3.6
Molecular Machines and Molecular Switches
As mentioned before, MIMs could be switched between different co-conformations
by tuning the noncovalent interactions between the interlocked molecular components. First, these different co-conformers, whose covalent structures are essentially
the same, might have dramatically different physical properties, such as color,
luminescence, electric conductivity, hydrophilicity, as well as viscosity. This
Fig. 15 Synthesis of rotaxanes by using a threading-followed-by-stoppering strategy. A 2,6lutidine catalyzed Si–O bond formation is used for the stoppering reaction to capture the rotaxane
structures
3 Host-Guest Chemistry of a Tetracationic Cyclophane, Namely, Cyclobis. . .
67
Molecular Machines and Molecular Switches
As mentioned before, MIMs could be switched between different co-conformations
by tuning the noncovalent interactions between the interlocked molecular components. First, these different co-conformers, whose covalent structures are essentially
the same, might have dramatically different physical properties, such as color,
luminescence, electric conductivity, hydrophilicity, as well as viscosity. This
Fig. 15 Synthesis of rotaxanes by using a threading-followed-by-stoppering strategy. A 2,6lutidine catalyzed Si–O bond formation is used for the stoppering reaction to capture the rotaxane
structures
3 Host-Guest Chemistry of a Tetracationic Cyclophane, Namely, Cyclobis. . .
67