An ultrafast surface-bound photo-active molecular motor

Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2014 Feb;13(2):241-6. doi: 10.1039/c3pp50208b.

Abstract

We report the synthesis and surface attachment of an ultrafast light-driven rotary molecular motor. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the half-life of the rate determining thermal step of the rotary cycle in solution is 38 ± 1 ns, the shortest yet observed, making this the fastest molecular motor reported. Incorporation of acetylene legs into the structure allowed the motors to be grafted to azide-modified quartz and silicon substrates using the "click" 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylene / chemistry*
  • Azides / chemistry
  • Light*
  • Quartz / chemistry
  • Rotation
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Azides
  • Quartz
  • Acetylene
  • Silicon