Light-driven molecular pumps: entanglement of thermodynamic and kinetic effects in the photocontrolled threading-unthreading of pseudorotaxanes.

ABSTRACT: Light-powered molecular pumps represent an intriguing class of artificial nanomachines capable of using the energy of photons to perform directional transport. Pseudorotaxanes composed of macrocyclic crown ethers that encircle axles based on azobenzene photoswitches and secondary ammonium recognition sites have emerged as promising architectures, as light can modulate both the kinetics and thermodynamics of complex formation, thereby enabling directionally biased motion by an energy ratchet mechanism. In this study, we examine the effect of photoisomerization on the threading-unthreading dynamics of a symmetrical axle bearing decoupled azobenzene and dibenzylammonium units. The results are compared with those obtained on a previously reported more compact axle in which the two units share

SUBMITTER: Sachini B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12489447 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature