Metal–organic frameworks with dynamic interlocked components
Author: ["V. Nicholas Vukotic","Kristopher J. Harris","Kelong Zhu","Robert W. Schurko","Stephen J. Loeb"]
Publication: Nature Chemistry
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Abstract
The dynamics of mechanically interlocked molecules such as rotaxanes and catenanes have been studied in solution as examples of rudimentary molecular switches and machines, but in this medium, the molecules are randomly dispersed and their motion incoherent. As a strategy for achieving a higher level of molecular organization, we have constructed a metal–organic framework material using a [2]rotaxane as the organic linker and binuclear Cu(II) units as the nodes. Activation of the as-synthesized material creates a void space inside the rigid framework that allows the soft macrocyclic ring of the [2]rotaxane to rotate rapidly, unimpeded by neighbouring molecular components. Variable-temperature 13C and 2H solid-state NMR experiments are used to characterize the nature and rate of the dynamic processes occurring inside this unique material. These results provide a blueprint for the future creation of solid-state molecular switches and molecular machines based on mechanically interlocked molecules. The dynamics of mechanically interlocked molecules such as catenanes and rotaxanes have been studied in solution as examples of rudimentary molecular switches and machines. A metal–organic framework with a [2]rotaxane as a building block demonstrates that such dynamic processes can also operate inside a solid-state material.
Cite this article
Vukotic, V., Harris, K., Zhu, K. et al. Metal–organic frameworks with dynamic interlocked components. Nature Chem 4, 456–460 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1354
