Synthesis of functionalized [2]rotaxanes and their potential use in ion transport and atomic force microscopy

• Main Author: Bertocco, Andrea
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2007
• Subjects: 547.6
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.641568

The synthesis and characterization of molecules possessing moving parts is a great area of interest: these molecules can act as “molecular machines” carrying out tasks that molecules with fixed conventional architectures cannot do. Chapter one gives a brief introduction to rotaxanes as unique and suitable systems for the construction of molecular machines. A further development of functionalized fumaramide-based molecular shuttles and a study of their properties are also described. Chapter two: Synthesis of functionalized [2]rotaxanes describes new routes for the functionalization of [2]rotaxanes, reporting the synthesis of systems which contain mono- and di-functionalized benzylic amide macrocycles; this approach opens a new frontier in the development of such compounds. Chapter three: Synthesis of Membrane Spanning rotaxanes reports the use of stimuli-responsive molecular shuttles based on long threads and their potential use in ion transport. This system has been titled a “Membrane Spanning Rotaxane”. A brief introduction to ion transport across cell membranes illustrates the ion transporters activity and mechanism which inspired the design of the Membrane Spanning Rotaxanes. Chapter four: Single Molecule Experiments on a Surface Attachable Bistable Molecular Shuttle (SABMS) is concerned with the synthesis of a Surface-Attachable stimuli-responsive molecular shuttle wherein the shuttling of the benzylic amide macrocycle along the two stations is measured through Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy. A brief introduction into Atomic Force Microscopy and Chemical Force Microscopy is given for this project.