire new ideas and propel the actual applications of biomolecular motor-based devices in the future.

Light-driven molecular switch for reconfigurable spin filters

Artificial molecular switches and machines that enable the directional movements of molecular components by external stimuli have undergone rapid advances over the past several decades. Particularly, overcrowded alkene-based artificial molecular motors are highly attractive from the viewpoint of chirality switching during rotational steps. However, the integration of these molecular switches into solid-state devices is still challenging. Herein, we present an example of a solid-state spin-filtering device that can switch the spin polarization direction by light irradiation or thermal treatment. This device utilizes the chirality inversion of molecular motors as a light-driven reconfigurable spin filter owing to the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect. Through this device, we found that the flexibility at the molecular scale is essential for the electrodes in solid-state devices using molecular machines. The present results are beneficial to the development of solid-state functionalities emerging from nanosized motions of molecular switches.

The chirality provides new route for organic materials to be implemented in the spintronics applications. Here the authors show a solid-state spin-filtering device in an organic spin-valve structure enabled by light irradiation induced change in the chirality of molecule.

Unidirectional rotary motion in a metal-organic framework

Overcrowded alkene-based light-driven molecular motors are able to perform large-amplitude repetitive unidirectional rotations. Their behaviour is well understood in solution. However, Brownian motion precludes the precise positioning at the nanoscale needed to harness cooperative action. Here, we demonstrate molecular motors organized in crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The motor unit becomes a part of the organic linker (or strut), and its spatial arrangement is elucidated through powder and single-crystal X-ray analyses and polarized optical and Raman microscopies. We confirm that the light-driven unidirectional rotation of the motor units is retained in the MOF framework and that the motors can operate in the solid state with similar rotary speed (rate of thermal helix inversion) to that in solution. These 'moto-MOFs' could in the future be used to control dynamic function in crystalline materials.

Visible-Light-Driven Tunable Molecular Motors Based on Oxindole

Molecular rotary motors based on oxindole which can be driven by visible light are presented. This novel class of motors can be easily synthesized via a Knoevenagel condensation, and the choice of different upper halves allows for the facile tuning of their rotational speed. The four-step rotational cycle was explored using DFT calculations, and the expected photochemical and thermal isomerization behavior was confirmed by NMR, UV/vis, and CD spectroscopy. These oxindole motors offer attractive prospects for functional materials responsive to light.

ortho-Fluoroazobenzene derivatives as DNA intercalators for photocontrol of DNA and nucleosome binding by visible light

We report a high-affinity photoswitchable DNA binder, which displays different nucleosome-binding capacities upon visible-light irradiation. Both photochemical and DNA-recognition properties were examined by UV-Vis, HPLC, CD spectroscopy, NMR, FID assays, EMSA and DLS. Our probe sets the basis for developing new optoepigenetic tools for conditional modulation of nucleosomal DNA accessibility.

Photoswitchable catalysis based on the isomerisation of double bonds

Photoswitchable catalysis is a young but rapidly evolving field that offers great potential for non-invasive dynamic control of both activity and selectivity in catalysis. This Feature Article summarises the key developments accomplished over the past years through the incorporation of photoswitchable double bonds into the structure of catalytically competent molecules.

Design of photo-activated molecular machines: highlights from the past ten years

Researchers continue to generate ingenious (supra)molecular structures in which light can trigger controlled and directed movements of the components.

The 3s Rydberg state as a doorway state in the ultrafast dynamics of 1,1-difluoroethylene

The deactivation dynamics of 1,1-difluoroethylene after light excitation is studied within the surface hopping formalism in the presence of 3s and 3p Rydberg states using multi-state second order perturbation theory (MS-CASPT2).

Potential of N-heterocyclic carbene derivatives from Au13(dppe)5Cl2gold superatoms. Evaluation of electronic, optical and chiroptical properties from relativistic DFT

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) introduction into well-defined atomically precise gold superatoms allows efficient control of structural, optical, chiroptical and emission features of the Au₁₃Cl₂core, related to the classical chiral [Au₁₃Cl₂(dppe)₅]³⁺nanocluster.

Machine Metathesis: Thermal and Catalyzed Exchange of Piston Rods in Multicomponent Nanorotor/Nanoslider Ensemble

Three-component nanorotor R1 ( k₂₉₈ = 80 kHz) and two-component slider-on-deck DS2 ( k₂₉₈ = 440 kHz) were prepared from rotator S1 and stator [Cu₃(1)]³⁺ and from S2 and deck D, respectively. Mixing of R1 with DS2 leads to clean metathesis, furnishing the slower nanodevices R2 ( k₂₉₈ = 29.6 kHz) and DS1 ( k₂₉₈ = 32.2 kHz). Exchange of the piston rods S1 and S2 is completed within 22 min (uncatalyzed) or 3 min (catalyzed) at 298 K.

In situ monitoring of molecular aggregation using circular dichroism

The aggregation of molecules plays an important role in determining their function. Electron microscopy and other methods can only characterize the variation of microstructure, but are not capable of monitoring conformational changes. These techniques are also complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Here, we demonstrate a simple method to monitor in-situ and in real-time the conformational change of (R)-1,1'-binaphthyl-based polymers during the aggregation process using circular dichroism. Based on results from molecular dynamics simulations and experimental circular dichroism measurements, polymers with "open" binaphthyl rings are found to show stronger aggregation-annihilated circular dichroism effects, with more negative torsion angles between the two naphthalene rings. In contrast, the polymers with "locked" rings show a more restrained aggregation-annihilated circular dichroism effect, with only a slight change of torsion angle. This work provides an approach to monitor molecular aggregation in a simple, accurate, and efficient way.

Molecular Motors in Aqueous Environment

Molecular motors are Nature's solution for (supra)molecular transport and muscle functioning and are involved in most forms of directional motion at the cellular level. Their synthetic counterparts have also found a myriad of applications, ranging from molecular machines and smart materials to catalysis and anion transport. Although light-driven rotary molecular motors are likely to be suitable for use in an artificial cell, as well as in bionanotechnology, thus far they are not readily applied under physiological conditions. This results mainly from their inherently aromatic core structure, which makes them insoluble in aqueous solution. Here, the study of the dynamic behavior of these motors in biologically relevant media is described. Two molecular motors were equipped with solubilizing substituents and studied in aqueous solutions. Additionally, the behavior of a previously reported molecular motor was studied in micelles, as a model system for the biologically relevant confined environment. Design principles were established for molecular motors in these media, and insights are given into pH-dependent behavior. The work presented herein may provide a basis for the application of the remarkable properties of molecular motors in more advanced biohybrid systems.

A macrocyclic receptor containing two viologen species connected by conjugated terphenyl groups

A macrocyclic receptor molecule containing two viologen species connected by conjugated terphenyl groups has been designed and synthesised. The single-crystal X-ray structure shows that the two viologen residues have a transannular NN separation of ca. 7.4 Å. Thus, the internal cavity dimensions are suitable for the inclusion of π-electron-rich species. The macrocycle is redox active, and can accept electrons from suitable donor species including triethylamine, resulting in a dramatic colour change from pale yellow to dark green as a consequence of the formation of a paramagnetic bis(radical cationic) species. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the macrocycle can undergo two sequential and reversible reduction processes (E1/2 = -0.65 and -0.97 V vs. Fc/Fc+). DFT and TD-DFT studies accurately replicate the structure of the tetracationic macrocycle and the electronic absorption spectra of the three major redox states of the system. These calculations also showed that during electrochemical reduction, the unpaired electron density of the radical cations remained relatively localised within the heterocyclic rings. The ability of the macrocycle to form supramolecular complexes was confirmed by the formation of a pseudorotaxane with a guest molecule containing a π-electron-rich 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene derivative. Threading and dethreading of the pseudorotaxane was fast on the NMR timescale, and the complex exhibited an association constant of 150 M-1 (±30 M-1) as calculated from 1H NMR titration studies.

Cation-Modulated Rotary Speed in a Light-Driven Crown Ether Functionalized Molecular Motor

The design and synthesis of an overcrowded-alkene based molecular motor featuring a crown ether integrated in its stator structure has been accomplished. The photostationary state ratios and rotational speed of this motor can be modulated by cation coordination to the crown ether moiety, which can be reversed upon the addition of a competing chelating agent, thus achieving a dynamic control over the rotational behavior of the motor.

Molecular rotary motors: Unidirectional motion around double bonds

The field of synthetic molecular machines has quickly evolved in recent years, growing from a fundamental curiosity to a highly active field of chemistry. Many different applications are being explored in areas such as catalysis, self-assembled and nanostructured materials, and molecular electronics. Rotary molecular motors hold great promise for achieving dynamic control of molecular functions as well as for powering nanoscale devices. However, for these motors to reach their full potential, many challenges still need to be addressed. In this paper we focus on the design principles of rotary motors featuring a double-bond axle and discuss the major challenges that are ahead of us. Although great progress has been made, further design improvements, for example in terms of efficiency, energy input, and environmental adaptability, will be crucial to fully exploit the opportunities that these rotary motors offer.

Revolving supramolecular chiral structures powered by light in nanomotor-doped liquid crystals

Molecular machines operated by light have been recently shown to be able to produce oriented motion at the molecular scale^1,2 as well as do macroscopic work when embedded in supramolecular structures^3-5. However, any supramolecular movement irremediably ceases as soon as the concentration of the interconverting molecular motors or switches reaches a photo-stationary state^6,7. To circumvent this limitation, researchers have typically relied on establishing oscillating illumination conditions-either by modulating the source intensity^8,9 or by using bespoke illumination arrangements^10-13. In contrast, here we report a supramolecular system in which the emergence of oscillating patterns is encoded at the molecular level. Our system comprises chiral liquid crystal structures that revolve continuously when illuminated, under the action of embedded light-driven molecular motors. The rotation at the supramolecular level is sustained by the diffusion of the motors away from a localized illumination area. Above a critical irradiation power, we observe a spontaneous symmetry breaking that dictates the directionality of the supramolecular rotation. The interplay between the twist of the supramolecular structure and the diffusion ¹⁴ of the chiral molecular motors creates continuous, regular and unidirectional rotation of the liquid crystal structure under non-equilibrium conditions.