Berrocal JA, Pfeifer L, Heijnen D, Feringa BL. Synthesis of Core-Modified Third-Generation Light-Driven Molecular Motors.
J Org Chem 2020;
85:10670-10680. [PMID:
32691601 PMCID:
PMC7445741 DOI:
10.1021/acs.joc.0c01235]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis and characterization of a series of light-driven third-generation molecular motors featuring various structural modifications at the central aromatic core are presented. We explore a number of substitution patterns, such as 1,2-dimethoxybenzene, naphthyl, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,1':2',1″-terphenyl, 4,4″-dimethoxy-1,1':2',1″-terphenyl, and 1,2-dicarbomethoxybenzene, considered essential for designing future responsive systems. In many cases, the synthetic routes for both synthetic intermediates and motors reported here are modular, allowing for their post-functionalization. The structural modifications introduced in the core of the motors result in improved solubility and a bathochromic shift of the absorption maxima. These features, in combination with a structural design that presents remote functionalization of the stator with respect to the fluorene rotors, make these novel motors particularly promising as light-responsive actuators in covalent and supramolecular materials.
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