180 degree unidirectional bond rotation in a biaryl lactone artificial molecular motor prototype

Org Lett. 2006 Dec 7;8(25):5841-4. doi: 10.1021/ol062428u.

Abstract

A bifunctional biaryl lactone has been synthesized that should be capable of iterative unidirectional aryl-aryl bond rotation via: (1) a diastereoselective lactone ring opening, (S)-1 to (P,S)-2 or (M,S)-2; (2) a chemoselective lactonization, (P,S)-2 or (M,S)-2 to (S)-3; and (3) a chemoselective hydrolysis, (S)-3 to (S)-1. Preliminary results of a racemic sample have indicated unidirectional 180 degrees rotation with very high directional selectivity per individual artificial molecular motor molecule through the first two steps of this sequence. [reaction: see text]

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Borohydrides / chemistry
  • Hydrolysis
  • Kinetics
  • Lactones / chemical synthesis*
  • Lactones / chemistry
  • Models, Molecular
  • Solubility
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Borohydrides
  • Lactones
  • sodium borohydride