Unravelling the electronic structure and dynamics of an isolated molecular rotary motor in the gas-phase.

ABSTRACT: Light-driven molecular motors derived from chiral overcrowded alkenes are an important class of compounds in which sequential photochemical and thermal rearrangements result in unidirectional rotation of one part of the molecule with respect to another. Here, we employ anion photoelectron spectroscopy to probe the electronic structure and dynamics of a unidirectional molecular rotary motor anion in the gas-phase and quantum chemistry calculations to guide the interpretation of our results. We find that following photoexcitation of the first electronically excited state, the molecule rotates around its axle and some population remains on the excited potential energy surface and some population undergoes internal conversion back to the electronic ground state. These observations are similar

SUBMITTER: Beekmeyer R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5627543 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature