Controlling the preferential motion of chiral molecular walkers on a surface

Molecular machines working at interfaces: physics, chemistry, evolution and nanoarchitectonics

As a post-nanotechnology concept, nanoarchitectonics combines nanotechnology with advanced materials science. Molecular machines made by assembling molecular units and their organizational bodies are also products of nanoarchitectonics. They can be regarded as the smallest functional materials. Originally, studies on molecular machines analyzed the average properties of objects dispersed in solution by spectroscopic methods. Researchers' playgrounds partially shifted to solid interfaces, because high-resolution observation of molecular machines is usually done on solid interfaces under high vacuum and cryogenic conditions. Additionally, to ensure the practical applicability of molecular machines, operation under ambient conditions is necessary. The latter conditions are met in dynamic interfacial environments such as the surface of water at room temperature. According to these backgrounds, this review summarizes the trends of molecular machines that continue to evolve under the concept of nanoarchitectonics in interfacial environments. Some recent examples of molecular machines in solution are briefly introduced first, which is followed by an overview of studies of molecular machines and similar supramolecular structures in various interfacial environments. The interfacial environments are classified into (i) solid interfaces, (ii) liquid interfaces, and (iii) various material and biological interfaces. Molecular machines are expanding their activities from the static environment of a solid interface to the more dynamic environment of a liquid interface. Molecular machines change their field of activity while maintaining their basic functions and induce the accumulation of individual molecular machines into macroscopic physical properties molecular machines through macroscopic mechanical motions can be employed to control molecular machines. Moreover, research on molecular machines is not limited to solid and liquid interfaces; interfaces with living organisms are also crucial.

Following a Silent Metal Ion: A Combined X-ray Absorption and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Study of the Zn2+ Cation Dissipative Translocation between Two Different Ligands

The dissipative translocation of the Zn2+ ion between two prototypical coordination complexes has been investigated by combining X-ray absorption and 1H NMR spectroscopy. An integrated experimental and theoretical approach, based on state-of-the-art Multivariate Curve Resolution and DFT based theoretical analyses, is presented as a means to understand the concentration time evolution of all relevant Zn and organic species in the investigated processes, and accurately characterize the solution structures of the key metal coordination complexes. Specifically, we investigate the dissipative translocation of the Zn2+ cation from hexaaza-18-crown-6 to two terpyridine moieties and back again to hexaaza-18-crown-6 using 2-cyano-2-phenylpropanoic acid and its para-chloro derivative as fuels. Our interdisciplinary approach has been proven to be a valuable tool to shed light on reactive systems containing metal ions that are silent to other spectroscopic methods. These combined experimental approaches will enable future applications to chemical and biological systems in a predictive manner.

Light-controlled micron-scale molecular motion

The micron-scale movement of biomolecules along supramolecular pathways, mastered by nature, is a remarkable system requiring strong yet reversible interactions between components under the action of a suitable stimulus. Responsive microscopic systems using a variety of stimuli have demonstrated impressive relative molecular motion. However, locating the position of a movable object that travels along self-assembled fibres under an irresistible force has yet to be achieved. Here, we describe a purely supramolecular system where a molecular 'traveller' moves along a 'path' over several microns when irradiated with visible light. Real-time imaging of the motion in the solvated state using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy shows that anionic porphyrin molecules move along the fibres of a bis-imidazolium gel upon irradiation. Slight solvent changes mean movement and restructuring of the fibres giving microtoroids, indicating control of motion by fibre mechanics with solvent composition. The insight provided here may lead to the development of artificial travellers that can perform catalytic and other functions.

Using multiple self-sorting for switching functions in discrete multicomponent systems

Over years self-sorting has developed into a powerful tool in supramolecular chemistry, for instance, to promote the error-free formation of intricate multicomponent assemblies. However, in order to use the enormous potential of self-sorting for sophisticated information processing more recent developments have focused on the reversible reconfiguration of multicomponent systems driven by multiple self-sorting protocols. The present mini review will provide an overview over the latest advancements in this field with a focus on reversibly switchable functions in discrete supramolecular systems.

The evolution of molecular machines through interfacial nanoarchitectonics: from toys to tools

Molecular machines are often regarded as molecular artworks and sometimes as fancy molecular toys. However, many researchers strive to operate molecular machines as useful tools for realistic practical applications. In this perspective article, shifting the working environment of molecular machines from solution to interfacial media is discussed from the viewpoint of their evolution from scientific toys to useful tools. Following a short description of traditional research into molecular machines in solution and their nanotechnological manipulation on clean solid surfaces, pioneering research into molecular machine operation at dynamic interfaces, such as liquid surfaces, is discussed, along with cutting-edge research into molecular machine functions in living cells and their models. Biomolecular machines within organisms are the products of evolution over billions of years. We may nanoarchitect such sophisticated functional systems with artificial molecular machines within much shorter periods.

Externally driven molecular ratchets on a periodic potential surface: a rate equations approach

The long time dynamics of molecular ratchets on a 1D periodic potential energy surface (PES) subjected to an external stimulus is studied using the rate equation method. The PES consisting of repeated waveforms made of two peaks is considered as an example of a spatially symmetric or asymmetric PES. This PES may, for example, correspond to diffusion of a bipedal molecule that moves along an atomic track via an inchworm walk mechanism [Raval et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2015, 54, 7101]. Generalisation to a PES consisting of an arbitrary number of peaks of various heights is straightforward. Assuming the validity of the transition state theory (TST) for the calculation of the transition rates between neighbouring potential wells, the probability of occupying each type of potential well on the PES is obtained analytically, and then the net current for the molecules to move preferentially in a particular direction under application of external fields over a long time is derived. Note that different to methods based on solving numerically the corresponding Fokker-Plank equation, our method is entirely analytical in the limit of weak external fields. The results of the analytical calculations are compared with the exact numerical solution of the derived rate equations. The following external stimuli are considered: constant, sinusoidal and shifted sinusoidal fields due to either a spatially uniform thermal gradient or an electrostatic field. The possible applications of the method for extracting energy from the Brownian motion under load and separating molecules of different chiralities on the surface are also discussed.